Help on understanding firewire interfaces!

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Sir SM57
Member Since: Jan 29, 2008

Ok heres what I want to do. I have a 16 channel mixer (Behringer XENYX2222FX) I want some kind of soundcard/interface that allows me to run the output of each channel of the mixer (if it can be done) or some device that allows me to set individual channels to individual tracks on Cubase but record at the same time. Would the channel inserts on the back of my mixer (there is one for each channel but this is the only thing) be able to go into such a device or would I do all my mixing etc through the interface? The things im looking at but are confused about are products such as the Mackie ONYX 400F, Phonic Firefly 808. Also some advice on some reasonably priced active (powered or what ever you call em) studio monitors (I was looking at the Mackie TAPCO Series S8 ones). Any help will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Boe

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Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Apr 09, 2008 01:38 am

Looking around aswell I see there is stuff like the M-Audio Delta 1010LT 24-Bit 96kHz PCI Card. I have a laptop as a computer to work from so I dont think this will work. But the multiple RCA's is a good idea I guess. Do the firewire interfaces do the same thing though? (Multiple individual channels on individual tracks at the same time).

Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Apr 09, 2008 12:43 pm

The Onyx 400f is a great idea. Then you can get rid of that Xenyx! Remember that the mixer is only good for input. Once it's in the box, the faders, eq and fx are useless. So, regarless of whether you decide to keep the mixer or not, you will be mixing in the box.

The Delta 1010LT is alright but the i/o is unbalanced. The Delta 1010 with the breakout box is all balanced i/o. A much better buy imho. You will need at least 8 pres for that though.

There's also the Presonus FP10 and Firestudio at around the same price range as the Onyx.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Apr 09, 2008 01:18 pm

Yep, channel inserts will do the function you're looking for. But, you can't plug a cable jack all the way in to the insert. You plug a mono 1/4" jack up to the first click, and that's it. This taps signal from the insert point.

I used a 1010lt for a few years, and liked it much. It burned in a fire, so I upgraded, instead of replaced. It's unbalanced, like Hueseph says, and has RCA but it works OK. Certainly well within the hobby-ist range.

But, like he says, the 1010 is better, accepting 1/4" inputs, instead of RCA, and converters out of the PCI card, instead of on it like the 1010LT.

To let you know, I purchased the ESI ESP1010 to replace my 1010lt. It's worked great for me, on my clean XP box. Plus, it has 2 preamps as well.

But as stated above, the 400f would be a great alternative, giving you 4 preamps, and FW interface, instead of PCI.

pros and cons with both, I'd say.

Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Apr 09, 2008 11:36 pm

Ok from reading this I can run the channel inserts of my mixer into the inputs of the firewire interface but the faders, mixer on my Behringer will have no effect and I will mix/level in the firewiire interface. What type of cable will I need to go from the mixer to the firewire interface. Sorry if im slow, im kinda new to all this but I do know what I want recording capability wise.

Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Apr 09, 2008 11:56 pm

I think you can actually get a cable specifically for this purpose at guitar center. It's simply a trs to ts cable. Essentially the send/return part of the cable are normalled to each other. So you get a bit of a cut in the signal strength but you don't lose the ability to monitor from the mixer. This is great if you plan to use the mixer for your headphone cues.

Conversely, what you could do is get an insert cable with rca connectors on the other end.(this is assuming you are going to get the delta 1010lt). Run the output from the mixer to the input of the LT and the output from the LT to the insert return. You would have to route the output in your recording software in order to use the headphone mix from the mixer. That is, you won't be getting any signal back to the mixer unless you route it back in your software.

All the other functions of the mixer will also be either functional or disabled depending on whether the insert send is pre or post eq. It's more than likely pre eq however.

Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Apr 10, 2008 03:31 am

By the sounds of things I think ill go with a firewire interface rather than a soundcard. I can still montor the mixer sounds but let the firewire process the signal for recording into simultaneous tracks on Cubase. Am I right?

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Apr 10, 2008 11:15 am

No, just a TS - TS cable. Pushing a jack all the way in will break the signal path, and the insert will try to send and receive signal. This you don't want, unless you actually have an 'insert' device.

In this instance, you don't. You just want to 'steal' signal from the mixer, after the preamp. So only to the first click, and you'll only be using Tip, and sleeve.

The only control you'll have over signal strength is the trim or gain knob for each channel. This is good, because once you get gain set, you leave it alone. The signal then going to the FW device is nice and fat, to be used later in mixing.

Now, the incoming signal is still going through the regular mixer, so you can hear your incoming signals from the mixer headphones, or from the main outs.

I also do like Hueseph mentioned, route PC output back to the mixer, so you can monitor all of it from the mixer. This way you can control monitor volume of incoming signals with the faders, and control PC signals with either channel volume (if they're on a channel) or by return amount.

Should work well.

Member
Since: Mar 03, 2008


Apr 10, 2008 11:38 am

I understand what you're saying pjk. What I'm suggesting is that there is actually a patch cable designed to utilise the insert as an output. Of course it's more money to spend and if you've already got a batch of standard ts cables....

Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Apr 10, 2008 06:12 pm

And TS stands for? I know how to wire up leads and jacks n stuff. Is that a stereo jack with just the outside and ground lug wired up? Or is it the inner lug?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Apr 10, 2008 06:30 pm

"tip/sleeve", your standard guitar type cable, with just a tip contact point and a sleeve contact point.

Sir SM57
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2008


Apr 12, 2008 09:43 am

What models allow me to daisy chain fireiwre units or generally are they all compatible to do this?

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