looking to buy an interface

[BAW]

im looking to buy an audio interface for my iMac. im studying audio production and think this is a great way to get some experience and also have some fun. i want one with good pre's, multi track recording, enough to do a full drum kit, and about 4 phantom powered channels.

ive been looking at presonus and tascam stuff. any recomendations?

im looking to put out hi quality home productions. itd also be cool if it came with software since all i have now is garage band. ive used pro tools but have heard that cubase is just as good.

 

[crimson_basser]

I have the presonus firestudio project

8 inputs, all with phantom power
firewire
lots of output options as well
comes with a copy of Cubase as well

has served me well so far
though im in your shoes, just learning about everything and starting out

its not too expensive either
560$ i got it for

 

[BAW]

I have the presonus firestudio project

8 inputs, all with phantom power
firewire
lots of output options as well
comes with a copy of Cubase as well

has served me well so far
though im in your shoes, just learning about everything and starting out

its not too expensive either
560$ i got it for

thanx for the info, theres so much jargon on MF that it was overwhelming trying to figure out exactly what it all meant.

have you done any drums with it?

and how is cubase (compared to protools if you will)

 

[MascisMan]

I got a used Presonus FP10 off of eBay and it has been great! I use it with my Macbook Pro.

 

[billoetjen]

I have their Firebox.
I've been able to make it work, mostly. Sometimes I wish that I had more instrument inputs, but with a mixer and some preamps, my band can all fit in. The firewire link to the computer makes a very clean signal, and the pre's have a lot of headroom and they're super quiet class A. Just don't overdrive it and you will have good results without clipping. They make good stuff, that's solid and reliable.

Bill

 

[crimson_basser]

i have no idea about comparing the softwares
i havent tried pro tools

and i havent done drums yet either
but the pre amps are clean
and youll definitely get a good sound from what youre doing with this

something i read (and im glad i learned this early) the room does more for your sound then good equipment
obviously you have to start somewhere, aka a interface
but make sure (if possible) you invest in acoustic treatment etc to get a good room sound

then work on getting equipment later

or if you have access to a good room, even better

 

[BAW]

yea ive got my acoustic treatment all sorted out, my basement has got a very nice live sound from what i can tell in the few recordings ive done down there

 

[crimson_basser]

well, lucky you haha

the FAQ section on this forum has some excellent links to all sorts of good reads about everything you could possibly imagine

ive found tons of sites through there that have taught me a lot

yeah it definitely is crazy at first
but if you go through it bit by bit, it all falls into place rather quickly

if you have questions, im sure there are lots of people here more experience than I who can answer them for you

or, you can find dedicated forums like www.homerecording.com and others

 

[Noosh]

How much are you looking to spend?

 

[BAW]

How much are you looking to spend?

for the interface, maybe 3-4 hundo

im also lookin to spend more for a few mics and what not but ive got a good amount of equipment already, just need the interface.

 

[theroan]

APOGEE DUET, it was made for macs. Or the Mackie Onyx 400F.

 

[Noosh]

well, in that case, i was going to recommend the digidesign 002 or 003. but their both a bit out of your price range. and i dont really have any ecperience with any other interfaces other than digidesign stuff, so i cant be of much help here

 

[kbr]

You mentioned studying audio production. Are you in school for it? If so, then get what they're using (Probably Pro Tools). That being said, I've gotten some great drum sounds out of Nuendo and a FP10. I'd highly recommend Cubase. They added all of the audio Nuendo only features to it and made it into a powerhouse DAW. The Control Room feature alone makes one of my favourite programs for tracking drums. Also, don't forget microphones. Gear-wise, it's the most important thing for good drum sounds.

 

[DocBop]

I'd say figure out your DAW first that will help with decide on the interface. Then set a budget. Most interfaces come out with some light version of DAW software. Soon as you say recording a drum kit you are heading into more expensive interfaces unless thinking about opening mic'ing. May want to consider if an interface has the I/O to connect a separate pre-later.

 

[Doc Labyrinth]

If that's your price range, look into the Alesis IO 26. It's got eight analog ins and outs with pres as well as the capability of handling up to 26 ins and outs (via SPDIF, ADAT, and Optical). Firewire. Decent pre amps, decent A/D converter, and it comes with Cubase.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Any reports on the Tascam US 1641 USB audito/MIDI interface? It's sold with Cubase LE 4. I've never used a USB 2.0 interface. If I hook up the Tascam to my laptop with USB, will the Cubase be able to record/play back multiple tracks of input from the Tascam? Thanks.