Interface vs. FW mixer

[funkadelickbass]

I am at a dead lock...

for recording simple demos and rehearsals for my band (one of each...bass, guitar, drums and vox) what would be better for quick, easy, and above all quality...

PreSonus FirePod ($499)

or

Alesis MultiMix FireWire 16 mixer ($599)

Both come with Cubase LE and both hook right up to my computer with a firewire...I am really new to recording and I hate asking sales guys that work on commission...

Thanx
Andrew

 

[chrisp2u]

Essentially, they do the same thing... get the sound into your computer. Pretty much depends on what you'd feel most comfortable using. If you like the tactile feel of pushing faders around, then go with the mixer. All the mixer controls/eq/effects seem kinda useless to me though if you're just using it as an interface, as that's stuff that you probably would want to do mostly in the box anyway and not "print" while recording.

If you're alright with handling it all on screen, go with the presonus interface.

Though I have no experience with either, I'm guessing the Firepod will likely have better conversion and mic pres, and you can daisy-chain multiple Firepod's together. Plus, it has MIDI and S/PDIF, which can come in handy for other future expansion. Also, the Firepod is capable of recording at a higher sampling rate (96 kHz vs. the multimix's 48).

I vote for the Presonus out of those 2.
---
c

 

[EastCoastThump]

I'm using the Firepod now to record rehearsals, and it's great for the money: good sounding pres, compact and secure (compared to a mixer), and no-hassle w/ initial installation, set-ups, or stability.

That said, I'd suggest considering the new Presonus Firestudio, because for not much more money it gives you options for flexible monitor mixing, as well as a range of options for adding 8 more mic pres via the optical input.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Ive looked around and the presonus firepod seems to be the mutts nuts!

 

[agreatheight]

This is all right on. I think the Presonus (or something similar) is the way to go as it has the better pre's and it expandable UNLESS you want to get dual use from the board as a live mixer.

Good luck!

 

[Hawkeye]

You could also go the "separates" route and buy a separate multichannel interface and mixer.

I use a DA-2496 Edirol 8-channel (with two mic pres) interface and a Yamaha MG 12/4 mixer for monitoring and some line level synth inputs.

The mixer was new (less than $250) and the interface (which works perfectly) cost me all of $130 on Ebay. I like the flexibility of separate line level inputs because I can use higher quality outboard mic preamps / compressors.

There is lots of flexibility with this type of setup.

A mixer with direct outs on each channel (which you can pick up used) into something like an M-Audio Delta 1010 is a rock solid choice too. There are plenty of tried-and-true "old tech" PCI card-based interfaces out there that have better and more stable performance than some of the newer firewire stuff.

 

[funkadelickbass]

I like what Hawkeye was taking about...any one have more info on this?

Or any other sugestions

 

[funkadelickbass]

would it be better to have each mic on its own track or just each perons stuff (ie bass one and drums on another)

 

[funkadelickbass]

Ok would it be better to do:


inter face
vox---------------------> input 1\
guitar-------------------> input 2 \
Bass--------------------> input 3 \
drums-->kick------------> input 4 >--> Comp.
snare-----------> input 5 /
over head 1-----> input 6 /
over head 2-----> input 7/

or

smaller interface
vox--------------------------------> input 1\
guitar------------------------------> input 2 \
Bass-------------------------------> input 3 >-->to comp.
drums->kick--------\ --> input 4/
snare-------\ /
over head 1-->--> mixer/
over head 2-/



also does any one know any thing about PCI? where can I learn more?

 

[Hawkeye]

Any time you can separate as many individual components as possible to go into the DAW as separate tracks, the more flexibility you're going to have later on with plugs, levels for final mix etc.

Your first scenario is preferable because the levels of all the different inputs can later be independently mixed / EQ'd. More tracks is always preferable.

BUT.. given the constraints of budget etc. if your interface has less inputs, or your computer runs out of gas recording 8 channels at once (any recent spec Pentium 4 should give you all the horsepowr you need though) then you may have to go with a submix for the drums as you've indicated. This is not preferable but it is a legitimate work-around if you have insufficient number of channels available for simultaneous recording and you can experiment with mic placement for the drums to dial in the submix prior to recording. You also need a pretty even-handed drummer who can play consistently.

"PCI" is just the type of card interface that a lot of computers use. The vast majority of desktops have available PCI slots to put an interface card into. As I recall, this type of card interface is slowly being phased out with a new type whose acronym I can't seem to remember.

 

[funkadelickbass]

ahh ok...sop no PCI....Thanx

It seems I am going to go with the firepod...I coned My little bro into healping me fit the bill in exchange for me recording his band...this leaves me with more money for my rig that needs some un-needed upgrading

 

[Hawkeye]

ahh ok...sop no PCI....Thanx

It seems I am going to go with the firepod...I coned My little bro into healping me fit the bill in exchange for me recording his band...this leaves me with more money for my rig that needs some un-needed upgrading

Sounds like a good choice. The Presonus stuff is well-regarded. You've taken your first step into a "bigger world".