New PC-Based Studio: Multiple Track Recording?

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:17 am

I wanted to use a Raid0, but I wasnt sure how it would work with a 10.5.1 hack os. So I got a MB that I knew was compatible.

Im going to be using a 7,200 RPM S-ATA HDD. I wasn't thinking that a partition would effect the uploading of the audio interface with that fast of a hard drive.

I want to keep this computer as bare bones as I can, because im not sure of the compatiblity of Leopard with mulit-HDD's and such.

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:11 am

The FP10 (Firepod as I know it) is a good product. It's easy to use, and comes with Cubase LE, I believe, so you wouldn't have to buy software on top of this (I'm assuming you don't already have some kind of software program). Right now, considering you don't want to spend much, and want 8 discrete channels, this would be the way to go. If you could find one used, it'd be even better.

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:27 am

Actually I have Cubase and Audition. Is the FP10 the only Firepod that lets you record to discrete channels? I can find previous versions of the Firepod for a lot less.

Am I wrong to be adamant about this multitrack recording capability? You folks know better than I do. I'll be recording acoustic and electric guitars/bass, vocals, piano, very possibly some strings (i.e. cello, violin) and percussion. I will already have two additional channels since I have two Blue Snowball condensors. They would make for fine drum overheads/room mics I think.

I'm open to your suggestions ... also I would really like to hear more about the idea mentioned a while back about using patch cables on that Alesis MultiMix 16USB. And still wondering if the Multimix 16Firewire mixes to stereo like the USB versino or if it offers individual channel recording (ok what is the correct terminology here?).

Thanks very much all!

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:21 pm

Thought I would forward replies I got from some questions I sent to Alesis:

"Thank you for your interest in Alesis.

Our USB1.1 mixers only record all channels down to a single stereo track (left and right channel). These are most likely the mixers that you were told about.

Our Firewire and USB2.0 mixers are capable of multi-track recording. Therefore, any of our Firewire or USB2.0 mixers will work perfectly for what you are trying to do."

And after I sent some more questions, another reply:

"Thank you for your enquiry.

Me: What is the difference between the 16Firewire and the 16USB 2.0 mixers? I believe Firewire is faster but imagine USB 2.0 is probably adequate for 16 channels, so what is the practical difference, if any?

Alesis: There is only one difference between these two mixers. The difference being that the USB2.0 mixer is capable of transferring audio at a higher sample rate than the Firewire mixer.

The Firewire mixers highest transfer rate is 48KHZ. The USB2.0 mixers highest transfer is 96KHZ.

Me: In the specs on your site for the 16Firewire, next to phantom power it says 4@48v. Does this mean that only 4 of the XLR mic inputs provide phantom power? Same question for the 16USB 2.0.

Alesis: This is incorrect. Both the Firewire and USB2.0 mixers have phantom power on all 8 XRL mic inputs (8@48V)."

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:42 pm

Space wrote:

basilbowman wrote:

The board you're looking at will only let you pull in the stereo mix, i.e. the master mix from the board into your computer, not each channel individually, so your mixing will have to be live, because afterwards you'll only have left and right to play with, not "Guitar" "Kick" "Snare" "Vocals" etc. Just so you know...

Nathan

Not true. Bussing will allow at least 4 seperate channels. If your comfortable with making your own patch cords you can use any one of the 8 i/o points on the back to route sound for a total of 12 channels out.

Around here the presonus firepod gets good press which would eliminate the need for an external board.

If there is any confusion, which I often bring to the table, my reference was to your first post on this topic, the Yamaha MG16 mixer.

Just in case....

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:54 pm

Space, I would love to use the MG16 if I can, since I still can get it much more inexpensively than even the Alesis mixers, which are in turn significantly less than the Firepod. Did you see my question replying to your post about patch cords? I'd be comfortable messing with that but was wondering how it works and whether or not I could have 8 inputs and 8 serparate outputs simultaneously.

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:10 pm

http://www.m-audio.com/ has the 1010 and the 1010lt soundcard with multiple[8] ins and outs.

Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:57 am

Thanks Space! Anybody have opinions on the M-Audio 1010 vs Alesis MultiMix interfaces?

Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:55 am

I'm hankering after a 1010LT, since I'm on a budget and want something other than onboard, with multiple lines (and any quality of pres are a plus).
I do live sound though, so I'm not after a control surface. I don't want/need 2 mixers on the table as there's never enough space for one and a laptop lol.

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:33 am

The Firepod can be upgraded to the FP10 via the presonus website. (firmware upgrade)

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:16 am

Another option is the motu 8-pre. I was considering the presonus firestudio but went with the motu because I read alot about compatibility issues with the new macbook pro, and that's what I have. But I really wanted the firestudio, but was a little freaked by what I read. I think they are both really good, I've done some research on them. I paid 720,000 won here in Korea, that's probably about 720 dollars US give or take. Not sure where they are made so don't know if I pay more or less here. Anyway, the firestudio, if I would have waited and risked the compatibility issue, would have cost me 970,000 won.

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