Upgrading from a MOTU 896: Interface/Digital Mixer Questions

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

"I know that most of what i'm describing is rooted in instruments/mics/placement, but just by reading a little bit it is apparent that the mixer/interface also plays a role. "

Leave your setup alone, and play with mic choices and placement, as well as preamps and other front end devices. I would resist the urge to throw more budget digital gear into any recording rig. My theory has always been that I want the best converters/interface to most accurately capture the recording, I want the mic/mic technique/pres/console/whatever to provide the sound that I am trying to get, be it warm or clean or whatever on any given piece.

[gilliam]

Originally Posted by Bill@WelcomeHome

"I know that most of what i'm describing is rooted in instruments/mics/placement, but just by reading a little bit it is apparent that the mixer/interface also plays a role. "

Leave your setup alone, and play with mic choices and placement, as well as preamps and other front end devices. I would resist the urge to throw more budget digital gear into any recording rig. My theory has always been that I want the best converters/interface to most accurately capture the recording, I want the mic/mic technique/pres/console/whatever to provide the sound that I am trying to get, be it warm or clean or whatever on any given piece.

i totally agree with you. but i forgot to mention that i'm having compatibility issues as well. the 896 is a very old unit, if i'm going to stay in the digital realm, i want something that is recent and updated (motu has ceased support for their older products).

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by gilliam

... i forgot to mention that i'm having compatibility issues as well..

That sucks. My (-my-) choice would be similar though... I would not want a budget digital mixer, I'd look for a decent converter set and interface, and work from there. Your budget will dictate what you can do. I am partial to RME interfaces, I've had very good luck with them. (But I use external converters and mid-level preamps, with pretty decent mics.)

[gilliam]

Originally Posted by Bill@WelcomeHome

That sucks. My (-my-) choice would be similar though... I would not want a budget digital mixer, I'd look for a decent converter set and interface, and work from there. Your budget will dictate what you can do. I am partial to RME interfaces, I've had very good luck with them. (But I use external converters and mid-level preamps, with pretty decent mics.)

What you are saying makes perfect sense to me, and i'm not exactly looking for a 'budget' solution. I mean, I have a budget, but definitely putting the money in for a noticeable upgrade.

So are you suggesting that i get a new interface, as well as a quality external converter? I know you mentioned the RME stuff, but aren't those known for having quality conversion? I'm just a little confused on that logic.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by gilliam

What you are saying makes perfect sense to me, and i'm not exactly looking for a 'budget' solution. I mean, I have a budget, but definitely putting the money in for a noticeable upgrade.

So are you suggesting that i get a new interface, as well as a quality external converter? I know you mentioned the RME stuff, but aren't those known for having quality conversion? I'm just a little confused on that logic.

You've told us that you need a new interface because of compatibility issues. I recommend RME because of their stability, support, and because they keep their products viable for as long as possible.

When it gets down to conversion, I've been using better converters than what is included in interfaces for a long time, and the interfaces that I buy usually don't include converters. That may or may not fit your plan or your budget... some guys like to build a high quality rig incrementally, starting with an interface and maybe some 'golden' channels of conversion and some lesser converters which they plan to swap out as business allows. Others would rather just buy a combo unit and be done with it, accepting the included converters as plenty adequate for their needs.

In the course of time I have owned units with included conversion like the Multiface and the Fireface 800 for remotes and portable applications. Mostly I used my external converters with these units but when the need arose or the situation was right I have used the included converters. I have no complaints with them.

But it all really gets down to your plan for your rig, and what the budget allows. We all need to live within our budgets. I retired a couple of years ago, and my budget went from 'buy what we need, the business can afford it', to... 'hey, am I -sure- I want to buy a new mouse pad for my home writing/recording room since I don't make any money with it???'