Beating a dead horse

[Anticlimactic]

So, I still can't decide how to get the best bang for my buck with an interface - I've searched on here and read tons of threads on this ever reoccuring topic, but I'm still stuck. I have a few different routes I'm looking at and would like opinions from you guys - I'm mostly recording my band; however I'd like to record other people if the situation arises. Ok, here's what I'm looking at:

Digi 002R and Mackie 8(?) channel mixer - with this I could definately record a full drum kit. I don't neccessarily want to mix on the board; I'm just whoring its preamps

Mackie Onyx 1640/firewire card - 16 preamps and a/d/a converters/interface. Seems solid, but I'm familiar with PT and not at all with Traktion.

Digi 002R and a couple preamps - This is a real tough one for me - I can get a few channels of preamps that would be better than the mackie's, but I'll also lose the number of tracks I can record simultaneously AND I'll have to use the 002's pres. I have no idea how the 002 pres sound compared to anything. This is still my favorite option though (external pres == more gear to mess with ) and it's definately expandable as I get more spare change. How are the 002's pres? If they're shitty than this is probably a stupid route to take. The pres I'm checking out are the ART TPS II, Presonus tubePRE, SP VTB-1, DMP3, and, if budget allows, the FMR RNP.

Thanks for reading this. Seriously.

[tINY]

Sounds like your big problem is ProTools.

Most of the other programs (Sonar, Tracktion, CueBase) will work with interfaces other then Digidesign.....

So, you have to have a Digidesign card in there somewhere.





-tINY

[Anticlimactic]

I don't have pro tools. That just seemed like the best way to go for me. I'm open to other suggestions...I'm really curious as to what people think of the 002 pres...

[treymonfauntre]

the 002 only get bad raps from people that typically post in the "high end" section. theres no point in buying a mackie mixer just to use its preamps. ESPECIALLY not to override the 002's pres.
skip the tubepre. get rnps, vtb1, dmp3, and rane ms1b if you want an eclectic mix of cheap pres

[Anticlimactic]

Yeah, maybe I am wrong, but I have always viewed the "Pro Tools sucks" conversation in the same way I view conversations I have had with music connoisseurs that do not like a band because they are popular and easily accessable to the every man. Sorry, I am having trouble with longwindedness today.

Anyway, am I correct in interpreting your post as saying that the 002 pres are usable? and that I should just fill out the 8 analog ins with pres as the money comes in?

Thanks.

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by tINY

CueBase

[Dav Iridium]

M-Audio Delta 1010.

And a second-hand analogue desk with direct outs.

My two roubles.

[matt thomas]

the mackie onyx pres are great for the money, I use them when I run out of my $$$ preamps (rupert neve, great river, sebatron) and I've never had an issue with them not being good enough.

narco

[imloggedin]

you wont beat the yamaha i88x for the money. the preamps are nothing short of amazing for clean sound. the clock is fantastic. the a/d is also. theres no comparison to the digi 002. save your money, digicrap is expensive. ive been there and came back to sonar for the flexibility. i cant deny that i loved pro tools as a DAW but the hardware brings it down. its the packard bell of interfaces

dfegad Proprietary

[Anticlimactic]

You guys rock so hard.

I've been reading the threads about the Yamaha and you guys that use it love it. The rumors of it being a piece of technology with no future seem to have been dispelled. Also, I could get some serious external pre's with the money I save with the Yamaha - definately an avenue to explore. Is the i88 compatible with all softwares (cubase, sonar, digital performer, logic)? Still no comments on the 002's pres though...:(

Does the Yamaha come with any software of its own?

[imloggedin]

the i88x works with anything that is WDM or ASIO compatible. so yes all of the above. i did not like the pres in the 002. i think they are made by focusrite? to me they sounded worse than the focusrite octopre i had. wich i HATED. another tip is if you get the i88x and love the pres (wich im sure you will) the yamaha MLA8 is the exact same pres. 8 channels of sweet pres for 600ish. i picked one up new on ebay for 450. they are quality. doing some reseach someone said that yamaha tech support told them these pres were designed by mike rivers (dunno if thats the truth or not) but they sure sound great.

[imloggedin]

also it doesnt come with any recording software. sorry. some interfaces come with cubase LE or something. wich isnt very flexible. im a fan of sonar, but cubase and nuendo are nice too.

[-Noodles-]

I got advised on this very board;
002R + Motu 8Pre.

[cdog]

Originally Posted by Anticlimactic

Yeah, maybe I am wrong, but I have always viewed the "Pro Tools sucks".....

I'd rather record through an Onyx FW than an 002.


PT does suck, it is overpriced and underpowered.

[dougb415]

Originally Posted by imloggedin

also it doesnt come with any recording software. sorry. some interfaces come with cubase LE or something. wich isnt very flexible. im a fan of sonar, but cubase and nuendo are nice too.

I seem to recall that my i88x came with a copy of Cubase LE.

[chadly]

Originally Posted by imloggedin

i did not like the pres in the 002. i think they are made by focusrite? to me they sounded worse than the focusrite octopre i had. wich i HATED.

That would be because the Digi002 pre's are made by Digi. Not Focusrite. I thought that too!

They're a knock off of the digipre. And not a very good one, though they'll work. . .

[chrisp2u]

Originally Posted by Anticlimactic

You guys rock so hard.
Still no comments on the 002's pres though...:(

They're much better after the Black Lion Audio mod. Mediocre at best before the mod...usable, sure... not glossy sounding though.

If you're looking for value, and still want some expandability using PT (plus better portability), I'd check out the m-audio FW1814 w/PT m-powered. Can get the whole deal for around $550US. I'm sure the pres aren't as good as the 002R's, but you can connect some decent outboard pres via ADAT/lightpipe for far less than doing the same with an 002R.
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c

[Anticlimactic]

I found the 1814 for $500, but it's softwareless. Also, The pres I'm looking at are all analog outs - how many analog inputs does the 1814 have? I know it says 14 in/18 out or somthing, but how many of those are standalone balanced 1/4" jacks?

[chrisp2u]

Originally Posted by Anticlimactic

I found the 1814 for $500, but it's softwareless. Also, The pres I'm looking at are all analog outs - how many analog inputs does the 1814 have? I know it says 14 in/18 out or somthing, but how many of those are standalone balanced 1/4" jacks?

A buddy of mine picked up the 1814 for the $358 shipped and PT m-powered for $214.

Looks like 8 unbalanced analog ins. Here's all the details...
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...814-focus.html
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c

[s.d.finley]

Dead Horse?


They Rock!!!

http://shop.relapse.com/artist/artis...ArtistID=10028