M-Audio Delta 1010 or 1010LT?

[Kronos]

I'm debating on which of the two of these to get.

As of right now, I definitely need at least 7-8 inputs just to record drums (recording each separately). Now, the LT boasts 10 inputs (and I did a search on here and found one thread that talked about this), 8 of which are usable. Now, how would you go about using them, since they're all RCA inputs, and seem to actually be 4 channels of L/R stereo inputs instead of 8 individual mono channels? Would I need adapters out the wazoo?

Which is why I also looked at the Delta 1010. The only problem with this is the price. Although I could just plunk down my IRS stimulus check to get this, I'd rather not, since I'm also trying to save to get a newer vehicle.

Just an FYI, I currently have one open PCI slot, so using more than one card is not an option. Also, will this conflict with my current sound card?

I will be using Sonar's Cakewalk 7 Producer Edition for recording.


**EDITED TO ADD***

I'm also looking at a Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 as well. So far, this is the leader of the pack. Anyone know if this works well with Sonar?

Any info would be quite helpful.

[funkmuffin]

I'd recommend the LT. Why spend all that extra $$ for a box with inputs?

To your question about how to use the inputs, just get a RCA to 1/4" snake and you're set, assuming you have 8 preamps. Only the first two inputs on the card have preamps. I'm using a soundcraft mixer that has direct outs on the first 8 channels -- those run directly to the 1010 via the snake.

Don't worry about the stereo pairs. As long as you're recording to mono tracks, the computer won't know the difference. Just hook up one input to each track and you should be good to go.

FWIW -- I use mine this way. I'm recording in Linux, though, and the inputs just show up as 1-10, and I can route them anywhere I want. I'm even thinking about getting a second 1010 LT to get 16X16, mainly to have the outputs for analog mixdown.

Just recorded drums this weekend, 8 mics at once, and the results are great.

[Kronos]

Originally Posted by funkmuffin

I'd recommend the LT. Why spend all that extra $$ for a box with inputs?

To your question about how to use the inputs, just get a RCA to 1/4" snake and you're set, assuming you have 8 preamps. Only the first two inputs on the card have preamps. I'm using a soundcraft mixer that has direct outs on the first 8 channels -- those run directly to the 1010 via the snake.

Don't worry about the stereo pairs. As long as you're recording to mono tracks, the computer won't know the difference. Just hook up one input to each track and you should be good to go.

FWIW -- I use mine this way. I'm recording in Linux, though, and the inputs just show up as 1-10, and I can route them anywhere I want. I'm even thinking about getting a second 1010 LT to get 16X16, mainly to have the outputs for analog mixdown.

Just recorded drums this weekend, 8 mics at once, and the results are great.

Damn. I didn't know I needed a preamp to record the drum tracks. That's where a crap ton of money is going to go, then, isn't it...

What would happen if I hooked the drum mics direct? Would the input levels be too low?

[laboitenoire]

Yeah, they would be. The Tascam interface is nice from what I've read, and supposedly plays nice with Sonar. Just make sure your USB 2.0 bandwidth isn't already taken up by too much stuff (i.e external drives and peripherals). Also, Alesis makes some mixers that plug directly into your computer via USB or Firewire (your pick) and offer up to 8 preamps.

[Kronos]

Originally Posted by laboitenoire

Yeah, they would be. The Tascam interface is nice from what I've read, and supposedly plays nice with Sonar. Just make sure your USB 2.0 bandwidth isn't already taken up by too much stuff (i.e external drives and peripherals). Also, Alesis makes some mixers that plug directly into your computer via USB or Firewire (your pick) and offer up to 8 preamps.

Ok, here's the deal.

I already have recording software (Sonar Cakewalk 7 Producer Edition), and I need to record on a budget. I need something with at least 8 inputs that will record as separate channels to do the drums. Otherwise, I have no issues recording anything else.

I don't have a lot of money since I spent a lot of it on Sonar.

What would you recommend that I use for my computer?

[laboitenoire]

Well, the Tascam US-1641 has gotten some pretty decent reviews as I said. That's probably the best option for USB on a limited budget. If your computer has a Firewire (IEEE 1394) port you could go for an Alesis IO-26 or a PreSonus FP-10 (formerly known as the FirePod). Those are all around $400 and all have eight mic pres built in. If you spent $500 you could get the PreSonus FireStudio, which is a slightly improved version of the FP-10.

For $600, you could buy the Alesis MultiMix 16 USB 2.0 (The 2.0 is very important, as it allows multi-track recording). It's gotten very good user reviews, and is a full mixing board. It offers 8 microphone inputs, as well as four stereo pairs in case you want to record drums, keys, and guitars at the same time. So, in terms of an I/O perspective, that or the Tascam unit would give you the most options.

As for mics, you'll need at least two for drums (assuming you don't have them yet). MXL mics are good budget mics, but if you can spend a little more, check out Cascade mics. The M37 and M39 mics have good reviews, and would be great for cymbal/snare/hi-tom applications. Throw in a large diaphragm condenser like one of those MXLs on the bass and low toms and you should have a decent mic rack for recording drums. Plus, all of those mics could double for other instruments when drums aren't being recorded.

[nonfatmatt]

If you're deciding between the 1010s, definitely go with the 1010 with the box, its SNR ratio is a good 10db higher than the 1010lt, so better quality. I'm wary about USB 2 interfaces, I'd much rather go firewire.

[hunta]

Originally Posted by nonfatmatt

I'm wary about USB 2 interfaces, I'd much rather go firewire.

+1. Avoid USB like the plague if you're going with more than 2 inputs. Firewire is vastly superior (as long as it's TI).

[laboitenoire]

Originally Posted by hunta

+1. Avoid USB like the plague if you're going with more than 2 inputs. Firewire is vastly superior (as long as it's TI).

This is not always the case. I've used an Edirol UA-1000 to record 8 inputs simultaneously tens of times over USB into a computer with a 2.8 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB of RAM, and a 5400 RPM IDE hard disk. As long as you're not using a hub on your system and plugging directly into a jack, then USB is perfectly fine. Also, it helps if you don't use too many external disk drives. Plus, the 1010 costs more than pretty much all of the interfaces I mentioned and it doesn't even have one mic preamp onboard.

[projectMalamute]

Originally Posted by laboitenoire

This is not always the case. I've used an Edirol UA-1000 to record 8 inputs simultaneously tens of times over USB into a computer with a 2.8 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB of RAM, and a 5400 RPM IDE hard disk. As long as you're not using a hub on your system and plugging directly into a jack, then USB is perfectly fine. Also, it helps if you don't use too many external disk drives. Plus, the 1010 costs more than pretty much all of the interfaces I mentioned and it doesn't even have one mic preamp onboard.

I can name scores of interfaces more expensive than that without micamps. When you get beyond the prosumer type stuff you almost never see integrated preamps. The 1010 is a very inexpensive way to get in to high quality recording, 8 balanced pro line level ins and outs. That other stuff is for demos and other applications where sound quality is not really a concern.