Your fave non-MOTU interface

denovo · Post by **denovo** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:09 am

I currently use a Firepod. It works OK. The 8 mic pres are nice to have. I would have gotten an 828 MkII and every once in a while, I am tempted to get a friend's used one. But I need 2-4 mic pres at any one time.

The Firepod's monitoring facility leaves something to be desired, but I can work around it for now. Anybody have a better suggestion?

Budget is around $500.

Charles

homebilly · Post by **homebilly** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:35 am

firebox $225 or so

wheever · Post by **wheever** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:41 am

I replaced my firepod with a firestudio and am very happy with it. It sounds vastly better, and the latency free monitoring works perfectly.

denovo · Post by **denovo** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:05 am

homebilly wrote:firebox $225 or so

Yes, I've heard good things about this. However, I need 4 pres at least.

C

denovo · Post by **denovo** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:06 am

wheever wrote:I replaced my firepod with a firestudio and am very happy with it. It sounds vastly better, and the latency free monitoring works perfectly.

Hmm...Isn't this basically the Firepod with some added features? So I don't know how much more of an improvement this would be.

C

sdfalk · Post by **sdfalk** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:45 am

Im pretty happy with the little Saffire LE I just picked up a while back

wheever · Post by **wheever** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:52 pm

denovo wrote: Hmm...Isn't this basically the Firepod with some added features? So I don't know how much more of an improvement this would be.

Actually, it's a huge improvement, audiowise. The pre-amps are totally different; they claim to be high-voltage "class A" with discrete components.
So, while I can't vouch for that, I can tell you that it sounds much cleaner and crisper, much, much more transparent than the firepod.

Plus, the mixer software and latency free monitoring is great. You can have multiple mixes set up, and they're stored in NVRAM onboard so you can set it up for live work without needing a computer.

Obviously, I'm pleased with it, but YMMV.

denovo · Post by **denovo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:22 pm

Interesting...Will have to check it out...

Say, would it theoretically be possible to hook up the Firepod I have to an 828 MkII and use the 828 MkII as the primary interface to my 1.25 Ghz AlBook? While using the Firepod as the mic pres?

I know they both have SPDIF. And they are both Firewire devices? Daisy chain them?

I'm hoping I can then monitor thru Cuemix in DP and have it all work automagically...

Wishful thinking?

C

frankymax · Post by **frankymax** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:29 pm

Hey is anyone using the Apogee Ensemble with DP? It seems to be all set up for Logic but I hear that it'll run fine with DP- I'm using an 828MkII but would love to hear from Apogee Ensemble users what they think of the sound.
Thanks,
Frank

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:59 pm

frankymax wrote:Hey is anyone using the Apogee Ensemble with DP? It seems to be all set up for Logic but I hear that it'll run fine with DP- I'm using an 828MkII but would love to hear from Apogee Ensemble users what they think of the sound.
Thanks,
Frank

Peter McCStrat is among the few who have Ensemble here-- but I haven't seen him online in a while. He also uses one of the RME interfaces as well.

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:28 pm

denovo wrote:
homebilly wrote:firebox $225 or so
Yes, I've heard good things about this. However, I need 4 pres at least.

C

I know the original question was about "non-MOTU" interfaces, but as long as it's clear what MOTU represents in the way of interfaces, you can make the most informed decision.

MOTU interfaces are historically a lot of bang for the buck. The only reason not to use a MOTU interface with DP is if the quality of the convertors is/are at issue.

I would sooner just make a list of what I wanted to accomplish ideally without putting a price restriction on it. This will give you a better picture of how close to or far from the mark you are with your most coveted features from your $500 benchmark.

I even hesitate to recommend a worthy alternative because:

-- $500 for 4 pres with topshelf conversion is a tall order

-- $500 (or so) for something like the MOTU 8Pre doesn't address your original question

-- My favorite non-MOTU interface probably has an optional cable of some sort that would cost about $500

However:

If price is your first priority, scour the web for mac-compatible interfaces with at least 4 pres in the $500 price range, then limit your evaluation to those. Consider that two fireboxes for $450 with 4 pres would be awkward to setup as an aggregate device whereas an 8Pre for $550 may suit your purse at the expense of other criteria you are looking for in a non-MOTU interface.

If sound quality is your main criterion for judgment, then you are going to be out a whole lot more than $500, imho, OR you will find yourself right back at square 1 with an 8Pre or similar with CueMix.

kassonica · Post by **kassonica** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:53 pm

The RME's FF400 are not much more that the Motu's and the next step up in the converter/pre-amp department,

they have much lower jitter rates as well and use the same converter chips as the apogee's

Mr. Quimper · Post by **Mr. Quimper** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:23 pm

kassonica wrote:The RME's FF400 are not much more that the Motu's and the next step up in the converter/pre-amp department,

they have much lower jitter rates as well and use the same converter chips as the apogee's

For what it's worth, I've heard there have been some serious issues with RME interfaces on Macs and a lack of communication from the company in regard to a reason/solution. Maybe it's been resolved since I've looked into it...maybe it was just a driver issue or something, I don't know.

In any case, that's just from reading some comments online and I have no personal experience in the matter, but I've heard it repeated enough times that it's stopped me from looking at the RME interfaces as a solution, when otherwise the near universal praise of their units had me seriously considering a Fireface for a long time.

Mr. Quimper · Post by **Mr. Quimper** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:29 pm

Maybe if there are some happy DP/RME users on here, I'll decide to look into it again...

Mr. Quimper · Post by **Mr. Quimper** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:33 pm

I know this isn't useful to the topic starter as it's above the stated price range, and I know Mackie's gained a bit of a negative reputation with this sort of gear in the past, but I just wanted to bring this thing up...because it truly looks lovely:

Mackie Onyx 1200F FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface Features:

* 30-in, 34-out audio/MIDI interface with 12 Onyx preamps
* Two instrument inputs
* Eight balanced line outputs
* Dual stereo control room outputs
* Four independent headphone outputs
* S/PDIF and AES/EBU I/O
* Dual ADAT I/O
* Two FireWire ports
* Includes Tracktion 2 and Final Mix software