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FW Mixer vs. FW Recording Interface???

portaflexer

portaflexer

Jan 31, 2007
1,218
282
TX Hill Country
#1
Okay guys I think I need a little help here. I currently run an 8 channel analog mixer into my G5 via the audio in port and use GarageBand to record. I've been thinking about stepping up to a Firewire mixer like [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] or [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. However I also notice the FW "recording interfaces" like [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Am I confused here or do they both do the same thing?

I use the mixer to get bass, guitar, keyboard, vocals into my computer. I've never used more than 4 channels on the mixer I have. I'm planning on sticking with GarageBand so I don't care about the free software... what do I want?
 
#2
Don't know anyone using these Alesis , so I can't comment on these.

Check this one;
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/8pre/

You'll have 8 very fine preamps , and "Cuemix" is a virtual mixer and can be use as a standalone mixer too.

If you absolutly want to keep a "mixer" format , check these too:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Anything that has an OSX driver would do the job , just depends on your budget and how good of a sound you want.
 
#4
You don't need another mixer to accomplish what you're trying to do. All you need is a firewire interface (your best bet being the Presonus Firepod since the price recently dropped into your range) and a handful of patch cables.

A firewire mixer is nothing more than an analog mixer with a firewire recording interface integrated into it. They're decent, but nothing special. People got along fine for years without them.
 
#8
I'd say just features. The manufacturers aren't real open to speaking of the quality of their AD/DA chips and circuits. I imaging that the average user couldn't tell anyhow. FW interfaces seem to advertise higher sample rates. Just as a rule of thumb, but not scientifically, I like to record with as high a sample rate as I can, and keep it in that rate until final mix down. But judging how everything ends up as mp3's it may not matter. FW interfaces tend to also have more parallel recording channels - like you can record 4 or 8 at once, mixers usually just 2. Mixers tend to have lots of knobs. The cool mixers have motorized faders, but they cost much more, and you can do this in software anyhow.
 
#12
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This is the one I have...Works as a firewire interface and has nice sounding pre-amps. Good digital effects.. It's about the same price as a stand alone firewire (it's like getting a free mixer) Very reliable --I use it with Seinberg Nuendo...
 

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