Topic: Multitrack interface recommendations

[balou2]

Getting ready to start multitracking.  I'm undecided on what to get, therefore don't have a specific budget to work with.  I am NOT thinking about breaking the bank on this.

What are your recommendations?  I'll be in the field, and my laptop will be small.  Looking at both USB and Firewire at this point.

- Edirol FA-101 looks nice.  Not too expensive, and does 10 channels.
- M-Audio 18/14

What else? 

[TNJazz]

I would avoid M-audio products.  I can provide horror stories if you like.

Metric Halo is Mac only, as far as I know

Edirol products are somewhat suspect in build quality (resampling digital input, crappy preamps - that's why people buy them and have them modded)

Buy RME and you won't regret it.  I'd recommend the multiface for 18in/18 out or the Fireface.

[balou2]

I like the RME unit, but that is too much for my bank right now.  Thanks though.

[TNJazz]

Look at the multiface.  they're 350-400 used and are 18in/18out.  no preamps (8 line in, 8 lightpipe, spdif) but outstaning converters.  also very flexible for upgrading down the line.  i'm assuming you're looking at a device to do 2 audience mics and 2 sbd lines only? 

i use a multi as my home sound card.  rock solid and very clean.  it's worth the extra $100 or so you'd sink into it on the front end.

Dirk

[balou2]

Look at the multiface.  they're 350-400 used and are 18in/18out.  no preamps (8 line in, 8 lightpipe, spdif) but outstaning converters.  also very flexible for upgrading down the line.  i'm assuming you're looking at a device to do 2 audience mics and 2 sbd lines only? 

i use a multi as my home sound card.  rock solid and very clean.  it's worth the extra $100 or so you'd sink into it on the front end.

Dirk

Thanks Dirk.  Actually, I'm not looking for something for board and mics.  The UA-5 will do that.  I'm just looking for something that will allow me to go 8-12 tracks, directly to a laptop.  I would love to get a fatty HD multitrack recorder, but the ones in my budget are not enough.  The Fostex I looked at is 8 track, but only let's you do 4 simultaneously.  I'd like to run mics on stage (8-12 of them) specifically.  Many of the boards I record from are "full" and only allow for a matrix out, which frankly just doesn't sound good since the mix is to the house sound.  I could EASILY improve the mix by taking a multi-track stage mix, and running board mix of the vocals.  I can combine in post.  Does the RME run USB or Firewire out?  For some reason I want to think it runs on PCI card.

[balou2]

Anybody worked with MOTU equipment?  The new MOTU Ultralite looks like a good option.

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite

The Traveler looks sweet too, and can run on a battery, both via firewire and standalone as a mixer. 

I've not worked with MOTU, only heard their rep, which is fine.  Comments?

[RebelRebel]

I think someone here (steve j?) uses the motu.
I was going to suggest the lynx aes 15 but..

[balou2]

I think someone here (steve j?) uses the motu.
I was going to suggest the lynx aes 15 but..

I see the Lynx AES16, but not a 15.  Are they the same animal?  The AES 16 is a PCI card.  I'd still need an interface to support multi-track inputs (I'm looking for AT LEAST 8, but preferable 10 or more) so this wouldn't work, I don't think.  I like Lynx product though....

[TNJazz]

Look at the multiface.  they're 350-400 used and are 18in/18out.  no preamps (8 line in, 8 lightpipe, spdif) but outstaning converters.  also very flexible for upgrading down the line.  i'm assuming you're looking at a device to do 2 audience mics and 2 sbd lines only? 

i use a multi as my home sound card.  rock solid and very clean.  it's worth the extra $100 or so you'd sink into it on the front end.

Dirk

Thanks Dirk.  Actually, I'm not looking for something for board and mics.  The UA-5 will do that.  I'm just looking for something that will allow me to go 8-12 tracks, directly to a laptop.  I would love to get a fatty HD multitrack recorder, but the ones in my budget are not enough.  The Fostex I looked at is 8 track, but only let's you do 4 simultaneously.  I'd like to run mics on stage (8-12 of them) specifically.  Many of the boards I record from are "full" and only allow for a matrix out, which frankly just doesn't sound good since the mix is to the house sound.  I could EASILY improve the mix by taking a multi-track stage mix, and running board mix of the vocals.  I can combine in post.  Does the RME run USB or Firewire out?  For some reason I want to think it runs on PCI card.

