Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Best DSP Fire wire Interface???? Metric halo or Apogee??

Undiscovered · 24th November 2009

Ok I know this topic has been discussed before.
I read all those threads. Most are from 2007.
Anyway now we are approaching 2010. What interface is currently the best.
I will be running Logic pro 9 on a new I7 Imac.
I really want a interface with great AD DA converters, DSP and fire wire (because Imac does not have PCI inputs) I will be daisy chaining the fire wire interface with an external hard drive, or buying a external fire wire hub.

I want DSP so I can give my performers a good headphone mix of reverb when they sing and some distortion and amp effects for when they play guitar in real time.
I love the idea of real time effects so I can monitor wet and record dry into logic with no latency.
I don't really care as much about preamp quality on the interface because I have an out board Vintech x73i and Distressor EL8X for my vocal chain.
I really want very good AD DA converters though.

I know Apogee does not have a DSP chip in there devices but I know they have high quality converters.

I know that Metric halo has a 2d Xpanded card in some devices and I know they have good converters.

I love the routing options on both Apogee and Metric halo even though I was a little bummed to see that the Metric halos only comes with 1 headphone amp. I would prefer 2 headphone out puts with different cue mixes. 1 for me and 1 for the performer when recording.

Other than that I think the Metric halo could be the one. I just don't know which model. The ULN-2 DSP or 2882 DSP???
I will mostly only record 2 inputs at a time, and one input would be my Vintech distressor chain.

Is the apogee ensemble worth it over the Metric halo because of superior converters even though it lacks the Dsp, or is the Metric halo just as good converter wise and has the added convenience of DSP.

Please enlighten me with your opinions based on my situation.

Thank you in advance.

24th November 2009	#1
Undiscovered Gear nut Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 121 Thread Starter	Best DSP Fire wire Interface???? Metric halo or Apogee?? Ok I know this topic has been discussed before. I read all those threads. Most are from 2007. Anyway now we are approaching 2010. What interface is currently the best. I will be running Logic pro 9 on a new I7 Imac. I really want a interface with great AD DA converters, DSP and fire wire (because Imac does not have PCI inputs) I will be daisy chaining the fire wire interface with an external hard drive, or buying a external fire wire hub. I want DSP so I can give my performers a good headphone mix of reverb when they sing and some distortion and amp effects for when they play guitar in real time. I love the idea of real time effects so I can monitor wet and record dry into logic with no latency. I don't really care as much about preamp quality on the interface because I have an out board Vintech x73i and Distressor EL8X for my vocal chain. I really want very good AD DA converters though. I know Apogee does not have a DSP chip in there devices but I know they have high quality converters. I know that Metric halo has a 2d Xpanded card in some devices and I know they have good converters. I love the routing options on both Apogee and Metric halo even though I was a little bummed to see that the Metric halos only comes with 1 headphone amp. I would prefer 2 headphone out puts with different cue mixes. 1 for me and 1 for the performer when recording. Other than that I think the Metric halo could be the one. I just don't know which model. The ULN-2 DSP or 2882 DSP??? I will mostly only record 2 inputs at a time, and one input would be my Vintech distressor chain. Is the apogee ensemble worth it over the Metric halo because of superior converters even though it lacks the Dsp, or is the Metric halo just as good converter wise and has the added convenience of DSP. Please enlighten me with your opinions based on my situation. Thank you in advance.