Music Recording Hardware for Mac..opinions?

So, I have been seriously looking over my options for sound hardware

USB vs Firewire - I'm leaning towards firewire preference
16 bit vs 24 - I would like 24 since it's in most newer hardware
Channels - I really need 2 base minimum, but wouldn't mind up to 8 in/out. Nothing elaborate is necessary though
Inputs - Balanced xlr, phantom power, 1 headphone, TS 1/4, spdif rca is the least I need. Midi, spdif optical, TRS 1/4 would be nice
Size - portability would be a perk, but not if it's at the expense of quality
Control - basic really is fine; volume, gain,; but I might get a mixing console seperately for program control
Budget - 200 - 600?

I need something with a decent pre-amp and range to handle an expensive condensor mic, Rode nt2, with good to great quality. Any audiophiles out there who can comment on this? I would settle for good since I have a DAT for critical recording.

I like the Motu Light but I'm not sure I need to sink 600 to get the quality. Motu is awesome but comes with more than I really need. M-audio on the other hand..like the 410..looks a little light in the quality department.

What do you guys think?

 

Hey Jimmy, first off I'd like to mention a site that will be a good place for you to go to for all things music wise ,,, it's a forum full of gear heads and wise musicians :

http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/index.php

Nice to see another musician around here by the way, I think that we're a rarity on this board. I only come here for stuffs unrelated to music stuff anyhow. Definitely register at the Big Blue Lounge, you will not regret it.

USB vs. Firewire = You want to go with Firewire. USB devices just aren't able to deliver the goods like a Firewire device will. I could list many reasons why, but when you join at the BBL .. you will no doubt run into many threads explaining the reasons why you should never go with USB interfaces as a musician.

16 bit vs 24 bit = Generally when you're recording at 16 bit you're running at 44.1Khz, and when you're recording at 24 bit, you're going with the 96Khz action. This is also something that you will be able to read up about at the BBL, and you will see what the big differneces are. When you mix down to CD, it has to be 16bit, 44.1Khz ... but that doesn't mean that you should record at 16bit. Recording at a higher bitrate can be more taxing on your system of course, but it's the best alternative to recording on Tape .. it's really high quality. Most devices these days offer 96Khz, but you'll also find some offering 192Khz as well.

Inputs = Yeah, you definitely want that TRS 1/4 inch action.

Size = So you're not against using a rack mount? Portable is always nice.

Control = There's lots of interfaces these days that have a digital interface that you mess with on your computer. But then, it's also nice to have some physical knobs to tweak isn't it?

Budget = Looks nice, that's good that you're willing to spend up to $600, although in your case I think that it's unnecessary. More than likely if you also spend more than that, you're only going to be getting into a rack mount interface, which I know that you're looking for something portable.

What's funny, is that I was in this exact same boat a month ago .. actually, I still am, haha! First off, you want to forget about M-Audio ... unless you plan on using Pro-Tools ... and even then, there's beter interfaces for Pro-Tools than M-Audio.

You're got 2 options for portlability .....

Alesis io 26 ($399)
http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=96

Motu Ultralite ($549).
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite

Motu has superb support (and always has) for the Mac, and their products are amazing, they arguably have some of the best drivers out there ... they do own Digital Performer after all. Sometimes I read wierd issues with their hardwear, but it's not a common thing ... I've always looked at Motu as a software company that makes hardwear ... that make sense? They only have 2 XLR inputs, and have the spdif stuffs, adat, and multiple TRS 1/4 inputs and outputs ... plus the mixing is all done on your computer with a virtual mixer ... and offers direct routable hardware monitoring.

Then you have Alesis, which is like a hardwear company thats making software now. Sure they're new to the Firewire Interface game, but the hardwear is fantastic. Plus, you have 8 XLR / 8 TRS 1/4 inputs, sfdif, adat stuffs. Also offers direct routable hardware monitoring.

Here's a couple of threads from the BBL that you should look at concerning these 2 guys ....

http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35080

http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=34782

Come join the discussion, and let's see which one will be right for us. The Alesis looks to be the one ... but I just don't know about those drivers ... the Motu on the other hand is rock solid. There's just not any reviews out yet for the Alesis model because it's still very new.

See you on the BBL forums Jimy ... prepare to get your school on!!!!

 

THANKS! I'll definitley check out bbl.

