RME only, RME + Focusrite, or Focusrite only : PC system ?

MrTNT · 16th February 2007, 01:50 PM

Hi,
this is my question.
I have about ~~ 1400 EUR in my pants...
and I wish to buy something-firewire which is really STABLE & GOOD for my PC (Windows XP, SP2, Intel C2D E6400 2.13 GHz, 2 GB RAM)... with the solid sound quality...

so I have the 3 choices in my town:

1) RME only = RME Fireface 800 = ~~ 1220 EUR

2) RME Fireface 400 (~~ 850 EUR) plus Focusrite Twintrak Pro 2-chan. preamp (~~550 EUR) = ~~ 1400 EUR

3) Focusrite only = Focusrite Saffire PRO 26 I/O (~~ 650 EUR) plus Focusrite Twintrak Pro 2-chan. preamp (~~550 EUR) = ~~ 1200 EUR

...

So,
what do you think, (1), (2) or (3) ? Which is the best choice for the home project studio, and for the budget of only 1400 EUR ?

Please, send here what do you think about these 3.

Thanks, good luck,

...
MrTNT

macleod · 16th February 2007, 01:56 PM

I would go for option1.

anything focusrite that is not isa or red is most likely to be a piece of crap.

K

NathanC · 16th February 2007, 02:21 PM

+1 RME Fireface800

Good drivers, good convertors, and you can always upgrade to better preamps (not the cheaper Focusrite ones) later.

**DrDeltaM** · 16th February 2007, 02:23 PM

Also look at Mackie. The ONYX preamps on their interfaces are very decent. I have an RME FF800 myself, but I never use the preamps. I see them as an 'extra', and they are defenately the weakest part of the Fireface. I bought it for the convertors.

androlic · 16th February 2007, 02:23 PM

maybe a bit off topic..

don´t know if the fireface has the same pres built in as the octapre - but:

i had to do recordings with an octapre once and i found the pres clean and neutral sounding on the one hand but on the other hand was it very difficult to dial in the right amount of gain, becouse 90% of the dial no big gain changes happen and on the small end of the dial there was huge gain-jumps, i was dissapointed

cheers

MrTNT · 16th February 2007, 02:42 PM

Many Thanks !
Great !

Looks like the RME Fireface 800 is the best choice for the home project studio ! (?)
I have heard about the unbeatable stability of FF 800 on the PC Windows XP.

...

MrTNT

tnjazz · 16th February 2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macleod

I would go for option1.

anything focusrite that is not isa or red is most likely to be a piece of crap.

K

This is reasonably true, but the jury's still out on the Saffire Pro 26. We have one, but we haven't really had a chance to put it through its paces just yet. The reviews I've seen of it have been fairly positive so far though.

I would agree about the rest of the Focusrite stuff.

RME gear is quality. I didn't care for the Fireface 800 myself, but every other piece of RME gear I owned was rock solid and sounded great.

camerondye · 16th February 2007, 03:05 PM

I am pretty much new to this whole recording thing and the FF800 hasn't given me any issues. It is easy to set up, easy to run and has been flawless for me. It is probably the piece of gear that I have been most impressed with.
Cameron

-momo- · 16th February 2007, 03:33 PM

I have a Saffire Pro 26 I/O. Love it so far.

I've documented my journey here, FWIW:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=98727

jslevin · 16th February 2007, 04:05 PM

All things being equal, I'd go with the Fireface 800. But you should understand that that won't give you even one good preamp. I think that's a problem, but I don't think a TwinTrak would be the answer anyway.

JSL

terminal3 · 16th February 2007, 10:27 PM

yeah, the saffire range is decent IMHO (I own an original Saffire).

the platinum range, on the other hand, is pretty much terrible. I've heard a couple pieces but the electronics are similar across the whole range.

classicalrecord · 18th February 2007, 05:00 AM

get the FF400 and add in a DAV bg1-- i think that should still be in your range and that gives you two very good channels, two decent channels and the flexibility to expand into the future. i have the four channel DAV going into my ff400... if you can't get good recordings with that setup, the gear isn't the problem.

MrTNT · 19th February 2007, 07:23 PM

momo, tnjazz, SAFFIRE PRO 26 I/O happy owners,

is SAFFIRE PRO 26 able to put down THE LATENCY

to 1.5 ms

or

to 2 ms

in 24 bit / 96 KHz recording mode
(for example, in Steinberg Nuendo 3) ?

............................................. ................

For the RME FF800 this is very EASY.

And you don't need the Intel E6600 2.4 Ghz Core2Duo to make this on FF800.

............................................. ................

