Topic: Portable Multitrack interface's (use with Macbook Pro)

[Chimney Top]

Please recommend a portable interface for multitracking.

right now i use the apogee duet.


thanks

[SmokinJoe]

There are dozens on the market.  Budget and input count required will probably narrow it down quickly.  MOTU seems to have a strong following with mac users.  Metric Halo is generally considered top of the line.  Focusrite and Presonus are middle of the road.  Maudio is more budget minded.

One thing to keep in mind... there are "bus powered" ones and ones which require external power.  The bus powered ones get their power from the USB or firewire on your computer.  Seems handy, but it puts a lot of constraints on the electronics designer who only has so much power to draw from.  So maybe they have to cut corners, and maybe they don't have as much headroom as external powered ones.

When it comes to preamps... a lot of people around here who use Grace, Apogee, and Portico for a 2 or 4 track rig may scoff at using lesser gear for multitrack.   While most of us can't afford high end x 24 channels, there is also a reality check...  I can justify having a good preamp behind Schoeps, but do I need a highend preamp behind an SM57 on a distorted guitar cab, etc?  I don't think so.  The concept of "this is good enough" comes into play for me.

[Chris K]

It all depends on what your needs are. How many channels do you need to record at once? What digi i/o options do you need. What is your budget?

More info required.

[TNJazz]

It all depends on what your needs are. How many channels do you need to record at once? What digi i/o options do you need. What is your budget?

More info required.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
what he said

[Chimney Top]

I think Smokin' Joe said it well, 'good enough will do' here.

I think my budget is $100-$500, and that means $500 it's got to really be something special.

key points-

*needs to work well with macbook pro '10
*8 channels or more
*transportation friendly
*USB or Firewire powered, but will consider other options.
and of course good sound, quiet pre's

[rastasean]

zoom r16 is 8 inputs, 16 tracks and that's sitting at around $400, maybe. a little less. Also, only two of those inputs are phantom power.

[Chimney Top]

Any comments on the Edirol FA-101?  It looks pretty decent, but there is probably something better out now...


or Motu Traveler mk3?



I found a decent (local) deal for Tascam 1800 and Motu 8pre being sold together.  feedback on those would be great.

thanks

[Charlie Miller]

Just remember you get what you pay for.

[OmahaAudio]

"I think my budget is $100-$500, and that means $500 it's got to really be something special."

I have a Roland Octa-Capture that I used with a 2010 MacBook Pro and the quality is excellent. It has eight XLR/TRS inputs and will handle another two channels via a coax digital input so that's a simultaneous 10 tracks. I've done eight. With four tracks it will do 24bit/192KHz and with 8-10 it will do 24bit/96KHz. It sells for around $699 but if your keep an eye on websites like www.guitarcenter.com, www.musiciansfriend.com or www.americanmusical.com they always have 10-15% discount deals that the others will match so that would bring it down to, maybe, $595. Still above your budget but the specs seem to fit your needs exactly. You can also find them on EBay for $450-500.