Do I really need a fireface? I only want 2 I/Os!! But I want fireface sound quality..

[hum-free]

Damn, there are so many firewire interfaces out there! And way more GS threads about them!! After reading most of them, I am even more confused now than before Please help me!!!

Right now I am using the Steinberg MI4 USB audio interface. This thing works ok, but I don't think it's the holy grail of sound... I have the feeling, a little upgrade here could help improve my recordings.

What I want:

- 2 Mic Pres
- 2 Analog I/Os
- Digital I/O
- "professional" (sorry for the word!) sound and driver quality

Research started

After hours on the GS forum, I first started dreaming of a Fireface 400 (869 Euro). I think, soundwise this would be more than enough for a very long time.

But then again I thought, the fireface is really some kind of "feature overkill" for me. I won't ever need all the I/O options! Maybe I could save some bucks with another interface...

continuing research

So what about a Mackie Onyx 400f (649 Euro)? Ok, still too much I/O, but a bit cheaper. And the pres don't even seem to be worse than the fireface pres...

continuing research

Ok, when the Onyx 400f would do it for me, then I could possibly go with TC Konnekt 24D (499 Euro) or Echo Audiofire 8 (499 Euro). These interfaces got some good reviews here, too. So I could save even more bucks!

continuing research

Ok, the TC Konnekt 8 (329 Euro) seems to have the same audio quality as the Konnekt 24D, only the effects section is missing, but I don't need those fx.

research stopped, being quite confused

So maybe I can get lucky without spending the fireface money!? Yes, the fireface is probably the best of all those interfaces mentioned here, but it is also the most expensive. And is it worth the extra cost for me, when I only need 2 I/Os?

So what do you think:

Coming from the Steinberg MI4 audio interface, will it already be an audible improvement with something like the TC Konnekt 8, or do I have to get on fireface level to really hear an improvement soundwise?

In other words: On a scale from 1 to 10, with Steinberg MI4 on 1 and Fireface 400 on 10, where would you put the TC Konnekt 8?

I really hope you can help me stop my confusion...

[rackdude]

If I were you, I would just get the Konnect24D. Good preamps, good conversion, just the 2 channels you need. The fireface's preamps supposedly aren't as good, but the conversion is on par with eachother.

[tsvisser]

it sounds like you want to buy better mic pres to me. i mean you could do that by buying a better interface that happens to have better pres, but then you waste all that money re-buying something that you already have, meaning the I/O capability.

have you tried putting a better pre in front of your interface and see if that is what you are after? I see that your interface has a digital I/O. I don't know how much an API A2D would cost in Europe, but you would not only get solid pres, but also be able to bypass the MI4's A/D section, if that is a weakness... don't know that it is. You might be able to get a used Apogee Mini-Me or TRAK2 out there somewhere too. If your after a cleaner pre, maybe a used Grace Lunatec V3. (these have digital outputs too)

I would probably take any of these pres over the built in ones on an RME for most situations. ...but don't limit yourself to pres with built in A/D converters, for maybe the Steinberg does an adequate job in the A/D section anyways.

[NathanEldred]

Metric Halo ULN-2. If that doesn't have exactly the right features, then the Fireface is a great deal IMO.

[opium89]

Two words my friend. Echo Audiofire4. It uses the same converters as the Fireface and costs about 800$ less. Though not great preamps, it has two of them, 4 channels I/O and digital in/out. I do have both the Audiofire4 and a Fireface 800 so this is coming from experience when I say you wont go wrong with it. As a little more incentive, their support is great and drivers are top notch.

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by hum-free

there are so many firewire interfaces out there! And way more GS threads about them!! After reading most of them, I am even more confused now than before Please help me!!!

What I want:

- 2 Mic Pres
- 2 Analog I/Os
- Digital I/O
- "professional" sound and driver quality

There are many Firewire interfaces out there, but from the criteria you give one interface pretty much chooses itself:

Metric Halo ULN-2!

[Heiko]

If you're on a PC:

Metric Halo does not work. There are many other options then, but I am as confused as you by their amount, so I better shut up.

If you're on Mac:

ULN-2 is even more expensive than FF400. But it fits the needs you have and has certainly the sound quality you are looking for.
Apogee Duet is way cheaper with comparable sound quality, but it is lacking digital I/O. If you could do without digital, Duet would be the best option.

[hum-free]

Yeah, the Metric Halo ULN-2 would be exactly what I want! Sorry, I forgot to mention that:

I am on PC!!

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a similar device for PC.

Regarding the preamp advice: I think the problem is, I have absolutely no idea, how good or bad the Steinberg MI4 really is, cos I never had the chance to compare it to another interface. But I bought the interface bundled with my Cubase SL 3 for 230 Euros new, so I think neither the preamps nor the converters can be of satisfying quality. In addition, I have the feeling that the drivers and software of the MI4 really aren't that good. All in all, it seems and feels to me more like a toy than like a serious tool for recording, so I really want to swap it completely.

What about the following?