Thanks, all the best,

MrTNT

-momo- · 19th February 2007, 10:32 PM

Mr. TNT,

Nope, it won't. I get 3ms in and 5ms out tracking 10 channels in Cubase 3 - more than adequate for live monitoring. I've never seen anything get lower than 3ms, not in this price range anyway, so if you're currently getting 1.5 (or more importantly, if you can actually hear 3ms of latency, cause I sure can't), then I'd stay with whatever you have.

MrTNT · 21st February 2007, 06:23 PM

momo,

for me the maximum acceptable latency is

2 ms IN

2 ms OUT

..........................

TOTAL = 4 ms

..........................

IF

the Saffire Pro 26 IO can put down the Latency to this value in 24/96 recording mode

in Steinberg Nuendo 3

on the

PC / Windows XP SP2

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
2GB RAM (667)

(For the RME FF800 and FF400 this is NOT the problem !)

THEN

I will buy this thing RIGHT NOW !!!

...

Thanks,

all the best,

MrTNT

-momo- · 21st February 2007, 11:46 PM

Mr.TNT

If I actually owned your exact machine and host specification, I could try to answer your question. I don't, so I can't. All I can tell you are the results I get with my specs, which I've done.

Maybe contact Focusrite?

MrTNT · 22nd February 2007, 10:15 AM

OK,

I just sent this message to the FOCUSRITE:

...

Dear Sirs,
Dear Focusrite,

Is the Saffire Pro 26 IO able to put down the Latency to this value in 24/96 recording mode

2 ms IN

2 ms OUT

..........................

TOTAL = 4 ms

..........................

in Steinberg Nuendo 3 (ASIO drivers)

on the

PC / Windows XP SP2

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
2GB RAM (667)

(I can get these results with the RME Fireface800 and Fireface400 !)

...

I will buy Saffire Pro 26 IO right now, if I can get these results !
All other parameters (AD, DA, mic pre-amps, etc.) are very good, acceptable,
but what is about the Latency ?

...
All the best,
Thanks,
Mr. ...
producer and guitarist

etc. etc.

...

So,

we will see what is the answer from the FOCUSRITE...

...

All the best,

MrTNT

Jabbaz · 22nd February 2007, 06:28 PM

I'd buy an FMR RNP and then base my decision on which interface to buy on how much $ you have left.

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16th February 2007, 01:50 PM	#1
MrTNT Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 27	RME only, RME + Focusrite, or Focusrite only : PC system ? Hi, this is my question. I have about ~~ 1400 EUR in my pants... and I wish to buy something-firewire which is really STABLE & GOOD for my PC (Windows XP, SP2, Intel C2D E6400 2.13 GHz, 2 GB RAM)... with the solid sound quality... so I have the 3 choices in my town: 1) RME only = RME Fireface 800 = ~~ 1220 EUR 2) RME Fireface 400 (~~ 850 EUR) plus Focusrite Twintrak Pro 2-chan. preamp (~~550 EUR) = ~~ 1400 EUR 3) Focusrite only = Focusrite Saffire PRO 26 I/O (~~ 650 EUR) plus Focusrite Twintrak Pro 2-chan. preamp (~~550 EUR) = ~~ 1200 EUR ... So, what do you think, (1), (2) or (3) ? Which is the best choice for the home project studio, and for the budget of only 1400 EUR ? Please, send here what do you think about these 3. Thanks, good luck, ... MrTNT

16th February 2007, 02:23 PM	#4
DrDeltaM Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Belgium Posts: 3,619	Also look at Mackie. The ONYX preamps on their interfaces are very decent. I have an RME FF800 myself, but I never use the preamps. I see them as an 'extra', and they are defenately the weakest part of the Fireface. I bought it for the convertors. __________________ Mathijs Indesteege aka Mathew Lane mixing - mastering - audio restoration - plugins http://www.mathewlane.com DrMS. Focus on your stereo field. DrMS spatial processor RTAS/AU/VST plugin » Digital Audio Product Support Joystick Audio - Benelux High End Distributor http://www.joystick.be

16th February 2007, 10:27 PM	#11
terminal3 Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,622	focusrite yeah, the saffire range is decent IMHO (I own an original Saffire). the platinum range, on the other hand, is pretty much terrible. I've heard a couple pieces but the electronics are similar across the whole range.

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16th February 2007, 01:56 PM	#2
macleod Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 177	I would go for option1. anything focusrite that is not isa or red is most likely to be a piece of crap. K

16th February 2007, 02:21 PM	#3
NathanC Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Amsterdam, Europe Posts: 169	+1 RME Fireface800 Good drivers, good convertors, and you can always upgrade to better preamps (not the cheaper Focusrite ones) later.

