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#289355 03/25/15 12:37 AM
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Looking to replace my aging pc and will also have to retire my 15yr old terratec DMX fire soundcard.
Can't afford a high end device, so mid range would be the option. I'd rather an external one this time. Have been looking at various audio interfaces on amazon such as Behringer and tascam. Any thoughts ?

furry #289361 03/25/15 01:24 AM
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Howdy Graham. I would avoid "Behringer and tascam" like the plague. Have a look at the Focusrite series of USB's. Rock solid drivers and mic pres.

http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces


You might even get a better deal on them, since they are based in the UK.


Regards,

Bob

furry #289362 03/25/15 01:29 AM
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Graham, how many inputs do you need? If two will do, I recommend the PreSonus AudioBox USB. Mine has proven reliable for over three years. The price has recently been dropped, and many bundled packages are available. Good luck with your search!


"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
furry #289367 03/25/15 02:05 AM
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I'm very happy with my Focusrite interfaces. The link posted above shows the whole line so you can choose the one with enough inputs. I'm presently using the 18i8 on my main machine and the 6i6 on my laptop.


BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
furry #289372 03/25/15 02:16 AM
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Focusrite.... what else needs to be said?


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
furry #289374 03/25/15 02:21 AM
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Thanks guys, obviously, I need a midi connection, but also audio connection to my small record deck, which I use quite frequently, and a line in for my mic which is a behringer.

I'm tempted by this one......... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Focusrite-Saffire-14-Firewire-Interface/dp/B0042DM2FW/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1427285828&sr=8-14&keywords=focusrite

Like the saffire 6 but not sure if this is available in the UK ?

Last edited by furry; 03/25/15 02:26 AM.
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I'm happy with my focusrite Scarlet 8i6. When you look for your pc, see if you can get usb2 ports as well as usb3. My laptop only has usb3 and although officially downward compatible this is not always the case. Also any usb1 components you may have will not work on usb3. There are not many usb3 sound cards out there, and not only are they expensive, but for the home recordist overkill.


Chris
furry #289377 03/25/15 02:28 AM
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I would have thought that firewire was on the way out.


Chris
furry #289378 03/25/15 02:31 AM
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I too would have thought the same Chris

furry #289380 03/25/15 02:38 AM
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It looks like focusrite are after Apple users with their firewire/thunderbolt approach.


Quote:
*All of Focusrite's FireWire interfaces are now fully compatible with Thunderbolt using simple FireWire to Thunderbolt adapter (not included). Focusrite fully supports the use of Thunderbolt with our FireWire interfaces. For more details visit the answerbase or read our compatibility article.


Chris
furry #289397 03/25/15 04:18 AM
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Fire wire is going the way of the dinosaurs. So get a USB based interface.

A good interface will give you the audio and midi inputs that you will need plus the outputs you need.

Some of the newer keyboards (midi) have a USB output and if that's the kind you have, you don't need the interface to have midi inputs.

My Focusrite has 2 audio inputs both low and high impedance, a midi in/out 5 pin connector, and 8 audio outputs that are all assignable.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
furry #289403 03/25/15 05:01 AM
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I just got rid of a firewire card, since it was a nightmare in Windows 8.1 (Microsoft left out the legacy firewire driver, but it was worse than that).

FYI, the Saffire line and the Scarlett line are quite similar; the main difference is firewire versus USB.


BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
furry #289410 03/25/15 05:56 AM
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Agreed with others. USB over firewire. Also make sure you have the inputs/outputs you want. I started with 6i6 and upgraded to 18i20 for not really a lot more money.

P.S. - I think Focusrite is out of the UK but they also have US operations.




Steve

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furry #289479 03/25/15 05:21 PM
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Some TASCAM interfaces work great - avoid the US800 like the plague and do not expect any reasonable technical support from TASCAM if you buy one of their lemons like the US-800. Other TASCAM products have a great legacy. Which will you get if you buy one? That's the gamble.

furry #289520 03/26/15 01:53 AM
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Thanks for the input guys, I'm goin to go with the Focusrite, though havn't made up my mind on the model. Havn't bought the new pc yet, but will probably get one within the next few months

furry #289521 03/26/15 01:58 AM
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I Have a Tascam DR07 sound recorder which is amazing. Recording level set at just 2, it'll record from the back of a large hall, giving crisp clear sound.

furry #289530 03/26/15 03:18 AM
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I've been using Tascam products for 35 years (since the first Portastudio Model 144 came out). Rock solid gear. Their interfaces? Not so much.


Regards,

Bob

90 dB #289532 03/26/15 03:22 AM
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Originally Posted By: 90 dB
I've been using Tascam products for 35 years (since the first Portastudio Model 144 came out).


I had a nice Portastudio 4 track cassette unit in the late 80s. I loved it until I went digital.




Steve

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Originally Posted By: sslechta
Originally Posted By: 90 dB
I've been using Tascam products for 35 years (since the first Portastudio Model 144 came out).


I had a nice Portastudio 4 track cassette unit in the late 80s. I loved it until I went digital.



I still have my Model 144. Bounce, bounce, bounce! grin

I also still have my old Tapco Model 6000R, which was the first mixer Greg Mackie ever designed. Still works.


Regards,

Bob

furry #289538 03/26/15 03:43 AM
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Stock photo of the 424 I had. Sold it in the 90's.





Steve

BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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