Even though I have not owned the two interface's you have listed, I think it would be safe to say that the Motu or the Firepod would be a big step up from the Alesis Multimix.

But........If I could swing the extra cash. I would get a RME Fireface 800.
Killer interface. good pre's and converter's..

Peace.........Scoobie

So i have been reading reviews, and everything on the firepod seems like it shoulod work great.

but one review said the Pre Amps were bad....is this true has anybody tried one. How much better will be it be then the MultiMix

When u are shopping for an interface the most important factors are the A/D converters and the number of in/outs. The EMU 1820 has the same converters as the digi 192 and has 8 ins/outs with an additional midi i/o. If you already have a mixer,this would be my suggestion. Its compatible with cubase/nuendo,etc. Its pci not firewire...but the also make a mobile version for laptops. Ive been very pleased with mine FWIW. Good luck

And to answer your question...the pres are not nice at all with the firepod.

So i have been reading reviews, and everything on the firepod seems like it shoulod work great.

but one review said the Pre Amps were bad....is this true has anybody tried one. How much better will be it be then the MultiMix

What is your budget for this project?

How high do you want the potential quality to be?

"Fun stuff"?

"Good stuff"?

A start at "super stuff"?

Me? I would pick the software that would do the job's I wanted to do.

Next, assemble the computer that would run the software, no prob.

Next, a LynxTwo(A,B or C model) soundcard and "go on" from there, as needed.

Lynx Aurora(8 or 16),

Any "other" Lynx "adapter's", as it were, I might need.

Outboard pre's.

"Outboard Everything", far as it goes, each "Thing" chosen for "it's" job.

I would not like to lock myself into ANY "all-in-one" widget, unless, maybe it was the latest SSL console or something... even there..?

It is so tempting today to just get it "all-in-one-box". I just couldn't do it, almost no matter how good "the box" is......

Yes, I might get a MM Origin "channel strip" or something, but still and all, only AFTER I had a John Hardy or two(Or 16?) that were "just" pre's, etc., etc., etc.

TG

Teddy G

So it depends what you think "Good" and "A start at super" but I know im not going to acheive studio quality at all....So im going to say Semi Good quality. I want the ability to adjust levels of each instrument, and actually have a Mic'd guitar amp to sound good.

I have a Mac G5 OSX, so im set on the computer part. (dont they come stock with a decent sound card?)

My budget is around 500, thats why i was looking at the Firepod because it comes with Cubecase and the firepod for $500

How about this.....Christmas is somewhat around the corner lol....so

Since you said that i shouldn't go for an "all in one", is there something that i could do like, buy a firepod now, or another interface that will let me recored decect for a while, and mabye ill have some cash after christmas to buy some other things.

But what would you do if you were on a $500 budget and you need a decent progam....

Theres not to many choices.....

I don't think, with a 500 dollar budget, that you have much choice?

I was going to recommend you "go back" a bit, pick the software you want to use, that'll do what you need it to do, then make sure your computer will handle it easily, then, pick an interface/soundcard, then preamps and other outboard gear(The "Real", full-version, Cubase 4 may "do you in" for $500, alone? And I want to upgrade to the LynxTwo, at $1000+ -- EEEK!) -- and ALL my stuff is for just 2 in/2 out..... This is tough stuff!

Keep in mind through my ranting that I HAD to "go pro", as pro as I could, I make my living(Such as it is...) with this stuff...

Anyway, I looked things over for a l-o-n-g time before I "bit". My choice was to make my "base" v-e-r-y "sound", so I went a LynxOne card(Best there was, at the time) and added to it as I had to and could afford to -- seperate preamp(I got a pre with a digital out, so I could use the analog I/O for everything else -- 2 digital I/O, 2 analog I/O, total.), seperate headphone amp, etc. Unfortunately, the LynxOne(Now "aging") is still $500, all by itself!

I don't know ANY of the devices of which you speak? BUT! If the MOTU is 8 channel, with 8 pre's, at $500, the pre's in it should be less-than-stellar, themselves? Figuring pre's at half the price of "the box", each pre would cost you about 30 bucks? My ONE pre, single channel, cost $500, all by itself, and I want to upgrade in the worst way.....! Oh well......

Only thing I'm trying to say is don't make a sideways move. One gadget of similar price/features should be no better than any other. My own experience shows me that I have to, generally, go ALOT more, like 5 times more, for any particular thing to hear any real difference. If the Multimix cost you 99.95, then the MOTU, at $500, may be a nice improvement? Do your homework, don't skip the math and any upgrade will be easy to figure(Though "the facts", somehow, ALWAYS show it to be more costly than I'd hoped.).

