Is the DSP worth it or should I save money and go without it?
Edit : might as well ask for any opinion for a mid-level interface
Edit : might as well ask for any opinion for a mid-level interface
Focusrite Saffire owners
- Thread starter P-E
- Start date
guitarguru777
Member
guitarguru777
Member
Honestly you are really not "settling" with the pro 40. For the cas you can beat it. The coverters blow away the only Digidesign stuff, and until you get into Apogee or RME there isn't much better.
TheDriller
Member
Focusrite Saffire series is awesome.
The DSP thing isn't really that big a deal,
Sure it's cool and all but you'll easily live without it.
And to back guru, the saffire pres and converters blow the competitors out of the water (in that price range at least)
The DSP thing isn't really that big a deal,
Sure it's cool and all but you'll easily live without it.
And to back guru, the saffire pres and converters blow the competitors out of the water (in that price range at least)
Yeah, settling might not have been the best word choice haha. Anyway, I wondered also about mid-priced monitors, but considering I currently mix in this place (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1149356/room.png - yeah, laugh all you want haha), I don't think monitors are a wise improvement. I guess I'll just buy this an a SM7B and wait to move at some place else for the monitors.
What do you guys think?
What do you guys think?
guitarguru777
Member
Even these would be a HUGE improvement over the speakers you have there. There is no way you will be able to get any kind of quality mix on those speakers you have.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioAV30.html
You are better off saving the SM7b for later and starting out with a 57. Its a multi purpose mic that does vox, guitars, toms, and snare equally well.
For the same price as the SM7 you could get a set of monitors and a SM57. Honestly if you REALLY want to get into a mid level setup then I would suggest looking for a used pair of KRK monitors. I have seen them here on craigslist for as low as $200 for a pair.
Good monitoring will make the most improvement in your mixes next to room treatment.
As a reference:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KRK-RP-5-RP5-Ro...361?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2564394369
And you can pick up a 57 for $99.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioAV30.html
You are better off saving the SM7b for later and starting out with a 57. Its a multi purpose mic that does vox, guitars, toms, and snare equally well.
For the same price as the SM7 you could get a set of monitors and a SM57. Honestly if you REALLY want to get into a mid level setup then I would suggest looking for a used pair of KRK monitors. I have seen them here on craigslist for as low as $200 for a pair.
Good monitoring will make the most improvement in your mixes next to room treatment.
As a reference:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KRK-RP-5-RP5-Ro...361?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2564394369
And you can pick up a 57 for $99.
Fox Mulder
The Truth Is Out There
I've heard somewhere that unlike most interfaces that require a Texas Instruments Firewire chipset Focusrite requires a VIA Firewire chipset. Don't take my word for it though. I'd check the specifications. I'm sure you've done that too.
My 2 cents: PCI-E based firewire cards operate on the south-bridge part of the motherboard - too much clutter there (gpu, network card, blah, blah) while built-in firewire chipsets operate on the north-bridge (free of clutter, smooth).
Edit: You once told me you had a Profire2626, that's why I was just wondering.
My 2 cents: PCI-E based firewire cards operate on the south-bridge part of the motherboard - too much clutter there (gpu, network card, blah, blah) while built-in firewire chipsets operate on the north-bridge (free of clutter, smooth).
Edit: You once told me you had a Profire2626, that's why I was just wondering.
I've already got a SM57, it's what I mainly use to record heavy vocals. I also use 2 Studio Projects B1 for acoustic and clean singing, not the best LDC's ever but FWIR they were some of the best budget LDC's.
Here's a mix I did, http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1149356/Heavyweight Division - Track 7 premix 3.mp3 and here's another one, http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1149356/Slice The Cake ft P-E - Squander (quiet master).mp3. I think they're at least acceptable (the vocal processing on the second one is so-so, but I don't think my speakers are to blame).
I'd like to know what you think of the mixes.
You must have made a mistake, all I've got for now is a E-MU 0404 USB and a Toneport (that doesn't get much use due to BSOD issues) and I'm not really one to lie about my gear or anything.
Thanks for everybody's help by the way, I really appreciate it.
(By the way, Focusrite say " We would recommend using either a Texas Instruments or a VIA FireWire chipset to avoid any such issues.", just in case one wanted to know)
guitarguru777
Member
Hig end is a bit annoying on both, which tends to be the problem when you mix on PC speakers along with too much low end, but your low end is solid. They are not hoprrible by any means but I really feel monitors would do you more justice.
Thanks Guru, considering I don't live off my mixes, I think I'll wait a bit more and save and buy a pair of HS50M at some point down the road. My reasoning behind this is that the interface will be a considerable improvement that will last for long, just like the mic, and while the monitors would be too, they'd be crippled by the room.
Usually for referencing high-end and low-end (I'm really glad you thought it was solid though) I used my friend's ATH-M50 (didn't on those two latest mixes), I think I should just buy a pair of those headphones before spending more money on monitors. I'm not really aiming for a fair mid-level setup at the moment, but rather aiming for a good mid-level prosumer setup for in about two years (when I finish college) which I'll be slowly building in the meantime.
I guess I'll just work my ass off this summer and see what I can buy with the money I make, and what would be the best long-term investment. Thanks again to everybody, I guess the topic's closed for now.
Usually for referencing high-end and low-end (I'm really glad you thought it was solid though) I used my friend's ATH-M50 (didn't on those two latest mixes), I think I should just buy a pair of those headphones before spending more money on monitors. I'm not really aiming for a fair mid-level setup at the moment, but rather aiming for a good mid-level prosumer setup for in about two years (when I finish college) which I'll be slowly building in the meantime.
I guess I'll just work my ass off this summer and see what I can buy with the money I make, and what would be the best long-term investment. Thanks again to everybody, I guess the topic's closed for now.
Fox Mulder
The Truth Is Out There
Oh sorry dude. It wasn't you, someone else. Forgot his name. He's into a lot of doom/drone stuff. Changed his nick or something? Been outta touch with the forum lately so can't be too sure about that either.
*If you're reading this dude, no offense. I'm really bad at remembering names*
Thanks for the Focusrite firewire chipset info. I've been thinking about getting one myself, but this TI vs VIA thing got me all confused.
And seriously dude, take a chill-pill. I never accused you of lying about your gear.
Oh don't worry man, I was just saying this cause some people here have a history of saying they own something they don't. 
Might be Gareth? IIRC he owns a M-Audio interface.
Might be Gareth? IIRC he owns a M-Audio interface.
Fox Mulder
The Truth Is Out There
Yup that's him. You, Diego and him are the only UM guys I have on MSN so I kinda got confused. I hardly come online these days. Got into Marketing undergrad and developed an OCD towards guitar theory and chop building.
Oh don't worry man, I was just saying this cause some people here have a history of saying they own something they don't.
The MOAR SSL scenario was hilarious.
Felt really sorry for the dude. Hope you're doing great. See you around!
guitarguru777
Member
Yup that's him. You, Diego and him are the only UM guys I have on MSN so I kinda got confused. I hardly come online these days. Got into Marketing undergrad and developed an OCD towards guitar theory and chop building.
[...]
Hope you're doing great. See you around!
Hit me up if you ever get back on MSN man! And yeah Guru, this was aimed more at Nick's older posts (no bad feelings though, the guy's been putting out legit mixes and has got a nice attitude now) than yours, I know you own one.
