New audio interface for an old dog

musicvid10 wrote on 12/24/2009, 7:56 PM
My m-audio usb device that I've had for six years died on Christmas eve ;?(

It had some chronic problems; a bad power switch, noisy pots, not the best preamps, and now tonight an internal PS issue (60Hz hum with no inputs connected). I could troubleshoot it, but I don't feel like the unit is worth it.

So, I've used (and recommended) firewire, but noting the cost difference and my current state of relative unemployment, may be going for a more economical solution for my home computer.

Haven't shopped in a while, and the number of options / manufacturers has grown exponentially in the meantime.

Recommendations? Thoughts? I spent only $200 for the Omnistudio USB, and think maybe $400 might be my price range. The more inputs, the better. Great preamps and enough outputs to preview 5.1 from the timeline are important, too.

So I'm waiting for a couple of "enablers" to share their experience and impressions.

Happy Holidays!

Comments

farss wrote on 12/24/2009, 10:57 PM
My old M-Audio Firewire 410 is still in constant use. There's a later version on the market now, the Profire 610 that seems to be in your price bracket. The great thing with the firewire connected boxes is you can pretty easily move them around.
My 410 has been out in the field to do overdubs on location with a laptop.

Bob.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 12/25/2009, 5:48 AM
Ditto, my M-Audio Firewire 410 has been a workhorse over the past couple of years and I use it every day. My only complaint is that M-Audio was extremely slow in supplying Vista 64-bit drivers. For USB M-Audio just updated the FastTrack to include phantom power. I had just bought one a month before so I'm disappointed that I didn't wait a little longer but who knew? So the FastTrack USB is an impressive little device for $120 street price and it includes Pro Tools M-Powered Essential now too.

~jr
Rob Franks wrote on 12/25/2009, 7:10 AM
To be honest, I would stay away from M Audio.

It used to be good and in fact the hardware side of still is. Avid however has let the support and software side of it slip something awful. The support has turned to mush and the software updates are slllllooooow. I don't know if they're completely optimized for Windows7 yet, but if its anything like the Vista upgrading... wel... good luck.

I would check alternatives before heading back to M Audio. E-MU is good...etc. There are lots of good ones out there that still believe in swift and steady support behind the product.... and that's at least 1/2 the battle.
deusx wrote on 12/25/2009, 7:53 AM
http://www.echoaudio.com/products/FireWire/AudioFire4/specs.php

Do some research, just to make sure they still do , but they used to make very good stuff.

That's about $300, audiofire 8 should be around $500 if you need more inputs.
musicvid10 wrote on 12/25/2009, 4:09 PM
I remembered I have a good quality 2-channel interface, my Zoom H4.

I'll use it to get by until I can find something more permanent.
I understand M-Audio has been deathly slow with driver releases, but the 610 is worth looking at. A used 410, which I have used in the theater, just doesn't have enough inputs for me.

The Presonus gets lots of complaints about the preamps, the Fast Track Ultra apparently still has driver issues, and the Echo Audiofire 8 may be worth looking at, but I can't find many reviews.
farss wrote on 12/25/2009, 6:26 PM
I just finised doing another VO session with my trusty old 410. I never realised how useful having two headphone outputs would be.

I have a Rode NT1A in another room with a Reflexions filter and popper stopper and a pair of cans for the talent. All held up on lighting stand, too heavy for mic stand.
In the adjacent room with the PC I have a Rode NT3 so the talent can hear me into chan 2 of the 410 and my own pair of cans.

If you want something with lots of inputs for live recording in a theatre then the A&H ZED R16 would be a unit to look into. It's certainly on my wish list.

I wouldn't say the old 410s preamps are world class but with the high output condensor mics like my Rodes they're adequate. If one can believe the blurb from M-Audio then the 610 has better pres. Drivers are never much of an issue to me, the 410 sits on my old 486 running Win2K and Vegas 6. If it ain't broke why update it, that's my motto.

Bob.
musicvid10 wrote on 12/25/2009, 7:37 PM
I never thought of Allen & Heath as a recording solution for theater, but that mixer looks neat!

While not a long-term solution for my dilemma at home, the H4 turns out to be an outstanding mobile interface! Buss powered, 2-XLR/Combo in, built-in stereo mics (could suffice for quick VO's), works without installing drivers on PC and Mac (ASIO is optional), records seamlessly in Vegas and Sound Forge, and clean, clean, clean!

Had it for two years. Wish I had tried it as an audio interface earlier.

Oh, did I mention it's also a recorder?
;?)
PeterWright wrote on 12/26/2009, 5:18 PM
One disadvantage of the H4 is that its volume settings are restricted to L M or H.

I know the Windows record settings can be used to set record level more exactly, but for adjusting on the fly a volume knob or slider is much better.

But as you said, it's an excellent interface for on-the-road recordings, particularly as it can be battery powered..
musicvid10 wrote on 12/26/2009, 6:04 PM
The L M H switch is just the input sensitivity.

The record level is adjustable in 0-127 steps (-48 to 0dB) via the jog wheel. It's metered too.
The limiter is a nice touch too, I keep it on for almost anything in the field.
TimTyler wrote on 12/26/2009, 6:32 PM
I like my Edirol FA101. Has decent Win7 64bit drivers too.

http://www.google.com/products?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&q=edirol+fa101&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=zMY2S6bxFIjusgP1xLnYAw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDkQrQQwAw

USB Version: http://www.cakewalk.com/products/hardware/default.aspx?Prod=UA-101

Edit - Actually the Win7 drivers I'm using are Vista 64 drivers. To run the setup.exe you need to right-click/Troubleshoot Compatibility/Run-As-Vista but once installed it works great. You could probably also install easily through Device Manager/Update Driver http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=702&tab=downloads&skip=true