Laptop Recording - Audio Interface?

jspartz · 17th July 2005

Hello,

I am looking for input on a solid, good sounding, intuitive interface/sound card for remote recording with a PC laptop. I plan on building a remote recording rig for some on-site session work. I don't need a lot of I/O. I am thinking 8 tracks in and 8 tracks out would be able to work for me. I plan on using a firewire external harddrive. I am thinking that a firewire or USB interface would be the best option. Any suggestions? I would like to keep the price as low as I can.

Your comments and experiences would be helpful. Thank you.

Jason

**DrDeltaM** · 17th July 2005

For affordable 8 I/O firewire there's the Presonus Firepod. Has 8 usable pre-amps on board as well.

If you can use PCMCIA on your laptop, surely have a look at the RME Multiface. No pre-amps on board there, but a very flexible reliable interface. Bit more expensive then the Firepod tho.

tbrault · 17th July 2005

There are amazing amounts of USB 1.1 and 2.0, Firewire 400 & 800, and PCMCIA interfaces available.

Some of the coolest looking ones are made by RME, MOTU, ECHO, ESI, EMU...the list is unbelieveable.

Electronic Musician comes out with a 'buyers guide' every year that lists interfaces in table format by manufacturer, then has a grid to list price, features, connections, i/o, etc. Maybe check that out?

jspartz · 18th July 2005

I have enough outboard preamps so this interface does not need to have them. I would prefer to not have them. I would prefer to have better sounding converters without the extra preamps. The theory being better sound quality for the same (or less) price.

Jason

kenm · 18th July 2005

I bought a used MOTU 828 MK2 which I have used with a Firewire drive for a few remote session things. I think it works great.

Ken

the1Hub · 19th July 2005

motu traveler looks interesting
i use a 002r with my powerbook

Youn · 19th July 2005

RME Multiface with cardbus may be an option. It'll work as fast as a PCI card, supposadly (ie. plenty fast enough) Under a grand, and room to expand... Not sure if the converters match the ones found on the RME Fireface, but I was also considering this because I don't like all the extra crap alot of these firewire devices throw in (preamps, speaker emulation, **** that...)

I'm also waiting to see how Lynx Aurora shapes up when their firewire option is available later this year, hopefully that'll be my next buy. A bit more pricey, but it does sound good!

Oh, there are some very cheap stuff from Maudio that would work alright.

17th July 2005	#1
jspartz Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Winona MN Posts: 169 Thread Starter	Laptop Recording - Audio Interface? Hello, I am looking for input on a solid, good sounding, intuitive interface/sound card for remote recording with a PC laptop. I plan on building a remote recording rig for some on-site session work. I don't need a lot of I/O. I am thinking 8 tracks in and 8 tracks out would be able to work for me. I plan on using a firewire external harddrive. I am thinking that a firewire or USB interface would be the best option. Any suggestions? I would like to keep the price as low as I can. Your comments and experiences would be helpful. Thank you. Jason __________________ Jason Spartz Web: www.mudstonemusic.com E-mail: mudstonemusic@yahoo.com

17th July 2005	#2
DrDeltaM Moderator Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Belgium Posts: 4,347	For affordable 8 I/O firewire there's the Presonus Firepod. Has 8 usable pre-amps on board as well. If you can use PCMCIA on your laptop, surely have a look at the RME Multiface. No pre-amps on board there, but a very flexible reliable interface. Bit more expensive then the Firepod tho. __________________ Mathijs Indesteege aka Mathew Lane mixing - mastering - audio restoration - plugins http://www.mathewlane.com DrMS. Focus on your stereo field. - NEW v3.2 OUT NOW! DrMS spatial processor - native RTAS/AU/VST plugin » Digital Audio Product Support Joystick Audio - Benelux High End Distributor http://www.joystick.be

17th July 2005	#3
tbrault Gear Head Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Lowell Posts: 43	There are amazing amounts of USB 1.1 and 2.0, Firewire 400 & 800, and PCMCIA interfaces available. Some of the coolest looking ones are made by RME, MOTU, ECHO, ESI, EMU...the list is unbelieveable. Electronic Musician comes out with a 'buyers guide' every year that lists interfaces in table format by manufacturer, then has a grid to list price, features, connections, i/o, etc. Maybe check that out? __________________ Tim Brault Marketing/Engineering Assistant THAT Corporation -- Its been long documented that drummer want to be engineers and engineers want to be drummers....something about the allure of so many mics. Who says I can't do both!

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18th July 2005	#4
jspartz Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Winona MN Posts: 169 Thread Starter	I have enough outboard preamps so this interface does not need to have them. I would prefer to not have them. I would prefer to have better sounding converters without the extra preamps. The theory being better sound quality for the same (or less) price. Jason

18th July 2005	#5
kenm Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2004 Location: berkeley, ca Posts: 251	I bought a used MOTU 828 MK2 which I have used with a Firewire drive for a few remote session things. I think it works great. Ken

19th July 2005	#6
the1Hub Gear addict Joined: Feb 2005 Location: where there are blue skies 315 days a year Posts: 460	motu traveler looks interesting i use a 002r with my powerbook

19th July 2005	#7
Youn Gear addict Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 390	RME Multiface with cardbus may be an option. It'll work as fast as a PCI card, supposadly (ie. plenty fast enough) Under a grand, and room to expand... Not sure if the converters match the ones found on the RME Fireface, but I was also considering this because I don't like all the extra crap alot of these firewire devices throw in (preamps, speaker emulation, **** that...) I'm also waiting to see how Lynx Aurora shapes up when their firewire option is available later this year, hopefully that'll be my next buy. A bit more pricey, but it does sound good! Oh, there are some very cheap stuff from Maudio that would work alright.