Topic: Firewire410 vs. UA5

[RRobar]

Ok, seeing that I have this new iBook and I am on the quest to build a affordable 24 bit rig. I'm wondering if anoye has insight on the Firewire410 vs. the UA5. I've owned a stock UA5 in the past and I'm not opposed to owning it again. I'd like something with a bit more on the pre side. I was never very impressed with the UA5 pre. Is there more to be gained with the firewire410? The price seems to be a bit more than a UA5 but that is secondary really. I'm not sure what mics I'll end up with but It may be some Adk LD mics or sometthing similar. Right now I'm looking for input on the pre/ad section.

I'm not in the market for a V3 right now so those are not an option (for now at least) and I had the mme which would be killer right now, but since that is gone I'm looking in the mid range for price and performance.

[John Kelly]

I think there are a few other people on here that have the fw410, but I absolutely love it.  I think it sounds great (although I'd love to run it with something other than my crappy Octavas....May can't come soon enough).

The only advantage I give the UA-5 over the fw410 is the ability to do an on-site matrix.  With the fw410, only two channels of analog can be processed at a time, while the UA-5 will record from both sets of analog inputs at the same time.  But it's never really bothered me, as I hardly ever do a matrix, let alone an on-site matrix.

I also think the layout of the fw410 is much better than the UA-5.  I've accidentally hit the phantom power button on the UA-5 numerous times while adjusting levels, but the phantom power button on the fw140 is next to the unit power button, a much better place IMO.

Plus, the fw410 is built like a tank.  It has a very professional "feel" to it, something I could  never say about the UA-5 when I was using it.

Here are a couple of my favorite examples:
Guster 2004/03/01 - http://www.archive.org/audio/audio-details-db.php?id=10713
Rainmarket 2004/02/28 - http://www.archive.org/audio/audio-details-db.php?id=10635
Carbon Leaf 2003/12/17 - http://www.archive.org/audio/audio-details-db.php?id=9054

[mfh2014]

I'll second the FW410 recomendation...as far as matrices go...it will record 2 channels of analog as well as 2 channels of digital (coax or optical)...so if you have an outboard a/d, or can patch the aud from a digital source, you'll be fine...I've never run a UA-5, so i can't really compare the two...and as far as price, I got my FW410 for $325 new...so i think that is about the same as the UA-5....for the last few months I've been running Audix SCX-1 and have been quite pleased with the results...let me know if you'd like to hear some examples...

matt

[RRobar]

Is the Firewire410 powered the same as a UA5? I'd like to be able to run off lighter batteries than a 12v.

[F.O.Bean]

wonder if theres any "mods" that can be done to the 410 ala ua5

[RRobar]

I'm not really concerned with a digi mod for either as I plan on running the iBook exclusively. But a preamp mod does interest me.

[F.O.Bean]

I'm not really concerned with a digi mod for either as I plan on running the iBook exclusively. But a preamp mod does interest me.

PAGING DOUG OADE, PAGING DOUG OADE

[mfh2014]

The FW410 runs off 12V or cn be powered by your laptop throught the FW bus, as long as your laptop has a 6pin firewire connection...which is what I do...

[John Kelly]

I'll second the FW410 recomendation...as far as matrices go...it will record 2 channels of analog as well as 2 channels of digital (coax or optical)...so if you have an outboard a/d, or can patch the aud from a digital source, you'll be fine...I've never run a UA-5, so i can't really compare the two...and as far as price, I got my FW410 for $325 new...so i think that is about the same as the UA-5....for the last few months I've been running Audix SCX-1 and have been quite pleased with the results...let me know if you'd like to hear some examples...

matt

True, you can record two channels of digital, but it would require a multitrack recording program.  And you'd still have to mix it after the fact...

Still, the fw410 is better.

[nic]

I'll second the FW410 recomendation...as far as matrices go...it will record 2 channels of analog as well as 2 channels of digital (coax or optical)...so if you have an outboard a/d, or can patch the aud from a digital source, you'll be fine...I've never run a UA-5, so i can't really compare the two...and as far as price, I got my FW410 for $325 new...so i think that is about the same as the UA-5....for the last few months I've been running Audix SCX-1 and have been quite pleased with the results...let me know if you'd like to hear some examples...

matt

True, you can record two channels of digital, but it would require a multitrack recording program.  And you'd still have to mix it after the fact...

Still, the fw410 is better.

you'll get the best results mixing down afterwards anyways!
this way you can add the correct amount of delay if needed, etc...nicer when you have 4 tracks to work instead of just 2