I think I've finally chosen an audio interface.

[Nser Uame]

Firstly - sorry to add to the large collection of audio interface threads. I did see them all on the front page and have read them all, and many more.

I just thought I'd run it past you guys to see if you had any input - any ideas for other interfaces, anything I haven't got right, any input really...

I basically want a comfortable work flow without limiting the performance of the gear I have already. By comfortable work flow I guess I mean everything plugged in the same place all the time By performance, I don't want to introduce any hiss or lower the sound quality of my mixer or monitors or MPC. Then I'd like to stop buying gear for a least a year

The interface I believe will suit me best is the Echo Audiofire 12. (http://www.echoaudio.com/products/Fi...2_both_big.jpg)

My aim is to track/record whatever I do. No acoustic instruments are in use at the moment.

Interface needs to accept and record to the computer:
* Two outs from my DJ mixer the Rane TTM56.
* Up to eight outs from my Akai MPC2500

I'd have my monitors plugged into the interface (KRK VXT8's). That means I can monitor the PC, the MPC, or the DJ setup with my monitors, yeah?

I'm using Windows7 64-bit with an i7 core duo w/ texas instruments firewire chip.

Thanks!!!!

[Nser Uame]

Here are some links for info on the equipment I've mentioned in case you want to check anything

TTM 56 Performance Mixer

KRK Systems - Monitors, subwoofers, speakers, monitoring applications, room perfect technology

MPC2500 Beat Production Station

Echo Digital Audio Corporation

[OceanMan]

what DAW are you running ?

[OceanMan]

might be pointless to ask but those are line level inputs so you have a preamp(s), right ?

[Nser Uame]

I was planning on using the DAW that comes with the Echo - the soundsonsounds review mentioned it came with one. As I'm using the MPC mostly it isn't a big issue. Maybe Cubase. Why do you ask?

Noob question: Do I need pre-amps between the MPC's eight outs and Audio interface?

I thought preamps were for turning phono to line signal? This is the part that has me mostly confused.

I included links to all the hardware involved - maybe someone who is sure can quickly check it out and let me know?

[OceanMan]

I ask what DAW because if your interested in running ProTools you can only use a digidesign interface (mbox, 003, ect). You get pro tools software when you buy a digidesign interface, and Pro Tools is the industry standard so you will easily be able to bring your projects into a commerical studio easily if you ever wanted. cant beat its power in most applications as well. But of course if you dont want to run pro tools than it doesnt matter in the slightest

Im not sure if you will need a pre amp for that unit, mostly likely they are already line level, but still...I dont know if I would buy an interface with that didnt give me the options of any preamps. You will have to purchase outside preamps to record vocals or any other instruments. Just my 2 cents

check this out mate
Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini | Sweetwater.com

[Nser Uame]

Ah OK - well, not so keen on using ProTools - 10 channels of quality digital recording is what I need. Never really been crash hot on ProTools...

I've seen some nice looking kits for building some really high quality pre's on the net so if I could keep it to the MPC and the Echo 12 at the moment I'd do that and get a nice assortment of different flavoured pre's later on. I like the idea of sampling certain parts of a song through different pre's to sit them the mix without getting all gungho on the producing/mixing side of things. This is getting towards the dream setup and not the reality setup though :P

Anyway, I checked the MPC2500 manual again:

8 individual outputs 1/4-inch phone x 8 balanced +11dBu, output impedance 1k Ohms,
Max. output level +22dBu

+11dBu, does that make it line level and 'phone' is just the type of plug?

[Nser Uame]

Hmmm..

The AudioFire has this on their page:

Nominal Input Level: +4dBu or -10dBV (software configurable)

What does that mean?

[OceanMan]

+4 db is considered "professional" line level, while -10 db is "consumer" line level
its basically saying you need to be coming into it at line level since it has no onboard pre amps

[OceanMan]

im pretty lost man not really sure exactly what your trying to do....
good luck tho

[Nser Uame]

haha OK i'll clarify.

as far as I can tell, the MPC is putting out a +11dbu signal.. so it must be line..

what does that mean in terms of the Audiofire12 having a nominal input level of +4dbu?

I'm guessing it just means I'll have headroom to set my gain and all that, but I'm just not sure.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

stop confusing yourself and others if all you are doing is running line outs from your DJ mixer and your MPC the Audiofire 12 is adequate and in my opinion an excellent choice. You get some really terrific A/D conversion in that unit.

For what you want to do now it will work fine.

Don't worry about the PT garbage I've never used Pro Tools at home and I've never had problems integrating my work to studios running HD before in my life. Most mastering studios will listen to some clips of my stuff and just ask me to bring in stereo files. Honestly Cubase can even be overkill I use Reaper which is $60 and it's been going great for about a year and a half for me.

If and when you need to record mics and such you can add an external preamp usually you can do much better than what would've come stock in an audio interface this way especially if you look used. Honestly for a more professional rig you are off to a great start you will have a hard time matching the conversion in your unit and the ability to track/record 12 simultaneous analog ins and outs is pretty outstanding for only $600 USD.

For what you want to do any PTLE device wouldn't meet your input requirements the Profire 2626 only offers 8 line ins and the digi 003 is overpriced and still only offers 8 ins. Plus the actual PTLE software will limit you to the number of tracks you can do at once.