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#1
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8+ input interface/software recommendations for intermediate level?
Hi all, thanks for years of great advice! I recently had to sell my
Aardvark Q10 (hard times), which did a fine job, and I'm now looking for a replacement (good times!) -- preferably from a company/companies that aren't going to go out of business. I already have a screaming box (P4 2.26GHz, 1G RAM, XP, 3 fat 7200 drives) -- no, not solely dedicated to audio (times aren't THAT great), but I've done my last two records with it, along with the Q10, an ancient version of Cubase VST24 (3.7!), and a decent mic locker, with very few problems. I'm primarily multitracking live jazz, so I need at least 8 audio xlrs w/preamps, phantom power. Some kind of post-fader capability would be nice, at least supporting some outboard compression, but I can deal with mixing in the box -- Oh, how I would love a control surface, though. I'm not afraid of wires, so I don't neccessarily need an all-in-one solution like the Onyx 1620, Digi002, or Tascam FW-1884, particularly if there is a more cost-effective solution! I'd love to keep in under $1000, maybe up to $1500 if I can go with a full-version of some pro software. I love my old Cubase, but I'm doing well enough that I'd like a supported package (if you catch my drift). And OH, how I hate LE and teaser software cluttering up my computer. My skills improve with every project (I'd say I've reached a competent intermediate level), so I'd like expandability, and I'm doing more and more scoring work, so video integration would be nice -- That's not too much to ask, is it? My dated Cubase ALMOST managed to do it smoothly with it's video module. I've considered rigging up a mac mini as an affordable portable solution (and dedicated audio machine), but it looks like once you get that system up to snuff you're spending a grand just on the computer which, as I said, I already have. My point is that portability would be sweet, but if I can stay in my sub-$1500 range, I'll just drag my tower to the gig. I really appreciate any recommendations! |
#2
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Um...The firepod looks like a good replacement for the Q10, and appears
to be very flexible/expandable. Comes with Cubase LE that would save me $100 upgrading to SX. Any thoughts on that? |
#3
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Um...The firepod looks like a good replacement for the Q10, and appears
to be very flexible/expandable. Comes with Cubase LE that would save me $100 upgrading to SX. Any thoughts on that? That's exactly what I was going to recommend. You might also look into a small format PC (ie Shuttle XPC) for live recording. |
#4
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Yeah, the more I hear about it, the better I like it!
In fact, I can't even find any serious limitations of the bundled Cubase LE, including video capabilities. Steinberg has a comparision of LE, SE, SX and mentions LE only supporting four physical inputs, but according to the Presonus FAQs: Q: Why can I only record 2 inputs at a time in Cubase LE? / Why can I only use 2 outputs in Cubase LE? A: You can record 10 simultaneous inputs with the Firepod in Cubase LE. You need to activate the other inputs/outputs in order to use them...Now all physical outputs on the Firepod will be available to choose from as an output for each track in the software. At this point, you should be able to record from any physical input and playback out of any physical output on the Firepod in Cubase LE. ....so I guess Steinberg means 4 stereo? In any case, that's pretty nice expandability: $1000 for another Firepod (in theory, see below) AND the upgrade to SX! Plus, I can hang another external drive off it? Lovin' it. I can't find real details of what the 1.12 driver available on Presonus is all about. Lots of hope, but no facts: "Presonus includes one 3' - 6 pin to 6 pin firewire cable with the Firepod. Presonus has stated that a driver update will be available sometime in the October/November time frame for the Firepod. This update will allow for the use of two Firepods simultaneously so that 20 channels may be recorded at once. There should also be some driver optimizations with these drivers so that latency may be slightly reduced for a given computer system. Presonus is unwilling to make any additional comments on the upcoming driver release at this time." --http://www.hyperactivemusic.com/MSProFiles/FirepodReview/firepodreview.htm - a review on Presonus Firepod page, 10/04. "It will feature a much more solid Windows driver, lower latency, 24bit WDM, and fixes other current issues, etc." --Rick Naqvi, Presonus (harmonycentral.com review comments 01/04) "The software update will act as a mixer for the input channels going into the main CR output and cue output via the Mix control. This will enable the monitoring levels to be controlled while maintaining the highest possible recording signal and zero latency." --Music Tech magazine review 11/04 "The only lacking feature is the once-promised ability to daisy-chain two or more to gain dozens of inputs." --zzounds.com review 4/26/05 This one comes close, and it's the most recent: "You have to call Presonus to get the driver to link the Firepods together but they are very cool and will email it to you same day..." and this seems very promising as regards expandability "...Cool thing about the Firepods is if you are coming direct of a board you can use them just as an A/D converter and bypass the preamps" --recordingwebsite.com forum 6/4/05 I'd love to hear more anecdotes about creative uses of the Firepod beyond computer -- firepod -- instruments, particularly routing/inserts. Anybody? |
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