I could get an Audiofire 2, just for having a decent firewire connection with solid drivers. (Not sure about the converter quality though. Not the same converters as on the Audiofire 8 and 12, I heard...)

Then a nice mic pre. Maybe I could get along with an FMR RNP, to save some bucks! Do you think an RNP could be on par with the built-in pres of most interfaces? Or an UA 610 Solo? The API stuff is a bit out of reach for me, I think...

Or I could go for an Apogee Mini-Me instead of a mic pre. Then I've got a decent preamp and nice AD conversion.

And later on, I could go for some real good DA conversion.

With the Audiofire 2/Mini Me combo, it would be a bit more bucks than for a fireface, but maybe a bit more quality also? (Except for the DA side, maybe.)

Greetings

Hum-Free

[hum-free]

Hey, I just stumbled upon another device that would fit my needs quite well:

The Audient Mico!

A 2 channel preamp with integrated A/D for 777 Eur.

So the price is right between Mackie Onyx 400 F and Fireface 400.

But compared to these two, one can say it misses some things like the Firewire connectivity, the lots of I/O channels and the D/A, for instance.

Lastly, they are quite different devices.

But what I'd like to ask you: When I pay almost fireface money, but "only" get 2 mic pres and an A/D, then the quality of the pres and A/D should be at least on an equal level compared to the Fireface and the Mackie Onyx!?

Probably it will have another sound character, and I won't ever find out which I like more before I compared them side by side for myself. But if I knew the sound quality would be comparable, maybe even better yet, then I think it would be more than enough for my needs.

So what do you think??

[stevetgn]

Within their given price range nothing comes close to the Firefaces as an all round package. Plus with all the ADAT in/outs etc you can always purchase higher end converters at a later date if needed and still use them with the Fireface as your audio interface.

I run 2 of them in my studio on a Mac Pro. With my other converters it give me 18 analogue ins & 22 analogue outs. And TotalMix is far superior to anything else at any price!

[Bitfiend]

M-Audio FW 410. Had one for years, its bullet proof, pre's are decent and so are the converters. Don't buy anything Mackie, extremely disappointing. I own the 1640 w/FW, piece of crap.
I'm looking at the Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 i/o vs. PreSonus FireStudio Project vs. MOTU 8pre myself. As i need 7 in-puts right now. Plus these seem to be decent entry level units as right now i'm focusing on the back end of things.

[Zachary]

Originally Posted by Bitfiend

M-Audio FW 410. Had one for years, its bullet proof,

unless your studio is based near a firearms training facility, i would skip past the 410

[+++]

I've used the FF400 quite a lot. It's rock solid and sounds good. The routing features within the software mixer are excellent.

If you are worried about jitter you might want to check into a PCI interface. I've used the RME Multiface into the HDSP PCI Card using outboard pres via analog ins and ADAT ins (RME Micstasy) and it's very solid. This unit doesn't include microphone preamps but you can pick one up for less money than the FF400.

I have an MAUDIO 1814. I would avoid all MAUDIO firewire family products. I've used the 410, too. The drivers are attrocious for both interfaces. The conversion is not good, especially the D/A. I have problems with the pops and clicks on playback. Since I've clocked it to the API A2D I no longer get the pops/clicks. So I'm assuming the internal clock has some kind of issue.

Good Luck

+++

[supernosher]

Bump

[choinga]

If you are on a PC you can't beat the RME drivers. Just rock solid. My DAW is stable as hell since I went with the FF800 about a year ago.

Don't ever think you won't 'need all the inputs'.

When i bought mine I thought the same thing - why would ever need ADAT in/out or SPDIF...well, I just bought a UA 2192 and if I would have scrimped on the interface I'd have whatever I bought on eBay and would be looking at the FF800 again anyway...

It's definitely nice to have the extra channels as well - and the FF's mic-pre's don't suck. Once you hook up a Lavry, API A2D, UA2192, etc... you'll hear the difference - but for most tracks...especially if you've got a nice pre, you'll be fine.

I don't think you can go wrong with the FF800 or a higher end MOTU. Both have exceptional PC drivers and great features.

[choinga]

Originally Posted by +++

If you are worried about jitter you might want to check into a PCI interface. I've used the RME Multiface into the HDSP PCI Card using outboard pres via analog ins and ADAT ins (RME Micstasy) and it's very solid. This unit doesn't include microphone preamps but you can pick one up for less money than the FF400.
+++

That's an option as well - go with a RME 9652 type PCIe device and then pick up a API A2D?

You won't get the analog channels, but you claim not to need them. I think some of those PCI cards (not sure which variants) accept expansion boards that will give you some analog IO should you need it in the future.

The sound quality you'll get by going that route is going to be light years ahead of getting any RME/MOTU and using their mic-pre's. The RME's also clock well - if you have a Lavry, 2192 or other then you'll probably want to clock from that but the RME stands on its own.

[astronmr20]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

Metric Halo ULN-2. If that doesn't have exactly the right features, then the Fireface is a great deal IMO.