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#1
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semi-portable setup
Hi
Im looking for advice on what to buy. Im looking for a laptop pc and a USB/Firewire interface with at least 8 analogue 24/96 in and out. And one digital input and at least two mic preamps. I want to use it as a small and simple recording studio based on line signals plus 2-4 mics (with a DBX preamp and DA-converter I have) AND I want to record concerts in the same manner or borrow/rent some preamps and mics according to what I record. So Im looking for flexibility. But I want it to be reliable and sound fair too. So I have been looking at the MOTU UltraLite http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite And Marian UCON CX http://www.marian.de/en/products/ucon_cx The MOTU cost a little bit more than the Marian, but it has some advantages like 10 inputs, and is in one box. On the other hand the Marian has four mic preamps. With regard to speed and reliability, does it make a difference that USB is a bit slower than Firewire? I know I can get a pcmcia firewire card, but I think it is simpler (and nicer) not to be dependent on PCs having Firewire, but on the other hand if it is more reliable and fast I think that would be preferrable. With regard to sound quality: Has anyone opinions on which is better of the interfaces? (of course I am far more interested in the AD-converters and the electronics overall, than the DAs). Im also interested in opinions and facts of any kind like if anyone heard of driver issues, stability issues, good or bad support whatever.. And the tough one: How should I choose which computer to buy? (not necesarily=which laptop should I buy) My budget is around $ 1600 / € 1300 for interface AND laptop. I heard that centrino processors are good and that one should have 1 GB of ram and a fast internal harddisk. Then I would buy an external disk for the recorded sound. Is it a problem to record directly to USB/FW disk with 8-10 channels of 24/96 sound when using USB/FW interface? I saw in an earlier thread here that bigger brands are often a good idea because they have support and tend more to use the same hardware than smaller brands. But that is a rather vague guideline - any help here would be a great help, since i never ever bought a laptop before. Thanks in advance Sune |
#2
Posted to rec.audio.pro
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semi-portable setup
Sune TB wrote: Hi Im looking for advice on what to buy. Im looking for a laptop pc and a USB/Firewire interface with at least 8 analogue 24/96 in and out. And one digital input and at least two mic preamps. I want to use it as a small and simple recording studio based on line signals plus 2-4 mics (with a DBX preamp and DA-converter I have) AND I want to record concerts in the same manner or borrow/rent some preamps and mics according to what I record. So Im looking for flexibility. But I want it to be reliable and sound fair too. So I have been looking at the MOTU UltraLite http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite And Marian UCON CX http://www.marian.de/en/products/ucon_cx The MOTU cost a little bit more than the Marian, but it has some advantages like 10 inputs, and is in one box. On the other hand the Marian has four mic preamps. With regard to speed and reliability, does it make a difference that USB is a bit slower than Firewire? I know I can get a pcmcia firewire card, but I think it is simpler (and nicer) not to be dependent on PCs having Firewire, but on the other hand if it is more reliable and fast I think that would be preferrable. With regard to sound quality: Has anyone opinions on which is better of the interfaces? (of course I am far more interested in the AD-converters and the electronics overall, than the DAs). Im also interested in opinions and facts of any kind like if anyone heard of driver issues, stability issues, good or bad support whatever.. And the tough one: How should I choose which computer to buy? (not necesarily=which laptop should I buy) My budget is around $ 1600 / € 1300 for interface AND laptop. I heard that centrino processors are good and that one should have 1 GB of ram and a fast internal harddisk. Then I would buy an external disk for the recorded sound. Is it a problem to record directly to USB/FW disk with 8-10 channels of 24/96 sound when using USB/FW interface? I saw in an earlier thread here that bigger brands are often a good idea because they have support and tend more to use the same hardware than smaller brands. But that is a rather vague guideline - any help here would be a great help, since i never ever bought a laptop before. Thanks in advance Sune I'm using a Motu Traveler and a Behringer 8000 converter witha Dell 5110 Inspiron. The Motu gives you 4 mic pres and 4 line ins, and the Behringer gives you 8 more inputs (xlr or 1/4"). I'm running Nuendo and it's working well, as long as you power up in a certain way. Bruce S. yarock www.yarock.com |
#4
Posted to rec.audio.pro
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semi-portable setup
"Sune TB" wrote in message...
Im looking for advice on what to buy. Im looking for a laptop pc and a USB/Firewire interface with at least 8 analogue 24/96 in and out. And one digital input and at least two mic preamps. I am looking into buying a laptop and will be going with the latest/greatest from Dell. I want to be able to record 32-40 tracks if necessary, so processing power and RAM are where I'll be spending my money. I looked at the MOTU gear but decided on a mixer instead (Mackie Onyx 1640). I need to be able to mix live to two track as well as multitrack. I have used MOTU in the past with great results so whatever you decide on I think you will enjoy. |
#5
Posted to rec.audio.pro
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semi-portable setup
Sune TB wrote:
Im looking for a laptop pc and a USB/Firewire interface with at least 8 analogue 24/96 in and out. And one digital input and at least two mic preamps. What you need is a Fireface 400 which has 2 mic pre-amps and a total of 8 analogue I/O or the Fireface 800 with 8 mic ins. Check out the RME site for details. So Im looking for flexibility. But I want it to be reliable and sound fair too. The Fireface 400 is very flexible for a half-rack unit. It's got an ADAT interface so you can increase the I/O by 8 whenever you need to. With regard to speed and reliability, does it make a difference that USB is a bit slower than Firewire? Yes, but maybe not for the reasons you think. It's more a bandwidth issue. I am sure others can explain better than I, or (once again) read the exhaustive info RME have made available. I know I can get a pcmcia firewire card, but I think it is simpler (and nicer) not to be dependent on PCs having Firewire, but on the other hand if it is more reliable and fast I think that would be preferrable. The reasons you want to go Firewire include better bandwidth sharing and the fact that other devices are less likely to be on the bus, unless there's an external Firewire HD somewhere. Use USB for consumer stuff and Firewire for the pro gear you need to make your gig a success. I heard that centrino processors are good and that one should have 1 GB of ram and a fast internal harddisk. Then I would buy an external disk for the recorded sound. Is it a problem to record directly to USB/FW disk with 8-10 channels of 24/96 sound when using USB/FW interface? Lots of people do it. Get a dual core Centrino with 1GB RAM and a 5400 rpm drive. It's all commodity stuff. The big issue is the Firewire controller and most of the time you won't know who makes it or if it will work with your outboard gear. Again, RME have gone to insane lengths to ensure compatibility is as broad as possible. I saw in an earlier thread here that bigger brands are often a good idea because they have support and tend more to use the same hardware than smaller brands. Buy an ASUS, Toshiba, Samsung or IBM. But you'll find the ASUS to be cheaper for the same spec. Ergonomics like the monitor size and computer weight are deciding factors more often than techy spec stuff. ----- robin noisetheatre.blogspot.com |
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