8 mic pre interface

[ajfarber]

I am upgrading my Mac G4 to a new Mac Pro. I will also get a MacBook Pro, so I need a firewire interface that will work with both. I'm running Logic. I need something with 8 mic pres because I don't want to schlepp another rack, or 8, around when I record my gigs.

Can anyone tell me what they think about MOTU vs Presonus vs M-Audio (project mix) etc...

I want the one with the best mic pres. I know their just gonna be some cheap-ass, non-slutty pres, but it will be fine for my purposes. I'll go to a "proper studio" to make audiophile recordings.

[nnajar]

maudio profire 2626. the pres sound fine which i find odd but am happy about nonetheless. i'm using it on macbook and a mac mini with no trouble. I'm still in the honeymoon phase but first impressions are that it is rock solid, the software mixer is really well implemented (i don't know if you have need for that but I did and was the reson i got the unit) and it has 18 ch of digital i/o so down the road if you want to use high end conversion you can do so on a large scale. My intent in purchasing it was to use it for awhile and then when finances allow get a set of mytek ad/da and then I'd have a real high quality rig. previously i had been using a profire lightbridge (was very stable for me on a mac) with frontier tango 24 converters and it sounded fine, but i had to monitor through a mixer. now i'm completely ITB (what i wanted) and the converters in the 2626 sound a lot better to me than the frontier converters so that's a plus right there! but with this box you'll have plenty of i/o, decent mic pres, better converters than should be allowed at that price point, and plenty of future expandability all in 1RU.

N

[resound]

I've never thought PreSonus were all that stable (on Mac), or at least not the first choice from that perspective (with RME, MH, and MOTU also available). I generally thought that PreSonus sounded better than the MOTU.

MOTUs are rock-solid with their drivers, but the pres just aren't that great (my experience is with the product line through the 828MKII). For instance, they couldn't handle EWs well when I tried the combination. I was content using it for DI, but I would carefully consider what you want out of your recordings, the mics you'd use, etc. when considering MOTU pres.

I haven't used the latest M-Audio stuff.

[Baithak]

Originally Posted by ajfarber

Can anyone tell me what they think about MOTU vs Presonus vs M-Audio (project mix) etc...

I will use your etc... to recommend that you also look at Metric Halo (or is it too expensive?). For the Mac environment, the 2882 is pretty hard to beat unless you go real high end e.g. the DAD box/ the Orpheus - only 4 pres though etc.

Baithak

[iluvatar]

I don't know what your budget looks like, but The Apogee Ensemble and the aforementioned Orpheus both have 8 inputs w/ 4 preamps. Throw in another 4-ch 1RU preamp and you're golden.

-Dan.

[DSD_Mastering]

You haven't stated a budget so if you want the best, go with what we have.

Digital Audio Denmark with DSD/DXD and mic pre option... about $17k


Regards,

[Adebar]

Another "BEST" is the Sonic Studio Model 305. Great preamps and great converters too.

http://sonicstudio.com/pdf/300/Series300_Overview.pdf

[eddierodriguez]

for recording "gigs" most interfaces will work in acceptable quality. metric halo is a very good choice.

[Legacy]

Hi Andy,

I third the Metric Halo nominations. Quite good preamps and a nice design overall.

Hope all is well,
-Silas

[Adebar]

Originally Posted by Legacy

I third the Metric Halo nominations. Quite good preamps and a nice design overall.

Agreed.

The Sonic Model 304 and 305 is a little different to the MH 2882. Some say the converters are better and the preamps are in the league of Millennia Media or Grace design.

I didn´t compare the MH to Sonic interfaces. Maybe somebody else have compared these?

[theblotted]

003+, has all 8 mic pre's, you can run PT in case for compatibility with other studios, and with the new PT8 rivals Logic in VI dept.

not sure how stable Logic is running with Digi Core Audio.

[ajfarber]

Sorry, I didn't state a budget. I think around $1k. I figure i can always add some higher end mic pres along the way.

At this point I am leaning toward the M-Audio project mix because it is also a control surface.

I don't have the budget for a high-end audiophile type interface, and I've had good results for many years now with the Delta 1010.

I just need for you cats to tell me if the M-audio promix sucks. Or if MOTU is better or what? Obviously, if money is no object, I would buy 8 tube pres, like Hamptone or Fern, and get an interface that is of comparable quality.

So let's keep this around $1k. Is it gonna be MOTU, M-audio, ART (tube interface), Tascam, Presonus, etc....?

[theblotted]

it's not the promix, M-Audio software drivers are in general very unstable. i've heard better luck on Windows, but it's still not flawless like say a RME interface.

i rather spend the dough than spend time pulling hair out.

[ajfarber]

Okay, how about the ART tubefire 8 ?

[summer_room]

I would go for a used RME Digiface/Multiface and a used RME Octamic with adat out...

[ajfarber]

Originally Posted by summer_room

I would go for a used RME Digiface/Multiface and a used RME Octamic with adat out...

If I can find them, how much should I ecpect to pay? In USD$?

[Jungle Jazz]

I've got a ProjectMix, and I haven't really had much to complain about it. The preamps aren't boutique, but they're definitely usable. The only hitch I've had with using it on a G4 powerbook is that I usually record to an external firewire drive, and Mac laptops usually have only one firewire bus, even if there are multiple firewire ports. That bandwidth in and out can bog down. I solved the issue by getting a Firewire card and using the onboard port for the PM and the card's output for the hard drive. I use it with ProTools M-Powered, and I haven't had any driver issues.

