I'm opening a studio..which audio interface solution?

[::XeS::]

Hi
I'm opening a studio and I have some doubt about the audio interface I could use in the beginning.
Now I own a presonus Firepod. It does the job but it has only 8 in/pre and no adat, so if I want more input/pre I need another Firepod.
Other solution is to buy another interface like Saffire 26pro and an 8 pre module, connected via adat..
Final solution....do the jump....a Digidesign 003 and an 8 pre module.

With the first 2 solution I would use Digital performer or Logic and with the last one, of course, pro tools LE.

Which is the most professional solution in your opinion? I would like to use a Digi hd but it's too much at the moment...overpriced as hell. Probably in the future...I hope

Thaaanks

 

[drew_drummer]

I would recommend Apogee if you can afford it.

 

[Machinated]

I just switched to Logic 8 and its working out great for me - I'd recommend that and Saffire+an 8 channel pre.

 

[Machinated]

I would recommend Apogee if you can afford it.

Was just looking at some Apogee stuff now, looks really sweet. If you can afford it go for it!

Have you seen the comparison charts against Protools?

 

[::XeS::]

Apogee is a little out of budget...expecially now in the beginning.
No I haven't seen the comparison? What is it?
Anyway I thought about digi and protools only for the standard compatibility and for a "more professional" look, you know.

 

[cobrahead1030]

personally i think the firepod is a very usable interface, but i know people here will disagree...how is the rest of your gear looking?

 

[Metaltastic]

Fireface 400 (don't let the size fool you, it has PLENTY of i/o) + Cubase 4!

 

[The Unavoidable]

The Fireface has mostly tele-ins no? And 4 mic pres?

 

[Metaltastic]

Well I don't know what tele-ins are, but the FF800 has 10 analog ins, 4 of which have preamps, whereas the FF400 has 8 analog ins, 2 of which have preamps (the preamps are apparently nothing too special, so IMO it's not worth the extra money for the FF800). The only real advantage of the FF800 IMO is that it has two banks of ADAT ins, whereas the FF400 only has one (so including 2 channels of SPDIF, 18 total inputs on the FF400, 28 on the FF800).

 

[VH100R]

you also have

* M-Audio profire 26. it has 16 ADAT channels. (could always use PT)

* MOTU 896mk3. also 16 ADAT channels.

 

[SoClose]

mackie onyx 1200f looks nice. i use a alesis io26 right now. works nice but for the $ and the amount of pres(12) the mackie is killer. it also comes with a 4mix headphone amp. switchable outs.... etc etc...

 

[SoClose]

oh and logic is the way to go imho.

 

[Metaltastic]

I've never used Logic, so this is a genuine inquiry rather than an attempt to be provocative, but why would anyone use Logic over Cubase, when you're much more likely to find software available for the VST standard rather than AU?

 

[Machinated]

I've never used Logic, so this is a genuine inquiry rather than an attempt to be provocative, but why would anyone use Logic over Cubase, when you're much more likely to find software available for the VST standard rather than AU?

Never had a problem with not finding plugs I wanted in AU.....AU is really common man.

 

[AdamWathan]

mackie onyx 1200f looks nice. i use a alesis io26 right now. works nice but for the $ and the amount of pres(12) the mackie is killer. it also comes with a 4mix headphone amp. switchable outs.... etc etc...

I fucking love my Onyx 1200F. Thing is a BEAST.

 

[LSD-Studio]

I'm using the RME ADI-8 (besides my Apogee) and really liking it.

can't go wrong with the ADI8 IMO

 

[seditz740novaprospect]

3firepods and apogee ad16 and a bunch of outboard pres at home

 

[GarethSE]

I seem to be the only person that doesn't like Logic.
College has Logic 8, can't fucking stand it.
Just too set in my ways aha.
Not heard anything bad about firepod's though. There anything particularly bad about them? Cos I'm looking at getting one soon.

 

[seditz740novaprospect]

I seem to be the only person that doesn't like Logic.
College has Logic 8, can't fucking stand it.
Just too set in my ways aha.
Not heard anything bad about firepod's though. There anything particularly bad about them? Cos I'm looking at getting one soon.

the analog conversion on them sucks,noisy psu but upgradable . the preamps are marginal,very noisy at high gains, very little headroom, . there pre's are kinda stale and lifeless imo..but dont let that fool you you can get professional results with it if you know what you are doing ....spdif is disabled if you have more than one chained together.which i hated when i got my api a2d and had the 2 others connected. Not to mention there firewire chipset troubles with xp laptops..... i have 3 of them but prefer to pass on them if i can and use external pres and the apogee, or pthd . There are better more expandable options for almost the same money.... m audio profire 2626, rme 400, tc elec interfaces..bla modded 002........mackie has a few selections for under 1000

 

[Metaltastic]

The Mackie Onyx 400F looks fucking awesome, and would be perfect IF it had ADAT; the absense of it is totally inexcusable at that price range IMO.