16th February 2007, 02:23 PM	#5
androlic Gear Head Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 47	maybe a bit off topic.. don´t know if the fireface has the same pres built in as the octapre - but: i had to do recordings with an octapre once and i found the pres clean and neutral sounding on the one hand but on the other hand was it very difficult to dial in the right amount of gain, becouse 90% of the dial no big gain changes happen and on the small end of the dial there was huge gain-jumps, i was dissapointed cheers

16th February 2007, 02:42 PM	#6
MrTNT Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 27	Many Thanks ! Great ! Looks like the RME Fireface 800 is the best choice for the home project studio ! (?) I have heard about the unbeatable stability of FF 800 on the PC Windows XP. ... MrTNT

16th February 2007, 03:05 PM	#8
camerondye Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 694	I am pretty much new to this whole recording thing and the FF800 hasn't given me any issues. It is easy to set up, easy to run and has been flawless for me. It is probably the piece of gear that I have been most impressed with. Cameron

16th February 2007, 03:33 PM	#9
-momo- Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Upper Beltbuckle Posts: 56	I have a Saffire Pro 26 I/O. Love it so far. I've documented my journey here, FWIW: http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=98727

16th February 2007, 04:05 PM	#10
jslevin Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,667	All things being equal, I'd go with the Fireface 800. But you should understand that that won't give you even one good preamp. I think that's a problem, but I don't think a TwinTrak would be the answer anyway. JSL

18th February 2007, 05:00 AM	#12
classicalrecord Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Burbank Posts: 192	get the FF400 and add in a DAV bg1-- i think that should still be in your range and that gives you two very good channels, two decent channels and the flexibility to expand into the future. i have the four channel DAV going into my ff400... if you can't get good recordings with that setup, the gear isn't the problem.

19th February 2007, 07:23 PM	#13
MrTNT Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 27	momo, tnjazz, SAFFIRE PRO 26 I/O happy owners, is SAFFIRE PRO 26 able to put down THE LATENCY to 1.5 ms or to 2 ms in 24 bit / 96 KHz recording mode (for example, in Steinberg Nuendo 3) ? ............................................. ................ For the RME FF800 this is very EASY. And you don't need the Intel E6600 2.4 Ghz Core2Duo to make this on FF800. ............................................. ................ Thanks, all the best, MrTNT

19th February 2007, 10:32 PM	#14
-momo- Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Upper Beltbuckle Posts: 56	Mr. TNT, Nope, it won't. I get 3ms in and 5ms out tracking 10 channels in Cubase 3 - more than adequate for live monitoring. I've never seen anything get lower than 3ms, not in this price range anyway, so if you're currently getting 1.5 (or more importantly, if you can actually hear 3ms of latency, cause I sure can't), then I'd stay with whatever you have.

21st February 2007, 06:23 PM	#15
MrTNT Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 27	momo, for me the maximum acceptable latency is 2 ms IN 2 ms OUT .......................... TOTAL = 4 ms .......................... IF the Saffire Pro 26 IO can put down the Latency to this value in 24/96 recording mode in Steinberg Nuendo 3 on the PC / Windows XP SP2 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2GB RAM (667) (For the RME FF800 and FF400 this is NOT the problem !) THEN I will buy this thing RIGHT NOW !!! ... Thanks, all the best, MrTNT

21st February 2007, 11:46 PM	#16
-momo- Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Upper Beltbuckle Posts: 56	Mr.TNT If I actually owned your exact machine and host specification, I could try to answer your question. I don't, so I can't. All I can tell you are the results I get with my specs, which I've done. Maybe contact Focusrite?

22nd February 2007, 10:15 AM	#17
MrTNT Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 27	OK, I just sent this message to the FOCUSRITE: ... Dear Sirs, Dear Focusrite, Is the Saffire Pro 26 IO able to put down the Latency to this value in 24/96 recording mode 2 ms IN 2 ms OUT .......................... TOTAL = 4 ms .......................... in Steinberg Nuendo 3 (ASIO drivers) on the PC / Windows XP SP2 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2GB RAM (667) (I can get these results with the RME Fireface800 and Fireface400 !) ... I will buy Saffire Pro 26 IO right now, if I can get these results ! All other parameters (AD, DA, mic pre-amps, etc.) are very good, acceptable, but what is about the Latency ? ... All the best, Thanks, Mr. ... producer and guitarist etc. etc. ... So, we will see what is the answer from the FOCUSRITE... ... All the best, MrTNT

22nd February 2007, 06:28 PM	#18
Jabbaz Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4	I'd buy an FMR RNP and then base my decision on which interface to buy on how much $ you have left.