Good recording interface???
 

Hey I was looking at doing some home recording and need to know a good recording interface. I would prefer having around 8 inputs. I would be using pro tools for editing. Also, any recommendations on good mics. If anyone has any good recommendations I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

Digi 003 or 002

First and above all else, what is your budget? Audio interfaces range from $99 to multiple thousands, mics from $.99 to $20,000.

Since you specify that you will use protools for software, you are limited to M-Audio and Digidesign interfaces.

Do you need mic preamps on all 8 inputs?

What sort of connections do you have available on your computer? Are you comfortable with installing PCI cards? Have Firewire? USB 2?

Is your computer a Mac or a PC?

What will you be recording (besides the assumed acoustic guitar)?

Do you have any recording or sound reinforcement gear now, like cables, mic stands, mixers?

How will you monitor your recordings?

What do you have for space? Can you apply room treatment?

Fran

Budget, goals, etc?

My own sort of mid-level home recording setup is a pair of CEMC6’s http://www.pelusomicrophonelab.com/CEMC6SK.html an AKG 214, and a c42 into the Presonus Firestudio http://www.presonus.com/products/Det...px?ProductId=5 I’m very happy with this setup. Very easy. Sounds good... But if you have a bigger budget it shouldn’t be too hard to find better gear to spend it on:)

Even if it might not make better recordings <grin>.

Fran

If you want to use Protools then you have two choices.
either get m-box from DigiDesign or get M-audio's interface.
Because Protools ONLY runs on these two company's hardware.

If you are trying to use Protools because you heard it's the best or industry
standard, I suggest looking at other programs too.

Although Protools is the standard in the industry many studios use other program too.

If you are using Mac, Logic is a good choice, if you are on PC then
Cubase/Nuendo or Cakewalk's Sonar is good choice.
these program will be compatible with most of audio interface.

If you decided to go with something other than Protools,
MOTU, Apogee, and RME makes high quality products with 8 inputs and outputs.

Yeah, something from either of those series, if you use PT, you're going to have to use their hardware. Just how the cookie crumbles.

Any of the 003/003 have 4 mic pre-amps and 4 line ins, you're going to need to buy 4 channels worth of mic pres to run 8 mics at once.

I agree with Roundboy that you shouldn't necessarily restrict yourself to using Pro Tools, as that greatly restricts your choice of interface.

If you are in a position to use a different DAW such as Cubase or Sonar, my tip would be that you take a look at the Focusrite Saffire interfaces which offer outstanding audio quality for those on a tighter budget. Not only do they provide A/D converters which are superior to those on the Emu "M" interfaces (and hence the Pro Tools TDM as well), but the larger Saffire interfaces have all of the mic preamps you need - and these are good quality preamps based on the Focusrite Green Series.

I'm sure there are other options, but the Saffire is easily the best-sounding interface I've used to date.

Paul

good advice so far.

if your wanting to stay pro tools realm (what i use and prefer). then to save a few bucks you can get an older mBox, which will let you run PT 7 i believe, and just come into it via lightpipe thru a Presonus Digimax D8. The digimax is like 400$ brand new, has 8mic pre's and an adat out. and you can pick up an mbox for less than 150$ ( i have one for sale if you need one btw).
to get 8 mic pres on the digidesign hardware, i think you'll have to get the 003 factory+ which is a decent amount of $. my 002 rack only has 4 mic pre's. but you can bring alot in on it via adat, line, aes, ect.

Digi003. Perhaps on the the ProTools compatible M-Audio units, but I have no personal experience with any of those.

I have a M-Audio Delta 1010LT sound card and it works great with my Adobe Audition and Cakewalk's Home Studio 6XL programs.

:D

I use the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra, with a couple inexpensive condensor mics.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...rackUltra.html

Tried a few high end mics, as mentioned above you can spend a lot for nominal differences. Clean and simple for me.

One more to consider:

RME

Being using an RME Multiface for 2 CDs. Recommended for quality and reliability.

I use a MOTO Ultralite

daw software
 

projects can be moved from platform to platform pretty easily, i.e. logic to protools to cubase to cakewalk to digital performer to ableton live. everyone pretty much records in wav files.

I have protools with an mbox, logic pro and ableton live. I got an apogee duet about a year ago (audio interface). I like protools, but it is needlessly crippled in a lot of ways. the new 003 would be cool and would include protools 8. the duet is far superior to the mbox, but more expensive at $500 and no included software and is mac only.

If you are using a mac, you can use garage band.

A lot of companies offer demos of the software.

remember to budget for a couple of mics, cables, headphones, monitors, mic stands.......