U$1500 for PREAMP/AUDIO INTERFACE.. get seperate or a RME FIREFACE?

[Kompakt]

I got U$1500 .. and all i lack now in my new home studio is an audio interface and a microphone preamp. I just need to record serious pro-quality vocals, NOTHING ELSE!

should I get

RME FIREFACE 800 for $1200 .. and then later upgrade to better preamp.

OR

Grace 101/True Systems P-solo preamp and EMU 1212M?

RME Fireface has one of the best convertors while the Grace/True Systems offer pro-class preamps. Tough decision!

Kindly help me out please!!

___________________________________________________

What i have so far:

Pentium D Dual Core 2GB RAM, 3.40GHZ, 20" Widescreen
Rode K2 Tube Condensor Microphone
Samson CO3 Condensor Microphone
Senheiser HD465 Headphones
Yamaha S12E 12" Power Woofer Speakers (rehearsal)
Yamaha EMX 88S Powered Mixer (rehearsal)
Fostex MKII PM1 Studio Monitors
___________________________________________________

[Bixby]

Why pay for an interface that has 4 preamps and up to 28 channels of input when all you need is one of each?

[redddog]

Given your needs, option 2 is clearly better. Although, you've listed 2 preamps that are very clean. I would suggest going with the P-solo (or the Grace) and getting something with a little color for the other pre.

[Lander]

How about a Lynx One

The preamp will depend on your voice and what sound you're looking for.

[dickiefunk]

The Lynx audio interface cards really are another step up from RME and to be honest there's not much better full stop so I second going for one of these plus any of the following pres:-

SPL Gainstation
True Systems SOLO
DAV BG1
Grace 101

Have you treated the Acoustics of your vocal room? This would make a bigger difference to your vocal recordings than using any of this high end gear.

[jdier]

In my overdub studio (read: extra bedroom) I have a 1212U and use an FMR RNP with a FMR RNLA. This is still in your price range and give you a lot of flexibility. I like the 1212U a lot. While it was tough to initially get the software set up correctly (as I wanted it) their tech support was GREAT and once I was up and running I have not had so much as a hick up or blip.

I also vote for your option #2.

[Kompakt]

Thanks for the opinions!

I think I should go for the Option 2..

Im certain on True systems P-solo for the preamp..

I now have around $700 to spend on a good audio interface/soundcard which has excellent convertors to take the sound from a Rode K2 tube through the P-solo preamp..

what do you recommend? i was sure on the EMU 1212M but its only $150 ..

[opium89]

If all you're doing is vocals get yourself a mini-me.

[Lander]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

Thanks for the opinions!

I think I should go for the Option 2..

Im certain on True systems P-solo for the preamp..

I now have around $700 to spend on a good audio interface/soundcard which has excellent convertors to take the sound from a Rode K2 tube through the P-solo preamp..

what do you recommend? i was sure on the EMU 1212M but its only $150 ..

Sound blaster Pro?

Did you check out the Lynx One in my earlier post?

[jdier]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

Thanks for the opinions!

I think I should go for the Option 2..

Im certain on True systems P-solo for the preamp..

I now have around $700 to spend on a good audio interface/soundcard which has excellent convertors to take the sound from a Rode K2 tube through the P-solo preamp..

what do you recommend? i was sure on the EMU 1212M but its only $150 ..

I only have experience with Aardvark stuff (out of business,) the 1212 and RME.

To be honest, I have a tough time telling the difference when I am using the same preamp. I will say that I am very pleased with the 1212 driver stability.

Good Luck.

[dickiefunk]

The EMU is an nice interface but there are better ones for $700! If you want to keep your budget down then I would recommend the Echo stuff ( www.echoaudio.com )! The Layla 3G has slightly better A/D D/A converters and has the same converters as their flagship Audiofire 12. It has 8 analogue I/O, 8 ADAT I/O and midi! 2 of the I/O are mic pre/ jack combo. Check out the threads for the Layla 3G here and also there was a thread where someone did a shootout with the Audiofire 12 and the RME Fireface800 and the Audiofire came out favourably!!
If you want to spend more then check out the Lynx cards! These are at the top end of the seriously pro interfaces! If you can get a Lynx 2 ( not 1 ) for $700 then I would snap it up!
The RME stuff is also excellent but am not convinced you get a step up in audio quality for the extra cost?
True Systems P-Solo + Lynx 2 or Layla 3G would be an excellent setup.

[redddog]

I'll throw down for the Audiofire. I have the AF 12 and I sold my FF800 when I heard it. Simply great, underrated converters. I read a shootout that had the AF12 going up against the Apogee ad16x and nearly everyone picked the AF 12.

FWIW.

I love mine.

[Kompakt]

F*ck EMU
F*ck Agogee minime
F*ck Lynx
F*ck Motu

Im goin for Echo Audiofire 2.

Did a testout today at the shop, it came out the best. plus everyone recommends audiofire 2 over the Lynx l22 because it is an external standalone unit and therefore has less noise than the Lynx which is a PCI firewire card.

im seriously impressed by echo audiofire's convertors...simply amazing for the price, god damn!

[Lander]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

F*ck EMU
F*ck Agogee minime
F*ck Lynx
F*ck Motu

Im goin for Echo Audiofire 2.

Did a testout today at the shop, it came out the best. plus everyone recommends audiofire 2 over the Lynx l22 because it is an external standalone unit and therefore has less noise than the Lynx which is a PCI firewire card.

im seriously impressed by echo audiofire's convertors...simply amazing for the price, god damn!

Eh? Less noise??? First time I ever heard that

P.S. Watch cho language. This is a gentleman's forum fuuck LOL!

[briefcasemanx]

Originally Posted by Kompakt

F*ck EMU
F*ck Agogee minime
F*ck Lynx
F*ck Motu

Im goin for Echo Audiofire 2.

Did a testout today at the shop, it came out the best. plus everyone recommends audiofire 2 over the Lynx l22 because it is an external standalone unit and therefore has less noise than the Lynx which is a PCI firewire card.

im seriously impressed by echo audiofire's convertors...simply amazing for the price, god damn!

what exactly did you test it on?

[EgyptionRing]

I emailed echo once and asked them if the converter chips in AF2 were the same as AF8 & 12. They said 'no' they wern't but I believe they are still good. Would like to hear one.

[electric]

>>>I just need to record serious pro-quality vocals, NOTHING ELSE!

to do this you will need to spend a little bit more money if you want to purchase new. if i were you i would be patient and buy used.

if buying new:

mytek 2 channel 96k ad: 900
averill 312a pre: 950
-----------------------------
1850

or

mytek 2 channel ad:900
great river me1nv 1075
-----------------------------
1975

or buy a used lunchbox (under 300.00 and a 500 series pre of your choice. next mic pre will be even cheaper since you have the supply)

also the chandler germanium looks dope. my guess is that it will have a very pleasant color for vocals.

if you are patient and buy used you would save at least 25%. put a post in the classifieds on what you are looking for. someone is always selling. dont spend 1500.00 on some half ass stuff. you dont need to. somebody was selling an old school audio pre L3 (the monster) for like 480.00. c'mon now!

electric

[Brian Middleton]

Originally Posted by electric

if buying new:

lavry 2 channel ad: 900

????

Where did you see this price? The lowest I've ever seen is in the $1500's....

[electric]

my bad...i meant mytek. (i have a lavry and for some reason always misktake the two)

meant the mytek stereo96
http://www.atlasproaudio.com/mytek.html
$900

editing above post

electric