If you plan to use external preamps, I would suggest also using an external converter and using the ADAT in instead of using the line ins. The line inputs run through the onboard preamps, and they tend to clip even at low levels. I've used the PM with a Presonus Digimax FS hooked up externally, and it works fine.

I must admit that I don't use it much anymore, simply because I use my HD24XR for pretty much all my location recording now. The control surface aspect of the PM is pretty handy.

[summer_room]

I dunno, I'm in Denmark, but I'm afraid it will be more than your $1k.

You could also choose a cheaper pre/AD, like Presonus DigiMax or Focusrite Octopre...

EDIT: I came to think that RME Digiface/Multiface connects via CardBus, not firewire...

[David Spearritt]

Please, please, listen to, and consider the StudioKonnekt 48

[jacktadoussac]

Look no further. I realize this product is Swedish, and there may distinct cultural differences between Sweden and Denmark. But check out MP8 (before it's too late).

LINE AUDIO DESIGN

The sole proprietor of this company ships all sorts of product to Canada and the States. I'm an owner of an MP2 mic pre.

[ajfarber]

Originally Posted by David Spearritt

Please, please, listen to, and consider the StudioKonnekt 48

This thing looks pretty high-end for the price! Does anyone else around here use it?

[Jim vanBergen]

Hey Andy-
I have a Presonus Digimax and it sounds good, but as you said before, these are basic, good bang for the buck, utility preamps -I'm not amazed by them- the sound is a step down from my Manley, Chandler, Earthworks, Portico, and Tanner preamps; then again, those are all many times more expensive per channel and don't have the ADAT output.

I've used it many times for large multichannel recordings and they have translated well. They are pretty inexpensive (used they are under 500 for 8 ch), and trustworthy/robust, and have the best sonic response with external clocking. I personally like it better than the Focusrite unit but have not A/B'd it against the Metric Halo.

I know you have a bunch of items to consider, but I thought this brand was mentioned, but not discussed -so I hope this helps!

[tnjazz]

Originally Posted by jacktadoussac

Look no further. I realize this product is Swedish, and there may distinct cultural differences between Sweden and Denmark. But check out MP8 (before it's too late).

LINE AUDIO DESIGN

The sole proprietor of this company ships all sorts of product to Canada and the States. I'm an owner of an MP2 mic pre.

Very nice! Now pray tell, where does one connect the firewire?

Please read the original post before jumping in and shilling for Line Audio. Thankyouverymuch

(BTW I love the Line Audio 8MP, but this post is worthless in this particular thread since the OP is looking for a computer interface)

[resound]

I've used the DigiMax and can echo some of JvB's comments. I used the ADAT out into a 828MKII with fine results at 96k. Might be an option: get the stability of MOTU drivers with a (slight) step-up in sound quality and additional flexibility for about your budget.

I was intrigued by the TC piece, but I consistently found very negative things being said about the drivers. I don't know if that's still an issue.

[David Spearritt]

Originally Posted by ajfarber

This thing looks pretty high-end for the price!

Yes, value for money compared with the Orpheus is much better. 12 channels of A/D not just 8, 4 high-end mic pres, world class plugins, comparable jitter figures, and the best 56bit fixed point software mixer out there.

I was intrigued by the TC piece, but I consistently found very negative things being said about the drivers. I don't know if that's still an issue.

Not any more. As with all FW stuff, there are people screaming about drivers. TC had some problems initially, but a rewrite, 6 months ago, has them sorted.

[mljung]

Originally Posted by David Spearritt

Yes, value for money compared with the Orpheus is much better. 12 channels of A/D not just 8, 4 high-end mic pres, world class plugins, comparable jitter figures, and the best 56bit fixed point software mixer out there.



Not any more. As with all FW stuff, there are people screaming about drivers. TC had some problems initially, but a rewrite, 6 months ago, has them sorted.

I use the Konnekt48 too [for remote recording]. Usually together with my 4 channels of DAV pre-amps, recording directly into Samplitude. I have been very satisfied and have had no problems with my PC Laptop using a TI firewire PCMCIA card.

[Empiria]

About the Konnekt 48. I can confirm drivers are stable now, mixer is very intuitive plus there are few really good plug-ins on board. Usually I use eight channels with external preamps (DAV BG8) recording in 24/88.2. No problem with firewire at all. I bought a FW express card with TI chipset but I don't use it. Standard FW plug in the Lenovo R61 (Ricoh chipset) works flawlessly, I never had any trouble. My only wish is converters to be Prism-like but... I don't want the Prism cost on the other hand. They are really good but not like those from the highest shelf, of course. I work on classical only and I decided to buy Mytek Stereo ADC for the main pair, spots go straight to SK48. To me, this is the best cost-preformance option. For the price it can be hard to find something better. I recommend.

[Legacy]

Good to know all this. I had overlooked this piece.

Could you tell us more about which plugins you like / don't?

Thanks,
Silas

[Empiria]

I don't use them often. For reverb I always choose Altiverb I have on another computer for editing. I turn the Fabrik R on sometimes when I present recorded material to musicians on location. Usually I don't use compression or EQ. Checked Fabrik R and C just after I purchased the SK48. They are based on TC4000 system and sound really good! I wish Fabrik R to have a church algorithm. Using that MINT system was not as intuitive as producer says but, I didn't spend much time to learn. Just to mention, these two plug's are $199 each. For those who work on pop, rock etc. it's a good deal.

[Jimbo]

Hi Andy,

You can find legacy (not 2D upgraded) 2882 units, used, for <=$1000. Keep an eye on eBay and the GS classifieds. They show-up fairly regularly.