Firewire Mixer vs. Interface

[Nilo Santos]

I am getting a MacPro with Logic 8 Studio.

Now I am trying to decide on an Interface.
(between the Apogee Ensemble, or the Lynx Aurora 8LT)

But before doing so, I have this question on whether it was possible &/or advisable
to use a Mixer with a built-in Interface instead? - (and if so, which model could be suggested).

I am building this home-type studio inside a Social Club, where we have live performances.
The Social Club will be set-up with a live sound system.

I wanted a Mixer that I could also possibly use for both the live sound performances and the studio as well.
I thought it could serve two purposes (for recording & live sound) - and thirdly, also record the live sound performances.

Is such a thing advisable? - or is it better to keep the two separate? - (and just stick to the Mac/Interface system for recording?)
Then, just get a Mixer for the live performances? - In this case, how do I record the live performance?

In this connection, I checked out the Tascam FW1884 ($1,000) - Would this be better that a Mackie, Euphonix, etc?

However, if it is not advisable to go with Mixers (instead of an Interface) - Then I will move on to choose an Interface.

Thank you.

[travisbrown]

The Mackie Onyx 1620 or 1640 with Firewire option might be a good choice. That would be the first setup I'd consider for your application. It would be a very cost effective solution too.

[big country]

this I like !

PreSonus

[Nilo Santos]

Yes, I looked at the Mackie Onyx 1640 Firewire.
But do you think that the Mic Pre's on it are good enough?

- or is there a better Mixer out there maybe? - Yamaha N series?

[Nilo Santos]

Could someone answer this:

Originally Posted by toasteh

Currently have a Fireface 400 and am very pleased with it, however I am in dire need of more inputs and outputs. That made me look at the Fireface 800, but then a mate of mine asked me why I just did not get a Mackie Onyx mixer instead.

What would be the wisest choice and what is the main difference between a mixer and an Audio Interface except for the obvious looks?:) The quality of the processing? A/D D/A Converters? Better preamps?

Also, if I get an Onyx mixer, will i need to buy an a/d d/a converter seperate or is one included?

[travisbrown]

Originally Posted by Nilo Santos

Yes, I looked at the Mackie Onyx 1640 Firewire.
But do you think that the Mic Pre's on it are good enough?

Yeah, the Onyx preamps are quite good. People will say, "they are good enough as utility preamps," but secretly they think they are better than that. There are lots of posts on the onyx preamps.

Rent a 1640 for a week and try it out. Any store would probably credit the rent fee if you ended up purchasing.

You should delete your identical post so you get answers in one place: Control surface plus f/w interface vs. Mixer with f/w interface

[Nilo Santos]

Will the other mixers (Yamaha N series, Mackie Control series, Euphonix MC Mix, Tascam FW1884) - work for live sound performance?
- or is it still just the Mackie Onyx, as the best choise?

And to paraphrase the above question again:

"What would be the wisest choice to make, and what is the main difference between the Mixer and an Audio Interface?
The quality of the processing? - A/D D/A Converters? - Better preamps?"

"Also, if I get an Onyx mixer, will I need to buy an AD/DA converter separate, or is one included?"

Thank you.

[protoculture]

Yes the N series can be used live.

Connects via firewire.... I'm very happy with it.

[HeavyG]

Nilo,
I almost bought the Onyx...but I bought a lot of gear and bought the Alesis FW16 mixer instead (as it is a bout $1000 cheaper). I know the pres are not quite as good...but it has been surprisingly versatile and plays nicely with Logic. I also wanted something that could be used as a live mixer.

The Onyx FW Card does D/A conversion...you will not need a stand alone converter. Great choice...the Mackie should rock your project studio.

Cheers,