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I'm going to be upgrading to a new interface and I am not sure if I should go with the 828mkII or the 896HD. I will couple either of these systems with the Mackie Big Knob.

Currently, I am doing very little out of the box recording except for a vocal but I am looking into getting more external gear such as high end mic pre's, compressors, mics and maybe a synth by the end of the year. My system is home based and will not be travelling.

Does anyone have any thoughts they would like to share regarding positive or negative experiences with either of these two interfaces? Does anyone use the "Big Knob"?

Thanks

I use a Tascam FW-1804. Works really well. Decent pres. Lots of I/O functionality. Less expensive than an 828mkII -- or even an UltraLite.

I've since added (months later) a Rosetta to clock and A/D.

If I were looking into this interface/clock/A/D stuff now, I'd seriously consider the RME Fireface or the upcoming Apogee Ensemble.

Hmmm... I looked into the Tascam rack briefly before. Can you insert your own compressors and pres? Not sure...

I was also just referred to the Mackie Onyx by a friend. How doe we feel about that over here at Unicornation?

I broke down a few set-ups I'm entertaining right now. If you all can tell me which you would be happy to work with and or why, I would totally appreciate it.

1 - 828MKII, BIG KNOB, URS A SERIES PLUGN, UAD PLATE 140
2 - 896HD, BIG KNOB, URS A SERIES PLUGIN
3 - MACKIE ONYX 1640, FIREWIRE OPTION
4 - MACKIE ONYX 1620, FIREWIRE OPTION, URS A SERIES PLUGIN, UAD PLATE 140

Any ideas? Who hates what? Any of these packages worth some drool? I'm looking to pump up with some quality but cannot afford to spend more then $1600 - $1700.

828mkii and a Mackie 1202 VLZ. I am thinking of getting a better pre.

paradeatw wrote:I'm going to be upgrading to a new interface and I am not sure if I should go with the 828mkII or the 896HD.

To complicate matters I have heard good things about these mods for those interfaces:

http://www.blacklionaudio.com/motu_firewire_mod.html

audio demos here:

http://www.blacklionaudio.com/audio.html

emulatorloo wrote:

paradeatw wrote:I'm going to be upgrading to a new interface and I am not sure if I should go with the 828mkII or the 896HD.

To complicate matters I have heard good things about these mods for those interfaces:

http://www.blacklionaudio.com/motu_firewire_mod.html

audio demos here:

http://www.blacklionaudio.com/audio.html

Wow... That's kinda neat man. I just spoke to another friend of mine and he said to totally go MOTU as a friend of his uses it for his production and he heard that Madonna used it for her preproduction... I guess MOTU just kicks ass all around? lol

Thanks fo ryour help guys... But, if you all still have more comments or would like to share your experiences with any of the above gear listed, please do so...

shanabit wrote:828 has 2 mic pres and 896 has 8. How many do you need??
828 also has MIDI I/O, 896 does not. 896 will go to 192khz sample rate , 828 tops out at 96khz

I use the 828MKII and had to send it back in to get the LCD fixed.
Overall it sounds better than my DIGI 002 rack IMO.

896 is about 250 more than 828 as well

Wow! That's it... I didn't realize the 896 didnt have MIDI i/o... Kinda need that I can get away with 2 mic pre's easily. I am only recording vox live.

Thanks!

I've got two 828MKIIs for remote recording which work perfectly seperately and together. I don't use the mic pres on them, but for line or dig I/O, they work great. I once used an 896. Didn't see the benefit over the MKIIs unless I was using the mic pres.