2408 Mk 3 + pre's OR Fireface 800?

climber · Post by **climber** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:09 pm

I am looking for a new audio interface to replace the old 828 & go with my 2.7 G5 and DP5. it's for my home studio, doing some drums, vocals, guitars, basses, keyboards, you name it. The Fireface 800 has 4 pre's, the 2408 none. the FF800 will run me about $1450. the 2408 under $1000. if I go for the 2408 I need to buy mic pre's to record. any suggestions for something with 4 pre's where I can get as good a quality as the FF and keep the same price point?

thanks,

gzsound · Post by **gzsound** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:52 am

I think if you are going to be recording a band, drums, etc. You will find that four microphone preamps is not adequate.

If you buy a decent mixer, like a Yamaha, Mackie, Soundcraft and even Behringer, you can use the channel inserts to connect to your 2408 which gives you eight channels of input. You can also sub mix several drum mics to a stereo pair.

Unless you are planning on recording a couple tracks at a time and building your songs that way, four mic pre's are not adequate.

I would buy the 2408 and get a mixer. You can easily grow to 32 channels with the addition of ADAT interfaces. I have a Soundcraft ESS 12 mixer that I use for live recordings and it is very quiet and costs $440.

Just my .02.

climber · Post by **climber** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 1:53 pm

gzsound

thanks for replying. i actually do build songs a part at a time 95% of the time. I also have an older Alesis 1602 (?) that I can use to bring in drums if necessary.

Al

gzsound · Post by **gzsound** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:24 pm

O.K. that makes sense. I was thinking "real" drums, like a drum kit which requires (normally) several mic's.

But since you are building songs track at a time, I probably am not much help. I bought a used 2408 because I have an eight bus board and a couple of ADATS..that gave me up to 32 simultaneous inputs if I really needed it. I use outboard mic preamps and board preamps instead of being stuck with the preamps in my interface.

I am a firm believer in being able to upgrade only that which needs upgrading. With the 2408 I can add front end gear until the cows come home and not have to upgrade the interface itself.

Obscure Object · Post by **Obscure Object** » Sat May 06, 2006 6:50 pm

can i come in? ...
i'm kinda in the same situation as climber so ....
the fireface offers almost the same capabilities of the 2408 ..... only one lightpipe input less .... which in my case would not make a lot of difference .... so the question here is about the sound quality .... obviously the FF800 is superior to motu's firewire interfaces (it's ok, i have a traveller!) .... how do the converters and clock of the FF800 and 2408 compare?? if i buy a 2408 n have it modded, i may as well get the FF800. What do ya think?

edited: I forgot to mention than in both cases i'm assuming i'll use external pre-amps ... although if the preamps on the FF800 are of good quality i can certainly use'em as well.

climber · Post by **climber** » Sun May 07, 2006 3:32 pm

after looking & talking & researching & pricing I opted for the FF800. seemed to do all I wanted & I got it for a very very good price. plus as it is FW800 it should preserve my investment should I upgrade my 2.7 dual to a quad. it should arrive next week & I can't wait. thanks to all for responding.