Recording Interface Recommendations?

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 19 Jan 2009 2:09 pm

I'm looking for a simple-but-good firewire recording interface for my computer. I'll be recording into Audacity and Logic for the most part. Here's what I do and do not need:

Need no more than two simultaneous inputs.

Converters need to be decent but not outstanding.

Ease of use is important since I'm a total techno-ignoramous.

It would be ideal - though not essential - that it be a unit I could also easily use for digitizing LPs and tapes (eg has RIAA inputs somewhere on it).

Suggestions? If you don't mind, any pros and cons or the unit(s) you suggest would also be terrific.

Thanks!

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 19 Jan 2009 2:36 pm

I bought a PreSonus Firebox a while back ($250ish I think it was) and it's been fine for my use. Converters are probably good, but not great, easy to use, doesn't have RIAA inputs, but I seem to remember that Audacity has an EQ plug with the RIAA curve built in.

Monitor through the interface with headphones, phantom power, instrument and balanced inputs, line level ins and outs on the back for a bunch of extra gazintas and gazouttas.. Plays nice with all the DAWs and applications I've tried it with. Also powered through the firewire cable which is a nice touch.

google presonus firebox and you'll get a bunch of hits.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 19 Jan 2009 3:07 pm

I think the primary concern is to know what latency issues there are, if any , rather than how many inputs.

MAudio has a Delta 10/10 sound card which has 10 inputs but it has great reviews regarding latency. the PreSonus Firebox mentioned above also has very good reviews.

I use a Tascam USB 144, it's ok, right on the edge. This unit has two inputs .

the MAudio delta 10/10 sells for just under $200, the Tascam is about $150 and the Presonus is in the $250 range.

tp

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 19 Jan 2009 3:18 pm

Good point about the latency, I've not had latency issues with the PreSonus. It seems pretty good, and if I monitor through the interface it appears to be a non-issue altogether.

Since Chris asked about FW boxes, I wonder how much difference the USB vs FW interface makes in the latency spec, since the Tascam is USB? Is it just that?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 20 Jan 2009 1:59 am

good question. The MAudio 10/10 is a sound card, plugged in, the Presonus is Firewire which supposedly is leagues better than USB.

The Tascam is fine as long as you do not want to monitor through the PC, but if you want to hear exactly whats going on , meaning monitor everything thru the PC there is an ever so slight delay( latency)for the instrument being recorded( Guitars etc) . Now I have not played with different settings for the Tascam interface yet, there are a few latency options which I will fool with but I can tell you this, I am not spending what little free time I have trying to make it work, I will get another interface such as the Presonus or the Delta 10/10 which I am inclined to do as it is installed internally.

Overall I think USB is the 3rd choice for interfacing, I see a direct plug in as the best, Firewire 2nd and USB last.

Maybe someone else will chime in...

tp

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 20 Jan 2009 3:13 am

M/F currently has an M-Audio firewire interface unit on sale as their "Stupid deal of the day"

Stupid Deal

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 20 Jan 2009 7:02 am

Jacks post above " stupid deal of the day" from MF appears to be quite good, but the specs and the reviews are still not aimed at the latency issue which is of primary concern.

"near zero latency" , well I have that now with the Tascam USB 144.

The Maudio 10/10 card spec and reviews detail "zero latency" yes , you need a few more wires and maybe a preamp or two, that's a given.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=701376

My opinion is that when seeking an interface, latency is the 1st and foremost issue to throw off the porch. Everything else can be resolved .

I guess you learn this from experience, of which I just did !

I did it backwards, last summer I was looking for a low end LE package and happened to run across Cubase LE bundled with the tascam interface at GC. after setting it up I determined that I hated CubaseLE and just figured the interface must be good, it's a tascam ! Well it is good, but not great.

Tim Walker · Post by **Tim Walker** » 20 Jan 2009 3:58 pm

The Apogee Duet has great pre's (2) and converters. It's small and very easy to use and designed with Logic in mind. Very low latency - not noticeable when I use it with my Intel Macbook. They cost $495 new.

Robby Springfield · Post by **Robby Springfield** » 20 Jan 2009 6:43 pm

Take a look at the Saffire unit.

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 20 Jan 2009 6:45 pm

The Duet looks great from everything I've read. Unfortunately it's more than I can currently afford. (Mind you, if one of you out there has one and might be interested in some kind of a gear swap, I'm interested in talking with you!)

Anyone have experience with the PreSonus Inspire? Know how it compares with the Firebox? I've seen the comparisons on paper but am wondering if anyone has had some real-world experience with both and could speak to pros and cons.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 21 Jan 2009 2:21 am

It appears to be on par with the Tascam USB 144, . I would search some of the midi forums such as the Sonar forum, ask the question there. The specs say zero latency, but then again so does the Tascam USB 144, it's not zero, something just a bit more than zero.

research

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 21 Jan 2009 6:21 am

Tony - Are you talking about the Inspire or the Sapphire?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 21 Jan 2009 7:40 am

either, any or all !

I have been reading on this forum

http://www.recordingreview.com/

there is lots of info over there.

I just know that I have a latency issue that needs to get resolved, and if it costs $200 to do it then so be it, but I am not spending $200 twice ! I am leaning towards the MAudio Delta 10/10, less frills, more money but excellent reviews for interfacing and latency. Plus it will get the Tascam off my desk surface and free up some space !

tp

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 22 Jan 2009 6:54 pm

Welllllllll..... A couple of quick gear sales and a Duet is on order. I'll keep you all posted.