M-Audio Products/ etc.

Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 11:11 pm

Hello guys.

I am interested in making descent sounding mp3 format music files for personal enjoyment and possibly to show off my songs to family and friends.
Smile

I'm a guitarist who can play bass and sometimes sing as a joke. I have a pentium 2/3 system with M-Audio Revolution Soundcard and Audacity. I'm not planing too spend much, so i've decided that i'm going to purchase a SM57 for gui/bas/vocal purposes and a M-Audio Product. Something like Mobilepre USB or Fast Track USB etc...

I was wondering which product will be good for me. I'm leaning towards the cheapest one, Fast Track USB. But i was wondering about Fast Track USB not having XLR and Phantom Power; thus, unable to use Capacitor Mics for quality amp recordings, vocal recordings etc. Does it really matter? or am i overreating?

Also, i was looking into Digitech's GNX4. Should i buy GNX4 instead of a M-Audio product? I don't care about those many effects or the actual quality of the effects for gui/bass (cos it's good enough for me), just for it's capabilities to do anything including drums and recording vocals etc...

any suggestions? what should i do? thx

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:59 pm

i wouldn't get the digitech. how much are you willing to spend? just get a nice interface.

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:03 pm

I'd go with an M-Audio interface. They're a great brand. I'm personally not too impressed with DigiTech either. How much are you looking to spend? Are there any specific requirements that you'll need met? Personally, I use a M-Audio FireWire Solo. It has slightly more flexibility than the Fast Track, better software compatability, and lower latency, but it costs a bit more. It's was about $60 more than the Fast Track, if my memory serves me, but it was definitely worth it.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:22 pm

My budget is around 270$cdn (price of Firewire Solo).
My specific requirements are....

1. good quality recording for guitars, bass and vocals
2. ease of use
3. i don't want to buy add-ons, misc. lines & gadgets or a even software stuff.
4. durability
5. file format in mp3
6. ability to playback the sound through headphones or speakers when i'm recording.
7. no time delay when i'm multi-tracking(?) or ever.
8. no hiss
etc...

As of now, i'm leaning towards M-Audio Firewire Solo. Does M-A FS interface meet these requirements?

I've noticed that Firewire Solo is not USB; does this mean that i'll have to buy a soundcard with a Firewire input and Firewire connector & cables?
Also, what are Firewire hard drive and sound module?

I would love to get the GT Player Express software also. I have a hard time finding drum tracks, and it's a bitch to make them into a 4-5 min loop that
sounds descent (i'm using Audacity). Does the Ableton Live lite 5 offer similar type of effects/drums tracks/drum loop programs like the GT-software does?

What about a M-Audio Black Box?

Finally, what are the things you like/dislike about the M-Audio Firewire Solo?

Thanks again.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:08 pm

first, firewire is like usb, but i believe it started as an apple/mac thing. anyways, it doesn't have anything to do with your soundcard. they are built in to the motherboard. if your computer doesn't have firewire, you'll either need to get a new motherboard or computer, or find something different.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:29 pm

Instead of getting a new motherboard, if your computer is a desktop you could add a PCI Firewire card. If I'm not mistaken, there's also PCMCIA cards for laptops.

Anyway, I think it's easier sticking with what you have, so in your case I'd recommend a USB interface. I could recommend the Tascam US-122. I have one and never had a problem with it (though I might sell it because I need an interface with more outputs). With it you can record 2 channels simultaneously, is very well built and very stable. Besides, it comes bundled with Cubase LE, a very nice DAW that should be more than enough for what you need. Check it out.

http://www.tascam.com/Products/US-122.html

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:58 pm

Thanks guys.

But which one is better? They are around the same price.

Tascam i think has one extra XLR Mic Input with Phantom P. Also MIDI I/O's (what is this for? like for drum machines and keyboards?). It seems they've included a better software bundle.

M-Audio doesn't have all that, but has S/PDIF whatever...and has higher kHz audio interface..does that mean that it's faster and better quality when recording sounds?

M-Audio has FAST TRACK PRO that seems like an equal to the US-122 from Tascam without the MIC whatever...

If M-Audio Fast Track Pro has GT-software Library... why doesn't Firewire Solo have the program? is it because Firewire Solo is for guitarists, therefore doesn't need to include the GT, since guitarists mostly own M-FXs or stompers?I have no clue...

I don't know which one could be better for me, getting the firewire card wouldn't be hard and it's only 18$.

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 2:39 am

Anyone have any more suggestions? about getting/not getting a FireWire Solo?

Also, anyone have any websites for reading reviews about Interfaces and etc..?

thanks.

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 11:50 pm

The M-Audio Firewire solo is a good buy in my opinion. A friend of mine bought it and I got to mess around with it. If your computer doesn't have a firewire you can go and buy a PCI card with firewire inputs. Much cheaper than buying a new motherboard considering the firewire PCI card is like $20 at the most.

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:02 am

dunhill wrote:

Anyone have any more suggestions? about getting/not getting a FireWire Solo?

I have and use it. It does the trick for me 100%.

Cheers

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