USB or FireWire Interface???
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Posted on Aug 23, 2007 02:10 pm
xkapin_reelity
Musician on a Mission
Member Since: Jul 30, 2007
Hey I'm looking for a decent, low budget 2 to 4 input usb or firewire interface. Any recommendations? I'm using Garageband on my Mac to record, and sometimes N-Track Studio, or Audicity on my PC to record.
Also, where do you guys buy your equipment online? Wheres the best deals(other than ebay)?
Thanks a ton!!
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 23, 2007 02:37 pm Hey there X, in the US, I use Sweetwater. You can get yourself a sales rep, and they'll be your personal contact for as long as you want. Plus, the reps are very well trained in music field, either playing, recording, etc.
I've gotten better deals than I could online anywhere else, but you have to talk to a sales rep to get it. They discount their 'online' price when dealing directly with you (one on one).
Call them up and ask for a sales rep, and they'll set you up. The rep will ask you what you're doing, and what you want to do.
Aug 23, 2007 02:43 pm ** ahem **
HRC recommends zZounds...
We have a decent thread regarding the Lexicon Omega, which may be a good fit for you... www.zzounds.com.../item--LEXOMEGA
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 23, 2007 02:46 pm i figured i'd catch a smack on the head for that.
7:)
If it weren't for SW, I'd recommend ZZ in a heartbeat.
Aug 23, 2007 02:48 pm SW sucks...not sure why, but I am sure they do.
zZounds supports HRC, end of story on official recommendations.
Aug 23, 2007 02:49 pm Thank you for your advise.... About the Lexicon.. are they good with MACs? I saw a forum somewhere that some guys were complaining about garageband not finding it. your thoughts?
Aug 23, 2007 02:54 pm No idea, I don't use Crap-n-toss so I dunno...
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Aug 23, 2007 03:06 pm Whatever device you end up buying will most likely come with some sort of multitracking software that will outperform Garageband, Audacity or N-Track hands-down. So I wouldn't worry that much about compatibility with these applications because the device you buy will be bundled with some software that *should* be fully compatible with your hardware.
At least in an ideal world that's how it works :)
Aug 23, 2007 03:13 pm on the lexicon Lambda can I record 4 tracks simultaneously? What do you think the "insert" for the mic 1 and 2 are? are those inputs too?
Aug 23, 2007 03:18 pm how about a Alesis 8USB Mixer? would that also get the job done?
www.zzounds.com...ALEMULTIMIX8USB
I found that online for $145.00
and i found the Lexicon Lambda for $125 and the Lexicon Omega for $160
So I'm wondering which would be the best bang for the buck lol
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 23, 2007 03:22 pm Inserts are for 'inserting' a device in your signal path. This can be for an item like a compressor or an EQ.
Normally, you would want 100% of your signal to go through this device, and then come back into your signal path. That's why it's 'inserted'.
So no, they're not inputs, just augmentations to the first two inputs.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 23, 2007 03:24 pm bang 4 buck, i'd say the ratio is pretty straight.
more money, means better stuff, or more stuff, or, more and better stuff.
I think WYD has been touting the alesis io mixer as pretty good, though it may be on a PC.
I haven't touched Macs either, so no real help here =/.
Aug 23, 2007 03:34 pm Will usb record all 8 of the channels on that mixer? Some review on musicians friend said it would only record 2 because usb will only record 2 channels at a time, and to get a firewire. I've never heard this, so I was wondering for your opinions or if you have any knowledge on the matter?
I also noticed on musicians friend the mixer is $150.00 with free shipping, but also a $30.00 mail in rebate that brings it down to $120.00 thats why i'm getting slightly fixated on info on the mixer lol.
If I can get 8 channels simultaneously through the mixer, i'd be a happy girl lol.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 23, 2007 04:02 pm I doubt it, but I'd have to check more in depth. That info isn't readily available on the few pages I've looked at so far.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Aug 23, 2007 04:02 pm From what I've seen online, the USB mixers will only send to the computer a summed stereo signal, while the FireWire mixers will send to the computer each individual track. The latter is much more useful.
This may vary by model, but this is the general trend that I see.
Aug 23, 2007 04:16 pm but if I got the Lexicon would they record seperate tracks to my recording software or will it just be one track?
What do you guys know about presonus?
Aug 23, 2007 04:47 pm Presonus rocks, every piece of presonus gear I've had has been outstanding. Good customer service as well.