Multiface/multiset runs proprietary firewire cable to a PCMCIA card.  It really doesn't get any better than this, IMO.

8 analog line inputs, 8 inputs via ADAT lightpipe and 2 SPDIF inputs.

If you're taking the lines off the direct outs of a console, this is the ideal device.  Like I said, I use mine as my home soundcard.  Have my DAT plugged into the SPDIF input, and several other things (cassette deck, FM, XM, etc) plugged into the other various line inputs.  In the field I'm using an Alesis HD24, but that's probably not something you're looking for.

Another option is the Echo Layla.

I'd skip Lynx - they're top of the line but probably out of your price range (based on your first response above).

MOTU is decent overall, but their preamps are poor quality.  The D/A conversion is great though.

Dirk

[RebelRebel]

yeah i fat fingered...aes 16.

I think someone here (steve j?) uses the motu.
I was going to suggest the lynx aes 15 but..

I see the Lynx AES16, but not a 15.  Are they the same animal?  The AES 16 is a PCI card.  I'd still need an interface to support multi-track inputs (I'm looking for AT LEAST 8, but preferable 10 or more) so this wouldn't work, I don't think.  I like Lynx product though....

[balou2]

Look at the multiface.  they're 350-400 used and are 18in/18out.  no preamps (8 line in, 8 lightpipe, spdif) but outstaning converters.  also very flexible for upgrading down the line.  i'm assuming you're looking at a device to do 2 audience mics and 2 sbd lines only? 

i use a multi as my home sound card.  rock solid and very clean.  it's worth the extra $100 or so you'd sink into it on the front end.

Dirk

Thanks Dirk.  Actually, I'm not looking for something for board and mics.  The UA-5 will do that.  I'm just looking for something that will allow me to go 8-12 tracks, directly to a laptop.  I would love to get a fatty HD multitrack recorder, but the ones in my budget are not enough.  The Fostex I looked at is 8 track, but only let's you do 4 simultaneously.  I'd like to run mics on stage (8-12 of them) specifically.  Many of the boards I record from are "full" and only allow for a matrix out, which frankly just doesn't sound good since the mix is to the house sound.  I could EASILY improve the mix by taking a multi-track stage mix, and running board mix of the vocals.  I can combine in post.  Does the RME run USB or Firewire out?  For some reason I want to think it runs on PCI card.

Multiface/multiset runs proprietary firewire cable to a PCMCIA card.  It really doesn't get any better than this, IMO.

8 analog line inputs, 8 inputs via ADAT lightpipe and 2 SPDIF inputs.

If you're taking the lines off the direct outs of a console, this is the ideal device.  Like I said, I use mine as my home soundcard.  Have my DAT plugged into the SPDIF input, and several other things (cassette deck, FM, XM, etc) plugged into the other various line inputs.  In the field I'm using an Alesis HD24, but that's probably not something you're looking for.

Another option is the Echo Layla.

I'd skip Lynx - they're top of the line but probably out of your price range (based on your first response above).

MOTU is decent overall, but their preamps are poor quality.  The D/A conversion is great though.

Dirk

Hmmm...interesting.  What is the power situation like?  Is it bus powered?  Can it run from a batter?  I checked the site, but didn't find a reference.  I'd like to be able to use it as standalone -> 2track also.

[balou2]

Look at the multiface.  they're 350-400 used and are 18in/18out.  no preamps (8 line in, 8 lightpipe, spdif) but outstaning converters.  also very flexible for upgrading down the line.  i'm assuming you're looking at a device to do 2 audience mics and 2 sbd lines only? 

i use a multi as my home sound card.  rock solid and very clean.  it's worth the extra $100 or so you'd sink into it on the front end.

Dirk

Have you seen any used ones recently?

[RebelRebel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nuendo-Multiset-Rme-Multiface-and-pci-card_W0QQitemZ7394175528QQcategoryZ41784QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[balou2]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nuendo-Multiset-Rme-Multiface-and-pci-card_W0QQitemZ7394175528QQcategoryZ41784QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

+t Teddy.

I'll watch this over night and see how much it goes up.

[RebelRebel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nuendo-Multiset-Rme-Multiface-and-pci-card_W0QQitemZ7394175528QQcategoryZ41784QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

+t Teddy.

I'll watch this over night and see how much it goes up.

id hammersnipe that thing.