If I had to do it, on a shoestring, I'd get as good a, basic, soundcard(Like a LynxOne or A Card Deluxe, or something?) as possible and run a nice Mackie mixer into it(Mixing my drums in the mixer, not the computer). Very good quality, though still, what? 12-15 hundred?

Come to think of it, maybe that all-in-one for 5 C's, is a GREAT idea!

HELLOOOOOO MOTU!!!

TG

yeah i do get what your saying about making a jump a big one so your not paying for a difference that you cant tell happened.

So do you think i should go with the MOTU or save up for something better.

But keep this in mind. Were only a band in highschool trying to spread our music localy andhelp us get into a couple shows and concerts. nothing more at the moment. So i dont really want to spend 1 - 2k when i dont need to.

All any of us can do is investigate the options we think we have very carefully, ask around for opinions, think again, if neccessary, and get something - or not.

TG

xX5thQuarterXx wrote: Teddy G

So it depends what you think "Good" and "A start at super" but I know im not going to acheive studio quality at all....So im going to say Semi Good quality. I want the ability to adjust levels of each instrument, and actually have a Mic'd guitar amp to sound good.

I have a Mac G5 OSX, so im set on the computer part. (dont they come stock with a decent sound card?)

My budget is around 500, thats why i was looking at the Firepod because it comes with Cubecase and the firepod for $500

How about this.....Christmas is somewhat around the corner lol....so

Since you said that i shouldn't go for an "all in one", is there something that i could do like, buy a firepod now, or another interface that will let me recored decect for a while, and mabye ill have some cash after christmas to buy some other things.

But what would you do if you were on a $500 budget and you need a decent progam....

Theres not to many choices.....

All of the new Macs come with 24bit digital audio with optical SPDIF I/O, some people just connect a preamp digitally.

But if you are tracking a band you will probably need more than stereo I/O.

Not sure if 8 inputs are enough, more inputs would be tough on your budget.

Take a look at the MOTU ultralite, you can add a second or third one to your setup at a later time.

Also putting a PA in the signal chain probably doesn't help your signal chain.

8)

If 8 inputs would work for you, I'd get the firepod. It has decent preamps for the price. It will work really well hooked to your G5 via firewire. At 500 bucks, it will get you up and recording right away. I'm more than happy with mine.

You most likely have Garageband already. It's a very simple program to use. Sure it's limited to 16 bit recording, but that should not be a problem for your needs. Otherwise, the Cubase LE should work for you too.

If you want to start making some demo recordings for around the 500 dollar mark, this is the way to go. If you want to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on studio quality gear, then you can do that. But considering what your needs and budget are, the Presonus Firepod will work really well for you.

Thanks Von, i think im going t pick one up this weekend, and if i do i get a free HP4 Headphone amp with it. Free grear is always good in my book!

I LOVE the RME Fireface 800. If you can live with less analog inputs and save some money I'd go for the Fireface 400.

The fireface doesnt have enough mic inputs for what i need to do.
But thanks for the reply

xX5thQuarterXx wrote: The fireface doesnt have enough mic inputs for what i need to do.
But thanks for the reply

You can record 28 tracks with the Fireface 800.
But it only has 4 mic pre's built in. It's has 8 balanced line inputs. SPDIF and two adat in's on back for a total of 28 inputs.

Love that Fireface,

Peace............Scoobie

...and then someday you'll think "Dang, I wish I didn't have to run everything into these weak preamps. I should've gotten preamps seperate from the interface so I can easily upgrade later."
...or maybe you won't ever lust after the nice preamps like some of us do...

The original poster seems to have made up his mind already. So this post is for the other people who will be reading this thread.
I have owned, digi 002, Motu traveller, Pre sonus firebox
and Rme fireface.

They all work fine and will record you at a good level.
The latency and recording quality botherd me on all of these units except for the fireface.

Id rate them sound wise...rme...digi...motu...and then presonus.
Id rate them quality and budget wise..rme...presonus......digi(because it comes wiht pro- tools...motu...

The presonus firebox is a good BARGAIN...BUT..it does not compare to fireface. I have old recordings of the fireface and compared to the firebox..the vocals really sound like tinsil. Same mic same everything...
So if you dont really care and would rather have an extra 700?. GO with the presonus. If you do care...get the fireface if you can swing it.

So..i found out the hard way...but I did find out.

Im sure there is better gear up at the next level...but for the money in a do it all yourself at home category...and for overall usability of everything they give you...I think an RME is the best high QUALITY home recording studio device dollar for dollar out there.

I tried to cut back and went with a presonus and sold my rme...I regret it. Im looking for an rme again.

The rme also let me record with alot more tracks without trouble then any of the others..on an ibook g4.