New Audio Interface

[ReliXKeepeR]

Hi guys!
I'm on the market for new audio interface for my new Cubase 4 (with Windows).
What is your advice for Best FireWire Audio Interface for the price range 500-600$ or a little bit more?

I need solid-low latency and timing. I'm using software amp simulators for tracking mostly.....
I need to be sure that it will work with Cubase 4 without any drivers problems...

Here are some of the possible cards, but what are going to be your advices?


http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Firewire1814
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UltraLite/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Firepod/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/8pre/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Firewire1814/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MBox2Pro/


Thanks in advance!

 

[Jaymz]

Im loving the look of the MOTU 8pre, I was thinking about that myself if I get a new interface in future.

 

[ReliXKeepeR]

My two favourites are the PreSonus Firepod and the M-Audio FireWire 1814. Can somebody here compare the quality of the preamps between the MOTU 8pre, PreSonus Firepod and the M-Audio FireWire 1814?

 

[Unavailable]

Ok, a couple things I noticed about the Firepod and the 1814 when comparing them.

A) The 1814 has a higher microphone input impedance at 1.8k Ohms, meaning dynamic microphones like the SM-57 won't get along with it as well as it will with the Firepod. However, the Firepod is only down at 1.3k Ohms, which is still not preferable for your SM-57 or similar microphones. However, according to Oz, condensor microphones love high impedance, so I would judge this on whether you will be using more condensor microphones or more dynamic microphones.

B) The 1814 has a lower instrument input impedance than the Firepod at 500k Ohms vs. 1M Ohms, which, according to Oz, isn't preferable when reamping, but I'm guessing it applies to recording the instrument inputs as well.

I haven't been able to find any of this information for the MOTU 8pre, and until I found some, I would buy the Firepod before I bought the 1814. Fortunately, I already have a Firepod. Never had a problem with it.

 

[JeffTD]

Duuude get the firepod and that free HP4!

 

[ReliXKeepeR]

Unavailable, thank you very much for this information!
But really, 1.3k Ohms is still a little bit high, but I guess I'm going for the Pod. Anyone else here?

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

I struggled with the same options, and in the end I was left with Firepod or 8Pre. The Motu had some really nice features (meters on front panel, adat i/o, sleek looks ), but it's lack of outputs seemed too restrictive. And yet there are many Firepod owners on this forum, so at least I won't be alone I should get my Firepod sometime this week, but since I'm off to a summer fest tomorrow (four days of booze-o-rama, Chimaira, Lamb of God, As I lay dying etc ) I can't pick it up before monday :/

 

[2012]

I think you should spend a little more coin and get the Focusrite Saffire Pro 26. It would be a better investment in the long run.

 

[ReliXKeepeR]

Thought bout that, but it's a little bit out of my budget right now.

 

[Jaymz]

What outputs is the 8pre missing?

 

[Zorran]

tc konnect 8? m audio 1814?

 

[Melodeath]

Have you checked out the Alesis io|26?

 

[ReliXKeepeR]

Have you checked out the Alesis io|26?

Nope.
This one looks great too. I'll think about it.

So now it's between MOTU 8pre, PreSonus Firepod and the M-Audio FireWire 1814 and the Alesis 26.
Thanks for your help, guys!

Other opinions?

 

[greyskull]

buy my echo layla off me!