m-audio fw 410 simultaneous tracks

theloniusjones wrote on 1/20/2004, 12:37 PM
hey everyone - i've been reading some posts and it seems a few of you are using this external card with vegas. i'm thinking about buying it but i'm confused about how many inputs it has. i know it has the 2 xlr inputs on the front but it also looks like is has 2 line inputs on the back. can i use the 2 xlrs for mics but also use the 2 line input in the back for recording direct guitars/bass? would i be able to record those tracks separately at once? what i mean is is it possible to record 4 separate tracks at once? also, what would i need to record mics in the back inputs? separate phantom power (for condensers), preamps, and balanced>unbalanced transformers? thanks for the help.

Comments

stakeoutstudios wrote on 1/21/2004, 11:41 AM
After my Delta 1010 nightmares I'd recommend steering clear of M-audio altogether, unless you can try it before you buy it in your system!

Jason
theloniusjones wrote on 1/21/2004, 8:46 PM
what else would you recommend? i liked the fw 410's balanced xlr ins, phantom power, preamps, 2 headphone outs, and the portability of firewire (i'd like to be able to use it on a friend's computer too). but i would like to be able to do 4 simultaneous separate tracks. what else is out there that i should look at?
farss wrote on 1/22/2004, 3:54 AM
I have the Firewire 410 and it runs fine with Vegas. Only gripe so far is the metering in its control panel is off and maybe the mics could use a bit more gain but I've only tried it with a ME66 that may be a bit dodgy anyway.

However to answer your real question, No. Only two real inputs. The front two are either balanced mics with phantom via XLR or instrument via 6.5 TS or switched to the back line level inputs, but they are indiviually switched. The "4" inputs include the two SPDIF channels, bit of a stretch claiming 4 inputs.
Jameson_Prod wrote on 1/22/2004, 4:06 AM
I use the MAudio Quattro. It is USB and will give you 4 simultaneous inputs and outputs via ASIO drivers at 16bit and up to 48Hz in Vegas. It also comes with MME drivers for use with standard Window apps. 24/96 capable also but with only 2 input channels at a time. I've had no problems using driver 1.30. Uses walwart power and works fine on USB 1.1. It seems to basically be a Delta 44 in it's own box for USB. I use it with a P4 2.0 laptop.
Jameson_Prod wrote on 1/22/2004, 4:09 AM
I should have mentioned.....four 1/4" inputs...no pre amps or XLR on the Quattro. You'll need an external mixer for use with mics.

The MAudio Duo (Quattros twin) does have XLRs and pres but only 2 channels.