best audio interface for D.P.?

[BobK]

If I was somewhat richer (!), this one for sure :
ULN8 +DSP
http://www.mhsecure.com/v5mm/ULN-8.html
But around 6000$ (+ 700$ for plugins) are not in my ballpark yet !

The +DSP plug-ins are included at no additional charge with the ULN-8. The $700 charge only applies to the 2882 and ULN-2 boxes (both legacy and 2-d).

FWIW, beta-testers compared the mic pres favorably to Millennia and the like, and the converters to Lavry and that ilk. Given that the ULN-8 has 8 mic pres, 8 channels each of high-end A/D and D/A, the incredibly flexible MIO software mixer, and +DSP plug-ins, the $6k price looks like a good deal for those shopping the high end (compared to those separates).

The Metric Halo 2882-2d is also a great box, certainly a step above the so-called pro-sumer lines. It has 8 channels of great conversion, 8 very good, software-controllable mic pres (for mics that don't require high preamp gain), included DSP (the full +DSP plug-ins are $700 extra, but the basic set included with the 2d boxes includes a full-featured channel strip, reverb, and more), and an incredibly flexible, very-low-latency, 80-bit (!) mixer.

I'm very happy with my 2882, and while I don't have experience with other high-end gear for comparison, I'm happy with the ULN-8 too (I got it via the existing-customer discount when it was first released).

[Bill OC]

I'm on an Apogee Ensemble (which I love).

Bought a Steinberg MR816x (the one without the signal processing), because I was ready to go back to the PC before the pleasant surprise release of DP7 (although it works with Mac, too).

As many of you may know, Yamaha is giving a U.S. $300 rebate on this unit and its big brother (MR816csx) until the end of January. The 8 preamps and conversion in both directions are very good.

They made one little mistake, though--if the internet reports I read are correct, all the analog input (including line) is routed through the preamps. The good news, as I said above, is that the preamps are very good.

So I think it's a heck of a deal for $700 after rebate.

Of course don't sell the MOTU units short. DP and the MOTU boxes are literally made for each other.

[scooter]

Hey,

This is a boat load of great info. I do all my mixing in the computer, so no console.
Some of this stuff I've never heard of so I've got a lot to look at.
I think it's time for me to upgrade this part of my studio set up.

thanks a lot,

scooter

[Frodo]

Mine is a Solid State Logic Alpha Link XL connected to a 64- channel SSL PCIe card via fiber optic. This thing is FEROCIOUS.

Ferocious 64 channel SSL PCIe card? Are you interfacing to a console? Frodo what do you think about the UAD interface?

Yes, re: SSL PCIe card over fiber optic cable. It's my understanding this is one of the few card/box combos that has independent audio paths for in and out.

No, not interfacing with a console. Mostly ITB, but for mic input there might be some front end gear like a pre. I do have a pair of Yamaha 01Vs that I never managed to get rid of but hardly use. I've kept them just in case something comes up in a pinch requiring a lot of mic inputs, but should that ever turn mission-critical I'll need to rethink the whole mic thing. For now it works with a great pre going right into the SSL interface. With 24 channels of ADAT I/O as well as analog I/O, my connectivity options are fairly flexible.

The UAD 2192 ADDA? It's brilliant. The one thing that kept me away from it was that it's just 2 channels.

[newrigel]

The UAD 2192 ADDA? It's brilliant. The one thing that kept me away from it was that it's just 2 channels.

Awesome... just what I need!

[Frodo]

The UAD 2192 ADDA? It's brilliant. The one thing that kept me away from it was that it's just 2 channels.

Awesome... just what I need!

Check this out:

http://mixonline.com/products/review/au ... o_model_2/


It was a tricky trade off at first: 64 channels @ 96k or 2 channels @ 192k, but I figured 96k would be plenty-- plus the PCIe option on the SSL meant no firewire.

Don't know if this is possible, but I would weigh the UAD 2192 against the Apogee Rosetta 200 just for the sake of comparison. At these prices, it's not a question of *quality* as much as it is about character. One of them just may appeal to you more than the other.

