ISA428+Firestudio or just a Mackie ONYX FW?

M.Hansen · 19th December 2007, 11:57 PM

Hi.

Need some opinions here, before I invest.

Primary task: Electric guitar, 4x12 cab, detuned and heavy stuff:
(4.ch: Royer121, 2 x SM57, MD 421 II)

Alternative A:

ISA 428 ADC ADAT w/wordclock--> Presonus ADAT in to FW iMac

Alternative B:

Mackie 400F Onyx to iMac.

Not sure if a ISA 428 (with optional ADC card) will justify the extra $1600 over a single Mackie Onyx 400F. I have heard very good stuff about the Mackie 400F. Will the sonic difference be that important ?

And also...

Otherwise, I guess the Digimax FS hooked up with the Firestudio (8+8 channels) would be sufficient for a 9-Piece double bass drum set (metalstyle) ? Or is 16 channels "overdoing it" ??

yeah...just before I click "order" on Sweetwater or something.

Thanks!

ThrillHo · 8th January 2008, 08:29 PM

It seems like you're comparing the mic pre and A/D converters of the ISA 428 and the Mackie Onyx. I have the 428 (but not the converter) and it's a really good deal for a mid-high end preamp. Plus they can be had new for less than street price on ebay.

That being said, there's no reason why you couldn't get good results with the Onyx; good enough to sell CDs at shows. If the source is good, then it won't get in your way. For example, with your drum set, if you have a nice, tuned kit, with a good drummer and a good sounding room (you're about 85% there, IMHO), it's not that hard to get good results; at least from a tracking perspective. If you focus on the source, the Mackie will be fine.

So if you're stretching your budget for the ISA, I wouldn't recommend getting it because it won't be the component in your rig that will make it or break it. Also, to get the modern sound, you probably should close mic all your drums which really brings up the track count and having at least 8-12 decent pres will be more advantageous than 4 good pres.

scking · 8th January 2008, 08:40 PM

Why the ISA? I have the Firestudio and I think the converters and pre's on it are outstanding. To me it's comparable to the Apogee Mini-me in terms of sound quality. It's a good bit more flexible than the Onyx, especially when you add the optional remote.

Ironklad Audio · 9th January 2008, 03:38 AM

just get the 1200F and be done with it

vcovco · 9th January 2008, 09:04 AM

Just be very very careful with the firestudio...there are LOADS of unresolved driver issues with it. That being said, I think there are folks using it with no probs, but they seem to be the minority.

People have been waiting over a year for a driver update, and although Presonus just released a beta, it seems to still have bugs in it...

Whichever you buy, make sure you buy from someplace with a liberal return policy.

I have a firestudio project which does not suffer same exact problems as the firestudio 2626, but it does not have ADAT i/o.

Also...not to sound like an idiot, but aren't there only 4 pre's on the 400f?

scking · 9th January 2008, 06:01 PM

The 1200F is a heck of a box, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

scking · 9th January 2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcovco

Just be very very careful with the firestudio...there are LOADS of unresolved driver issues with it.

If you're using a PC, yes. I know several people using them with Macs that don't seem to have any issues.

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19th December 2007, 11:57 PM	#1
M.Hansen Gear interested Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 19	ISA428+Firestudio or just a Mackie ONYX FW? Hi. Need some opinions here, before I invest. Primary task: Electric guitar, 4x12 cab, detuned and heavy stuff: (4.ch: Royer121, 2 x SM57, MD 421 II) Alternative A: ISA 428 ADC ADAT w/wordclock--> Presonus ADAT in to FW iMac Alternative B: Mackie 400F Onyx to iMac. Not sure if a ISA 428 (with optional ADC card) will justify the extra $1600 over a single Mackie Onyx 400F. I have heard very good stuff about the Mackie 400F. Will the sonic difference be that important ? And also... Otherwise, I guess the Digimax FS hooked up with the Firestudio (8+8 channels) would be sufficient for a 9-Piece double bass drum set (metalstyle) ? Or is 16 channels "overdoing it" ?? yeah...just before I click "order" on Sweetwater or something. Thanks!

9th January 2008, 09:04 AM	#5
vcovco Gear nut Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT, USA Posts: 140	Just be very very careful with the firestudio...there are LOADS of unresolved driver issues with it. That being said, I think there are folks using it with no probs, but they seem to be the minority. People have been waiting over a year for a driver update, and although Presonus just released a beta, it seems to still have bugs in it... Whichever you buy, make sure you buy from someplace with a liberal return policy. I have a firestudio project which does not suffer same exact problems as the firestudio 2626, but it does not have ADAT i/o. Also...not to sound like an idiot, but aren't there only 4 pre's on the 400f? __________________ "If it SOUNDS good...it IS good." http://www.vcomusic.com

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8th January 2008, 08:29 PM	#2
ThrillHo Gear Head Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 73	It seems like you're comparing the mic pre and A/D converters of the ISA 428 and the Mackie Onyx. I have the 428 (but not the converter) and it's a really good deal for a mid-high end preamp. Plus they can be had new for less than street price on ebay. That being said, there's no reason why you couldn't get good results with the Onyx; good enough to sell CDs at shows. If the source is good, then it won't get in your way. For example, with your drum set, if you have a nice, tuned kit, with a good drummer and a good sounding room (you're about 85% there, IMHO), it's not that hard to get good results; at least from a tracking perspective. If you focus on the source, the Mackie will be fine. So if you're stretching your budget for the ISA, I wouldn't recommend getting it because it won't be the component in your rig that will make it or break it. Also, to get the modern sound, you probably should close mic all your drums which really brings up the track count and having at least 8-12 decent pres will be more advantageous than 4 good pres.

8th January 2008, 08:40 PM	#3
scking Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 471	Why the ISA? I have the Firestudio and I think the converters and pre's on it are outstanding. To me it's comparable to the Apogee Mini-me in terms of sound quality. It's a good bit more flexible than the Onyx, especially when you add the optional remote.

9th January 2008, 03:38 AM	#4
Ironklad Audio Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 502	just get the 1200F and be done with it

9th January 2008, 06:01 PM	#6
scking Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 471	The 1200F is a heck of a box, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.