Newbie question - FF400 portable recording?

tjalla · 22nd July 2007, 12:07 AM

Hi all,

Thanks largely to recommendations from this page, I've begun setting up a basic (but hopefully half decent) home studio -

AKG C414 XLS
RME FF400
Intel iMac
KRK V6 IIs
Garageband (for now)
MOTU DP5 (in box, will install soon)

I have two questions about the FF400

1. When running bus power (no external power connected) is it safe to flick the switch on the back to function as on/off? Or is this potentially hot-plugging, and do I have to shut my computer off each time I want to turn the RME on/off? Oddly, the RME seems to receive bus power even with the comp shut down.

2. I'm travelling overseas next week and would like to record some a capella vocals with family members - what would be the best way to use the AKG 414>FF400 as a portable recording setup/storage - without a computer/software - that would allow me to store audio, either analog or digital. A firewire external drive? Minidisc? Preferably something that isn't going to degrade the sound, and if converting to digital, preferably using the RME's A/D. And I'd like to be able to playback takes, through headphones. Solutions? Both Firewire for storage with minidisc for monitoring?

Sorry if my lingo/tech talk sound really green - that's because I am! I'm a working musician, and am happy to talk guitars/tubes/amps/speakers/pickups till the cows come home, but this is all really new for me.

Thanks in advance!

Trevor

d_fu · 22nd July 2007, 12:51 AM

You need a (laptop) computer to record with the FF400. No way to record directly to a FW drive. I'd also suggest to use two (identical) microphones for stereo. One 414 will only provide mono...

tjalla · 24th July 2007, 11:05 AM

Perhaps I'll try to access a laptop while overseas. Alternatively I might just use the rme as mic pre sending an analog out to a minidisc. hardly ideal, but if that's as good as I can do without a laptop...

Thanks,
Trevor

liuto · 24th July 2007, 03:19 PM

Maybe you can find a recorder with digital in, then the FF400 would be your micpre and AD only, without the unnecessary DA conversion.
Regards
Hermann

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Portable recording	thewarmth	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	0	13th June 2007 12:49 AM
Portable Recorder - Location Recording	Marello	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	53	2nd May 2007 08:40 AM
Some advice for a newbie to 'location recording'	jgrif08	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	27	20th November 2006 06:23 AM
Newbie to Recording	firstclizzy	Rap + Hip Hop engineering & production	15	10th November 2006 01:53 PM
Portable Recording Mixer	Aearth	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	3	18th December 2004 03:57 PM

22nd July 2007, 12:07 AM	#1
tjalla Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 5	Newbie question - FF400 portable recording? Hi all, Thanks largely to recommendations from this page, I've begun setting up a basic (but hopefully half decent) home studio - AKG C414 XLS RME FF400 Intel iMac KRK V6 IIs Garageband (for now) MOTU DP5 (in box, will install soon) I have two questions about the FF400 1. When running bus power (no external power connected) is it safe to flick the switch on the back to function as on/off? Or is this potentially hot-plugging, and do I have to shut my computer off each time I want to turn the RME on/off? Oddly, the RME seems to receive bus power even with the comp shut down. 2. I'm travelling overseas next week and would like to record some a capella vocals with family members - what would be the best way to use the AKG 414>FF400 as a portable recording setup/storage - without a computer/software - that would allow me to store audio, either analog or digital. A firewire external drive? Minidisc? Preferably something that isn't going to degrade the sound, and if converting to digital, preferably using the RME's A/D. And I'd like to be able to playback takes, through headphones. Solutions? Both Firewire for storage with minidisc for monitoring? Sorry if my lingo/tech talk sound really green - that's because I am! I'm a working musician, and am happy to talk guitars/tubes/amps/speakers/pickups till the cows come home, but this is all really new for me. Thanks in advance! Trevor

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

22nd July 2007, 12:51 AM	#2
d_fu Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 1,445	You need a (laptop) computer to record with the FF400. No way to record directly to a FW drive. I'd also suggest to use two (identical) microphones for stereo. One 414 will only provide mono...

24th July 2007, 11:05 AM	#3
tjalla Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 5	Perhaps I'll try to access a laptop while overseas. Alternatively I might just use the rme as mic pre sending an analog out to a minidisc. hardly ideal, but if that's as good as I can do without a laptop... Thanks, Trevor

24th July 2007, 03:19 PM	#4
liuto Gear nut Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rekawinkel, Austria Posts: 144	Maybe you can find a recorder with digital in, then the FF400 would be your micpre and AD only, without the unnecessary DA conversion. Regards Hermann