[scooter]

Frodo,

Is this the bad boy you're talking about?
Just want to make sure that I'm checking out the right model.

Solid State Logic XLogic Alpha-Link Analogue I/O



scooter

[dinobass]

I'm wanting to get rid of my PCIe-424 because I have suspicions that it is causing a few issues (my new MacBook Pro actually feels more responsive than my Mac Pro). I basically only use its Cue Mix anyway (I'm now converting using an Apogee Rosetta 200): I've gone mixer-less but still need the zero-latency option. I don't need more than a stereo IN, but I need an interface that can route the inputs straight back to my monitor controller as well as into the computer.

[Frodo]

Dat be da wun!

And with this card:

http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/ ... _large.jpg


The box is 96k capable, but the card is 192k.

One thing to be careful of--- the fiber optic cable might take a little search and rescue. There are different types with different connectors, so you don't want to take for granted which cable model to get. (SSL doesn't sell them.)

SSL cites "fiber optic MADI cable", but you won't find them anywhere under that name. I found a cable made my Shaxon-- ST/ST duplex (or multimode) fiber optic cables. They were about $18 each, so I bought two (one for backup). Online, when sold for audio usage, the prices go WAY up (as opposed to ISP usage). When sold as ST/ST multimode things get a LOT more reasonable price-wise.

[Frodo]

I'm wanting to get rid of my PCIe-424 because I have suspicions that it is causing a few issues (my new MacBook Pro actually feels more responsive than my Mac Pro). I basically only use its Cue Mix anyway (I'm now converting using an Apogee Rosetta 200): I've gone mixer-less but still need the zero-latency option. I don't need more than a stereo IN, but I need an interface that can route the inputs straight back to my monitor controller as well as into the computer.

Dino-- you should contact MOTU first to evaluate your concerns if the MOTU PCIe-424 is misbehaving. That could save you some bean.

But--- if you have the Rosetta 200 (you lucky bassist), then you may be in need of less help than it seems!

If you already have the Rosetta 200, you might consider their Symphony card for tighter DAW integration.... and Maestro for monitoring.

[dinobass]

I'm wanting to get rid of my PCIe-424 because I have suspicions that it is causing a few issues (my new MacBook Pro actually feels more responsive than my Mac Pro). I basically only use its Cue Mix anyway (I'm now converting using an Apogee Rosetta 200): I've gone mixer-less but still need the zero-latency option. I don't need more than a stereo IN, but I need an interface that can route the inputs straight back to my monitor controller as well as into the computer.

Dino-- you should contact MOTU first to evaluate your concerns if the MOTU PCIe-424 is misbehaving. That could save you some bean.

But--- if you have the Rosetta 200 (you lucky bassist), then you may be in need of less help than it seems!

If you already have the Rosetta 200, you might consider their Symphony card for tighter DAW integration.... and Maestro for monitoring.

I'm luckier than you know! Didn't even remember (until I just looked) that I have the optional X-Firewire card on the Rosetta. Looks like the latest Maestro software is X-Firewire card and Snow Leopard compatible. Thanks so much for that heads-up.

[Frodo]

I'm luckier than you know! Didn't even remember (until I just looked) that I have the optional X-Firewire card on the Rosetta. Looks like the latest Maestro software is X-Firewire card and Snow Leopard compatible. Thanks so much for that heads-up.

It's been a long time since I've seen someone walk between the raindrops in a single day the way you have!! It's encouraging.

[anapena]

I've had 828 Mk1 a few years, got it cheap back then. It does everything I need with my DP's. It's robust, maybe ugly, but I kind of like it. I have different kind of preamps for multitracking. I have opened and cleaned it once, tightened the screws of the transformer, it made the occasional humming less. I will use this unit until it dies...

[Shooshie]

Wow. You guys are making my head spin around my pocketbook. Getting dizzy here!!!

Shoosh

[HCMarkus]

Avoiding dizzyness, I like my 828mkII just fine. Using a Presonus Digimax FS as my front end, and it sounds great. Big bang for the buck. I may go to a mkIII in the future (for 8 more I/O), or a PCIe solution if MOTU ever updates their PCI boxes.