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8 Channel audio interface

J

julo

Jan 18, 2005
370
3
Boulder, CO
#1
Hi everyone,

I looked/searched for the entire afternoon. I have read a few bad things about Presonus but I still consider it.

Could anybody recommend me an audio interface with 8 channels (to record band live), compatible with Mac and Logic and under $700?

I haven't been able to find if I could use that type of interface as a standalone mixer (for live use) without the computer plugged in.

Thank you.
Julo
 
#2
I have the previous incarnation of the Presonus FT10 (called the Firepod back then). It works with a Mac just fine, is well under $700 (I think I paid $500 for mine new; it came with Cubase) and I use it as a standalone mixer all the time (it has no EQ section, though, but for just mixing volumes of different signals it's fine). My band used it to mix an electronic drum set, a bass Line6 Pod, a guitar Line6 Pod, and some vocal mics for late-night apartment rehearsals without a computer. Recommended!
 
#8
selfblessed said:
I to am looking to build the same setup. I was looking a PreSonus FireStudio Project and Logic. What bad things have you heard about the PreSonus? And where? I would like to buy with confidence.
Click to expand...

Well I read quite a few threads here about people having issues with their Presonus:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6108569
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363241

but the alternative proposed is 3 times the price...

StoutXXX said:
I want the Motu...seems perfect
Click to expand...
Same thing with the MOTU, read some bad feedback about their product and their 90 days warranty policy.
 
#14
McThumpin said:
You could probably find a MOTU 896 or 896hd for close to $700 used. That's what I use with Mac/Logic. It's absolutely superb. Never any issues. MOTU makes another less expensive 8 channel interface, too, I think.
Click to expand...

I second this, or say save another couple of hundred and go with the new 896mkIII. Personally, I use an M-Audio Delta 1010 and Octane preamp, but these aren't compatible with the newer Macs that use PCI Express. I'm still not convinced that any FireWire interface is going to have as little latency as a PCI-based system, and in any case, I paid less for my M-Audio setup than the 896HD would have cost me.
 
#15
selfblessed said:
I to am looking to build the same setup. I was looking a PreSonus FireStudio Project and Logic. What bad things have you heard about the PreSonus? And where? I would like to buy with confidence.
Click to expand...

this is my exact setup and it works perfectly. installation was easy and it runs perfectly. i read up on the presonus forums quite a bit before i made my purchase as i had similar concerns. after purchasing i can highly recommend it, no issues here.
 
#16
One of the reasons I went with the M-Audio Delta 1010 and Octane preamp is that it gives me the option to replace the Octane preamp with higher quality preamps in the future. The Octane is very good for its price, but there are better preamps out there. My next upgrade will probably be to Focusrite preamps.

The Delta 1010, however, is very hard to beat as an A/D box. Again, there are better units out there, but you will pay many times the price of the Delta 1010 before you exceed its quality.

The MOTU 896HD and 896mkIII are nice in that they give you the option of 192KHz. As with the Presonus FirePod/FireStudio, though, there is no separation of the mic pres from the A/D side, so if you want to upgrade in the future, you've paid for redundant gear. Another good unit in this vein is the Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 i/o.
 
#17
Thanks guys for the ideas.
I've never heard of Focusrite so I'll check that out.

I hear you about the redundant gear if I want to upgrade only one part of the signal chain but I like ahving only one box in a rack...

Thanks again to all of you.
Keep the ideas coming.

Julo
 
#18
bad things about presonus gear...

Well, as I look at my Firestudio, I wonder would I change about you my little grey and blue friend (and it's other component the digimax fs).

Not much.

I love what the FS Project did, the annoying thing that I find is that I constantly look at the clip light to make sure it's not clipping, at least with the FS Project or Tube, you have an idea when it's going to peak.

The channels are really quiet, no hiss that I ever heard but I have had my drivers on my mac crap out on me (the whole static thing) but I found out that all gear like this, may eventually run into that problem.

Now I never got into 'wiring' and all that fun stuff with hardware and software however the FS central control console is supposed to be some 'fantastic' way to mix things and such, it's weird to learn honestly, I've had this gear for 9 months or so and I'm still not clear on how to use it.

That aside, it's great to record with and I like it.
 
#19
I have the MOTU 828mk III. It is just around the $700 mark. I used it to replace a Presonus Firestudio Project. The Presonus was fine, but I wanted some of the added features in the MOTU. One nice tihng about the MOTU units is that in terms of expansion you can add an 8pre or other device pretty easily. I don't think it's quite as simple with all the Presonus units, at least it wasn't with the Firestudio Project.

Adam
 
#20
I needed to eliminate the troublesome mixer in my PCI based system, and chose to "go for it" so to speak and get my *last* audio interface.

For some background -- the PCI-based rig was an M-Audio 1010LT. I like it, but then you need to supply 8 mic pres to use all the inputs... I replaced it because I switched over to a "hackmac" and the PCI card isn't supported.

Before that, I had a FirePod, which failed one day for no good reason.

With the 896, I get the best of both worlds, and mic pres to boot.

I know it's expensive at just under $1K, but if you shop around, you can find one vendor that offers a payment plan, so that makes it 4 payments of $250 over 90 days, and no credit involved.
 

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