Recording interface help

sailingguitarist · Post by **sailingguitarist** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:31 pm

Hi - Im new to the forum - hello to all. I see this is a place of many people of wisdom - I need some advice.

Im ready to make the updgrade from pro-sumer recording to more professional. I have used in the studio in Nashville a RADAR II system. Seems like the best converter on the market - with 24 track at the same time. Good system - reasonable price.

My question is - it seems like I can get updated system (instead of old technolgy - radar) - with good converters - but I only need like 2 channels of recording at a time - not 24.

What is a good recording interface - 96k 24bit - pc based - pro quality converter/pre's? Im considering the new MOTU firewire unit - but I want to do my homework - so I only buy once. I have already purchased and returned an Edirol M-16DX.

Steve Hall
The Eric Stone Band

timriley · Post by **timriley** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:35 am

Hi....

You're right to do your homework! The choice you are making isn't an easy one....

There are a number of things you need to concider...

Which software are you planning to use for recording? You say you are a PC user so that rules out Digital Performer (motu) and Logic Studio (apple).. You'll probably be looking at Protools HD or LE (digidesign), Cubase (steinberg) or Nuendo (steinberg), although there are others!!

Protools systems are a complete package, so you'll get the software (DAW) to record onto and the hardware (audio/MIDI interface) to plug into!

With the other choices you only get the software.. You then have to choose an audio/MIDI interface to go with it.. Be careful to get something that works well with your computer system and recording software!

For instance, if you definately want to go the PC route, you wont be able to use MAC only interfaces like Apogee or Metric Halo.. There are however others!

You've already concidered MOTU.. You could also look at audio interfaces by RME, Mackie or Focusrite!

Im only touching the surface here... If you're in no hurry to buy, take your time and consider your options!

sailingguitarist · Post by **sailingguitarist** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:54 am

Thank you for your advice. I will check out the manufactures you suggested. I subscribe to most of the trade mags - so I read about the company's products that advertise - but I was hoping to find that device that is used in the rarest of studios - whatever that is???

Steve

kassonica · Post by **kassonica** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:04 am

sailingguitarist wrote:Thank you for your advice. I will check out the manufactures you suggested. I subscribe to most of the trade mags - so I read about the company's products that advertise - but I was hoping to find that device that is used in the rarest of studios - whatever that is???

Steve

Well if you want the best I'd be looking at prism, Lavery, Benchmark or HEDD.

In fact HEDD make some very very nice stereo convertors.

Make sure though you have saved your pennies for these.

RME is very good as well and the higher end motu convertors are good too.

timriley · Post by **timriley** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:17 am

All of the brands i've mentioned are affordable and fairly mainstream!!

Kassonicas suggestions are very good....

You could also think about getting really good microphone preamps to go with your converters.....

......and really good microphones to go with your preamps.......

......and a really great studio to put them all in!!!!