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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: mblindsey on June 01, 2014, 02:44:39 PM

Title: 10 channels pres->??-> Win8 PC
Post by: mblindsey on June 01, 2014, 02:44:39 PM
This is a crosspost from one I made at gearslutz, but I assume there are people here that have home project studios too.  So, I thought I would take a shot to see if anyone here can help...thanks!

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Over the years, I've collected a few stereo mic preamps:

Two Grace Design Lunatec V3s (analog, coax spdif , or AES out)
Apogee MiniMP (analog out)
Apogee MiniME (coax spdif, AES out)
Sound Devices MP2 (analog out)

..also Apogee MiniDAC

My Win7 PC is getting a little on the slow side for me in terms of speed, especially for video editing, so I want to upgrade everything. That will mean a fresh copy of Win8 on an Asrock motherboard with thunderbolt ports and USB 3.0.

I currently have a FireWire based Presonus firestudio, and I've had problems with it over the years and it's out of support.

Goals:

- solid AD
- works in Windows 8
- is not FireWire
- 24/192
- 8 analog in min
- one coax spdif or XLR AES in for my MiniME
- low latency, I'm the whole band. So, I playback and record
- Reaper is my DAW

I'm not opposed to older gear (Apogee AD16x & RME card?), but USB (3.0?) or thunderbolt is a plus. I've checked out the websites of focusrite, motu, UAD, et al. I guess the newer motu 828x would work. Anyone here have a similar setup and good luck with a particular interface or standalone AD + PCIe card? Budget? I would like to cover my 10 existing channels with room, so 16 in and less than $2k (if possible)?

Thanks in advance,
Michael
Title: Re: 10 channels pres->??-> Win8 PC
Post by: hi and lo on June 01, 2014, 03:00:26 PM
Why on earth would you want to upgrade to Win 8? Windows 7 is superior in virtually every way.
Title: Re: 10 channels pres->??-> Win8 PC
Post by: mblindsey on June 01, 2014, 03:19:54 PM

Why on earth would you want to upgrade to Win 8? Windows 7 is superior in virtually every way.


It's getting close to the two year mark since it was released.  At this point, I feel comfortable moving on and I don't think it is lesser OS.  As long as I'm building new, I might as well go with the flow.  Drivers and support for Win7 by companies that make audio interfaces will start to take a back seat as Win8 adoption rates continue to climb.  That's just a fact of product cycle life.  I could figure out a way stay on Win7 for a long time, but I don't want to.  I think I'm moving over close to the sweet spot in the lifecycle.  Hell, Win9 release dates are already starting to leak...can't hold on to Win7 forever.  But, I digress...
Title: Re: 10 channels pres->??-> Win8 PC
Post by: runonce on June 01, 2014, 03:28:09 PM
I switch back and forth between 7 and 8 daily - no issues.

I never find myself thinking..."Darn this Windows 8!"

I dont use the Metro features - but I guess if I had Win phone - I might pay more attention to those.
Title: Re: 10 channels pres->??-> Win8 PC
Post by: 2manyrocks on June 01, 2014, 03:49:24 PM
Not sure that I know of anything that meets all your requirements. 

In terms of recording 10 channels, there's the baby Presonus SL16.02 or whatever, but it's firewire.  Supposedly, Behringer has the iX16 coming, too, which could be interesting if it really is similar to the X32, but I haven't seen an official release date yet.
Title: Re: 10 channels pres->??-> Win8 PC
Post by: ScoobieKW on June 01, 2014, 04:13:32 PM
I own a Tascam US-1800.  16 Channel 1RU USB 2.0 unit. Currently selling for $240 or so.

192/24 bit. USB 2
8 ) Microphone Preamps
2 ) Variable Line inputs/HighZ 1/4"
4 ) 1/4" Line Input
1 )  2 Channel SPDIF In/Out


Here's a recent multi track recorded with the interface.
http://kennedy-williams.net/scoobiesnax/2014/05/fundamental-forces-egans-ballard-jam-house-2014-05-24/
Title: Re: 10 channels pres->??-> Win8 PC
Post by: mblindsey on June 01, 2014, 06:06:26 PM
Someone on gearslutz pointed me to this:

http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_ufx.php#11

A bit spendy, may be worth it?  I'm not sure where the diminishing returns come in and it's ~10x of the aforementioned Tascam....