I like your recommendations.. I've been looking at the Alesis also.
In college I studied Sound as an art form (which was basically my major) and used it very experimentally. I was a T.A. for 2 of my 3 years there, so I definitely know what I expect from the gear and want something that's quality but not overkill.

Control - I love the idea of having control having used a Tascam 428, but I would have only said it was useful and cute.. It got the job done. The MOTU I used was a rackmount 24 track..I forget the model.. And we used Digital Performer. IMO it's much better than Pro tools.

Size - I wouldn't mind a rackmount IF it was dead on, but I would enjoy a portable if I travel. Still, I have a tascam DA-P1 field recorder that has better than CD fidelity, so it's not a big deal.

After I get a recording interface I'll probably get a keyboard controller and maybe something with sliders/knobs/pads unless the Keyboard has adequate extras.

If I had real money and balls.. I'd invest in a Kurzveil, but not today. Thanks.. I'll see you at bbl

 

Digital Performer is most definitely better than Pro Tools ... I can't stand PT at all, both Logic and Digital Performer far surpass Pro Tools. If Cubase wouldn't have nerfed Cubase 4, and pretty much treated Mac users like trash .. well, I would've said good things about them as well.

I bought a Korg Kontrol 49 a year ago, and in my opinion it's one of the best Midi controllers you can buy. It's definitely worth the $399 I spent on it. You should check it out ...

http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=KONTROL49

Although the editor library runs in Rosetta, you only use it to put what you want on your keyboard, you don't leave it running. You pretty much store native presets into your keyboard to use with all sorts of programs ... just check out the support list on that page I linked you to ... just plug in your keyboard, start the program .. and boom ... it works amazingly. If you get really crazy, you can program your keyboard to do what you want ... it's a kick ass Midi controller .. I'm really glad that I invested in it. I even bought a hard case for it off of eBay for only $40 ... works great.

Definitely see you at BBL Jimy, you're going to love it there. TONS of knowledgable cool people that are willing to share advice without the elitst attitudes that are usually found at many gear/music forums.

 

Jimy, I just got some awesome benmarks specs from a friend who has the 2.33Ghz C2D Macbook Pro like you have, and he's using the Alesis io 26 ....

I am seriously impressed by the results he gave me. I hooked him up with a Reason 3.0.5 track that had over 16 synths (with many reverb units and othe effects) + 3 beat tracks as well .... and he set the buffer to 128 and got 2ms latency with NO pops or clicks. He even then proceeded to put the buffer at 64 at got 1ms with no pops/clicks ... it was perfect! And so you know, the highest CPU reading that he got at any point was about 89% (out of 200%), so 44.5% total on his C2D 2.33 GHz, with Reason using 110 MB of RAM max. Not bad for sixteen different synths going all at once. Most of the time it was between 40% and 60% (that is, 20% and 30% of both cores).

There's also 2 headphone outs on the Alesis io 26, and 8 routable outputs .... seriously, get the io 26. I am going out and buying it tomorrow, I suggest that you hook up with it as well.

 

Thanks Deadredeyes,
You've been a great help. The alesis io 26 is attractive and I noticed there is also an io14 and an io2. I wonder if they're the same quality. But a couple things bother me and that's the up facing inputs and the overall size. Atleast if it were a rack mount I could stack stuff on it. I dunno, I'm still gonna think it over aswell as the smaller IO-14. Thanks for the research. I've been finding good stuff over at BBL.

I also like the TC Konekt 24...very sweet.. Edirol makes me curious also.

 

Yah! neat thread.

If you need a place to buy something from, check out http://www.sweetwater.com/

I'm not a pro, and they're kinda geared toward more pro level guys. But they've been really nice. They will even have a rep call you after you order and kinda touch base every once in a while. Awesome customer service.

 

Good to know. I've ordered from
http://www.musiciansfriend.com
http://www.americanmusical.com
http://www.music123.com
and personally bought gear from Guitar Center and Daddy's Junky Music, but never had a call back. Sweetwater looks solid. Right now I'm leaning towards the

TC Konnekt 8 - $300. It has the basics covered. It's bigger brother the 24d has been reviewed as better than Presonus in transparency. Supposedly the Konnekt 8 is no less capable except that is has No optical or effects. Truth be told, I'd just like a quality interface with out too many frills. If I were going to spend more I'd be tempted to go with either the Konnekt 24d, or Motu Ultra Light/or Pre 8. Right now I'm just sitting on my wallet as I work on material with the gear I already have. NAB isn't far off either.. so there might be new goodies by the time I purchase.