Interface Answer, for DonM!

[D and B]

Hey Don, about 2 weeks ago I had posted a question about the right interface for my small studio setup. You had these questions, and here are the answers after much homework and research.

#1 How many Mic Pre's do you need on the interface - or will you patch from existing Pre's- Atleast 2-4. (4 would be better)

#2 Will you need to slave Word Clock on coax- Yes.

#3 Do you need MIDI I/O- Yes.

#4 Do you need hardware monitoring with DSP-Yes.

#5 How many analog inputs- 4-8 Depending on price-1300 or lower.

#6 How many ADAT inputs- x2-16 Channels In and Out

#7 Do you need AES or SPdif-Yes-SPdif

#8 How many Analog Outs (5.1 / Multiple Cue Sends)-8

#9 AES Outs?-Not required

#10 Does the Software Interface matter-Somewhat, Yes. More so, Quality of Sound.


Though the RME Fireface 400 only has 2 mic pre's, how is the sound quality compared to the likes of a Apogee Product? (duet, ensemble) is it more transparent in sound?

[albee1952]

I think the Focusrite Saffire 56 ticks all the boxes for you. The 003R is not a bad second choice(and still has a slight edge in integration with PT)

[D and B]

Thanks for the reply...

Whatever it is, I just need the pre's to be amazing. That's why I mentioned the Duet. Quality is everything. I'm gonna be recording a lot of vocals.

[DonM]

Quick response as I head into a bunch of meetings this morning ...

I mostly agree with Albee ... the 56 is great - I own a couple of the 40's and they are very similar in some ways and different in others.

I gave a quick scan of the user guide - does the 56 do DSP hardware monitoring with effects? I can't tell from my read of the user guide.

more later

-D

[Milko71]

I own the Liquid 56 and love the Liquid pre-amps. There are no effects like reverb in the DSP mixer.

I do have a lot of problems to get it stable with PT9. It keeps on giving the message that the "ASIO device properties have been changed" and I have to restart PT9. This happens every few minutes.

Milko

[D and B]

Indeed I have read so many mixed reviews about the 56. Quality and Stability are very much Key, seeing this is gonna be my main interface right now.
Thanks for the replies so far!

[getz76]

Originally Posted by D and B

I just need the pre's to be amazing.

What is your budget?

[D and B]

As of right now, about $1400. But, if I can get the quality and versatility for lower I can work with that lol.

[getz76]

Originally Posted by D and B

As of right now, about $1400. But, if I can get the quality and versatility for lower I can work with that lol.

If you want "amazing" preamps, your budget is lacking.

Settle for adequate.

The difference in quality of built-in preamps of interfaces in your price range with you requirements is not significant. There are some character differences, but honestly nothing is going to make-or-break a recording.

What microphones are you putting in front of the preamp, anyway?

[rosemeister]

How about a used Apogee Ensemble for about $1400?

I have the Duet and it sounds amazing. Bought it used.