Looking for a USB/FW interface that is bus-powered and has at least 4 mic inputs

[Corran]

I'm looking for an interface with at least 4 mic inputs that can be powered by the USB or Firewire input. I'm using a ExpressCard34 card for a FW input. (PC only.)

I've looked at the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra for this, but only 2 of the mic inputs work without the power supply. This is my best option right now because I can output a SPDIF signal into this for two more inputs (this would come from an MBox).

However I'd like to have something a little less convoluted. I've also thought about using two of the Sound Devices USB interfaces for 4 inputs total, though really my ideal setup is something that I could expand to do 8 inputs with an extra couple of preamps and of course having to rely on a power supply.

Is there anything out there that will do this? Also, does it make a difference that my FW port is on an ExpressCard34 slot? I noticed that my M-Audio Lightbridge does NOT get powered from this, but is that because it's a heavy-duty device? I have read that these ExpressCard slots should in fact power an interface.

I'm not hip on a lot of these devices because I prefer standalone recorders, but lugging around my HD24XR for 4-channel jobs is getting a little annoying.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have. I don't have a budget per se but don't want to spend $1000's of dollars.

[jnorman]

bryan - i dont think i have seen any interfaces that will support 4 channels at once on just buss power. i am using a lexicon U42s, which has 4 dbx preamps, is USB2, and nice monitoring facilities, but it requires external power to run all four channels at once. the other interface i was looking at was the mackie onyx 400f (FW), but it also requires external power.

[Corran]

Hey jnorman, thanks for the input. That's kinda what I was worried about. It seems like they could use dual USB plugs to pull more power or something. Anyway, perhaps a portable, rechargeable battery is really what I need. It would just be really nice to run 4 mics at once with just a laptop!

[jnorman]

you might check over on taperssection.com - those guys have used every kind of portable setup you can imagine, so they have lots of info on good battery boxes/sleds and a wide variety of options for portable arrangements. many of them use very expensive and esoteric gear - lots of schoeps and dpa slutz there.

[Corran]

Good idea, just thought I'd check this forum for ideas...

[rmedek]

I own a MOTU Traveler and I've run all four preamps on bus power. I don't know that it's technically rated for it, but I've done it so at least I know it's possible.

[Audiop]

Two pieces of Audiofire4? They are buspowered but also have 12V DC input for easy connection to a SLA.


/Peter

[Corran]

Originally Posted by rmedek

I own a MOTU Traveler and I've run all four preamps on bus power. I don't know that it's technically rated for it, but I've done it so at least I know it's possible.

Great! See, I figured something older that isn't available might be what I was looking for. I just haven't heard much good about MOTU's drivers, but I will have to consider this. I almost bought a Fast Track Ultra yesterday but maybe I won't.

Any reason to get a newer one rather than the original MOTU though??

[rmedek]

I honestly don't know how good the preamps are compared to others…all I know is they sound decent so I'm happy with them. The converters are so/so…I think my mBox is better if that says anything. The drivers have been rock-solid on my Mac but I don't know about the PC equivalents.

I don't know if the new Traveler has better converters or preamps but what it does have is onboard effects, which would be awesome for live processing and monitoring. Of course, that might be enough to stress the power going to the pres. The main reason I bought a used Traveler versus waiting for a new one (they weren't out at the time) is I saved a bunch of money.

[jnorman]

bryan - remember that to power FW interface via the buss, you must have a 6-pin FW port on your computer, and many/most laptops (if you are using a laptop) only have a 4-pin FW connection. maybe the macbook pros have 6 pin - i dont know.

inre preamps - i have used a MOTU 8-pre and i really did not care for the sound of the preamps in it. the preamps on my lexicon u42s are quite good however - i just used them on the video recording i posted the other day, if you would like to hear them.

[tsvisser]

Originally Posted by Corran

I'm not hip on a lot of these devices because I prefer standalone recorders, but lugging around my HD24XR for 4-channel jobs is getting a little annoying.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have. I don't have a budget per se but don't want to spend $1000's of dollars.

If you prefer standalone recorders, why not just use one?
Edirol R-44
I think there are a few companies that modify these things to increase the performance of the micamps.

I also wouldn't be afraid of external batteries. A few devices support professional XLR-4 DC power @ 12VDC. Such interfaces in include the MOTU Traveller, Apogee Ensemble (with the DC option, out of you budget), Metric Halo ULN-8 (out of your budget)... but any device that has a mini-plug on it with a DC input could conceivably be used with a battery. This might not be such a bad idea anyways, such a battery could even power your laptop and give you complete independence on reliance from house power.

[Corran]

I was thinking about the R-44, but with the addition of a battery and such I was thinking it was going to be too much of an expenditure. Metric Halo, etc. is only for Mac.

I asked in the Music Computer forum about FW interfaces and apparently ExpressCard34's do not provide enough power for anything, except maybe the MOTU Traveler since it is a very low-power device. But I don't know anyone who has one so there is no way to test.

I decided to go with my original idea - a Fast Track Ultra and an MBox with SPDIF out to the FTU, which should give me 4-channels with no power source (no promises on how long it'll last on my laptop though ). This gives me an easy, up to 6 mics interface with a power source (I have an M-audio DMP-3 for the last two channels) as well as a possible powerless 2 or 4 channels. Lots of options basically, and it only cost me $250. For bigger jobs the HD24XR is still king, and I can still use the Lightbridge for full 24-track backup.

Speaking of which, I should be able to fully test that coming up next week with an orchestra gig I have. I'll definitely be posting something about that - this little netbook with 24-channels of possible input is a pretty slick deal I think!

[mixedupsteve]

Not a reply to your question but I'm getting one of these for festival / outdoor shows. I'll be a big hit at Earthday!!

[Corran]

Wow that's cool. thumbsup

[BrianHanke]

Originally Posted by Corran

I decided to go with my original idea - a Fast Track Ultra and an MBox with SPDIF out to the FTU, which should give me 4-channels with no power source (no promises on how long it'll last on my laptop though ).

When you get a chance I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about the Fast Track Ultra. I've been considering picking one up, but reports of stability issues on the M-Audio forums have made me hesitate. I'd love to get some real-world impressions of the unit. Many thanks!

[Corran]

Sure. I had some issues with drivers for the Lightbridge but getting a good-quality FW port and the latest drivers (especially after upgrading to Service Pack 3) cleared up the problems. I'm sure it's similar issues with other people.

[BrianHanke]

Originally Posted by Corran

Sure. I had some issues with drivers for the Lightbridge but getting a good-quality FW port and the latest drivers (especially after upgrading to Service Pack 3) cleared up the problems. I'm sure it's similar issues with other people.

Actually, I was wondering about the Fast Track Ultra in particular. It has all the features I need, plus I'm thinking USB might provide a more stable connection than the firewire interface that I have now. Still, I read lots of complaints about the FTU on the M-Audio forums, both about the hardware and drivers. Not sure how much credence to give those reports though…

[Corran]

I mean to say that they probably didn't have the right or most updated drivers. I will definitely report back with my experience though.

[BrianHanke]

Ah gotcha, sorry for the misunderstanding! Looking forward to your report.