Downgrading my homesetup to sound better!

[Jadestar]

I always get so few replys here on gs.
Is it because of my nick?

I am no audiopirate


If someone has some info on my setup it would be cool to hear.
Latency issues or bla bla bla.

Peace

[carllock]

I'll help ya, what I would do is save up $650 without selling anything and get two channels of "color" via GAP 73 (the rack kit is $50/GAP's $299@). Then makes sure you can have a nice little summing device or even used mixing board to put cream on top.

I regret selling 90% of the (music) things I ever sold....even just to hoard it....

gear hoarding is not a bad thing if under control

[12strang]

Mbox won't do 96k, 002/003 will do 96k. So get an 002 or 003 to use as a dongle and go with the API a2d and mytek or lavry(or whatever good convertors) and get to work.

[Jadestar]

Thx for the answers.

About getting to work.
I make a living of making and producing music. I work every day.

But I realize that I only need two good channels and I could save both money and quality by downgrading my setup to two channels.
If I cant use the mbox at 96 khz(externally), then it`s useless.
So I`ll just buy a mbox 2 mini.

So then I`ll maybe just keep my fireface and stuff.
But the PERFECT thing would be a really portable setup.
Like an apogee duet and a macbook with small and good monitors, pluss a good external pre.
But as I said, I work professionally and can make no compromise with quality.
The duet is maybe portabel but lacks the quality I`m after.

I need more then two outs. Submixes for the people I work with is essential. I need four outs.

I have never regretted selling gear. I sell things that dont get used. Which means I will not miss it.

I really dont know what is my best solution now. I wanna get rid of my fireface and have 4 channels in and out. But as small and portable as possible. With the best quality possible.

Dont know.. Suggestions is cool.

[James Lehmann]

Sounds like a Metric Halo ULN-2 might be the solution for you - thoroughly professionally-featured and excellent-sounding kit that doesn't cut corners in any area and works perfectly with Logic.

[youngrob]

Originally Posted by The Pirate

But I realize that I only need two good channels and I could save both money and quality by downgrading my setup to two channels.
If I cant use the mbox at 96 khz(externally), then it`s useless.
So I`ll just buy a mbox 2 mini.

So then I`ll maybe just keep my fireface and stuff.
But the PERFECT thing would be a really portable setup.
Like an apogee duet and a macbook with small and good monitors, pluss a good external pre.
But as I said, I work professionally and can make no compromise with quality.
The duet is maybe portabel but lacks the quality I`m after.

I need more then two outs. Submixes for the people I work with is essential. I need four outs.

Dont know.. Suggestions is cool.

You can't use external converters with the mbox mini.

You could go for a digi003r with lynx aurora 8.

I think you could get pro quality out of an apogee duet.

What's your budget sir??

[turk sanchez]

Let's say downsizing instead of downgrading. I had the same idea a few months back - scaled down my personal setup, what I own and use at home, my stuff. Couldn't be happier. Got out of debt and got some new toys as well. Less is more.

[RiF]

Originally Posted by The Pirate

So I`ll just buy a mbox 2 mini.

I would stay away from any USB-based interface like the Mini. It causes nothing but trouble. Go firewire by any means.
I replaced my MBox2 Mini with a 002R just to get rid of all the hassle. Just ignore the other i/o's and be happy with a more solid firewire-based interface, lower possible buffer sizes, 96K option and ADAT for connecting nice converters.
It's not as portable, though...

[Jadestar]

The mbox mini is only to use bd and be compatible with pro tools.
So in other words, the concept of using a mbox or digi 002 or 003 is now out of the picture.

The uln-2 looks good, but it seems a little expensive for the specs.
And I have some doubt if that is a really big step up from my fireface.
But it`s absolutely interesting. thumbsup

If there would have been something like a half rack version of lynx converters with 4 ins anf 4 outs that would have been perfect. Headphone out and volume control would also be awesome.

Maybe it`s best to just buy a little echo card and use external adda in a little rack..

Cant believe that there is no real highend interface with ca 4 in and out at a decent price.
It`s really the time of doing vocs, synths at home..

Thank for the replys. But I really feel lost on this one.
I use my fireface almost everyday when I work from home and are generally happy with it. At the same time I want to downsize and upgrade my quality equipment.

Peace

[rcb4t2]

Sales: $3150

VintageDesign: let's say $1750 used
Fireface 800: let's say $1400 used

Purchases: $3400

Api A2D: ~$1900
MBox 2 Pro: ~$600
Mytek 96 DAC: ~$900

Not saying it's a bad idea, per se, but don't imagine you're saving any money.

Also, selling a preamp you love for a lot of converters may not be the smartest thing... granted, the api should sound awesome, but still... was just posting in another thread about someone who is unhappy with their new expensive conversion. How's your acoustic treatment, btw? A couple hundred bucks towards Owen's Corning is often the best cost-to-benefit upgrade engineers can make...

PS: I'll be sending you a bill for accountant services rendered