Interface For iMac & Digital Performer?

[ernstinen]

Hey Kids,

I'm pretty much convinced I'm going to buy an iMac for Digital Performer and let the ProTools thang rest awhile!

New question: For about $500 or less, what audio interface into the iMac that is compatible with DP?

1. I saw the "Apogee One" at the Taxi Rally which was amazing, but I need something with more ins/outs than that. The "Duet?" Still not enough.

2. The MOTU UltraLite-mks Hybrid? M-Audio ProFire 610? What I need is a minimum 2-In, 8-Out.

3. Sooooo, since I just LOVE great analog boards, I started checking out the Mackie line (my dad just gave me a 1202). I'm anamoured with my Soundcraft 16-channel, and will use it forever and ever (love story? ). But ---

4. Mackie Onyx boards look great to me! A combo analog/digital interface. 12-channel 1220i: $699. 8-channel 820i: $499. Both with Firewire, great EQ and preamps, etc. etc.

What do ya think? There's LOTS of interfaces around $500 (Focusrite etc.), and all I really NEED are TWO nice inputs and 8-12 outputs that can go back into my Soundcraft board if I want, or if I decided it's b.s, then stay in the digital realm.

Thanks in advance,

Ern

[mazz]

I think Mackie with Firewire is a fantastic hybrid solution, particularly if you're building a new system. Just make sure that it can do enough ins and outs at a time to satisfy you. The drivers should be plug and play with Mac OS and DP, it's just Core Audio.

If I were building something new from the ground up, I'd seriously consider the Mackie option, mainly for the analog summing options and the very familiar user interface. Plus you can do all your control room monitor control from it and you can leave certain inputs always connected so they are ready at a moment's notice. You'll get zero latency monitoring and could do multiple headphone mixes using the aux sends, and so on and so forth. You could probably even do a pre-fader insert and send tracks to your Soundcraft via the Mackie. Best of both worlds.

Downside: No automation, although not a big deal because you can do the automation in DP.

There are now Pro Tools drivers for the Mackies as well. They worked it out with Avid so you could actually get the M-powered version of ProTools and run both DP and PT on your Mac. Use DP for composing and switch to PT for the recording/mixing/mastering that you like to do in it. BTW: The mastering plugins that come stock with DP are quite impressive. IMO you can do anything you need to do in DP without ever having to switch on PT unless you absolutely need (or really want) to. Besides, no one will be able to tell when you post the finished product what DAW you used.

HTH,

Mazz

[ernstinen]

Thank you so much, Mazz! I really appreciate your expertise.

So, given that I still have my Soundcraft and Mackie (which really impressed me) that I got from my Dad, would a Mackie Onyx 820i be overkill in the anlaog realm for $499? I doubt it, and I could use the other mixers in some shape or form. As you guys may know, I'm STILL at least 30% analog, and about 70% digital (even though I just sold my Empirical Labs Fatso Jr. --- ) in order to buy a new computer. Makes we want to cry, but what can ya do? The guy that bought the Fatso was SOOOO excited, since he is touring with his electronic music show. I could SEE in his face that he was so amazed as he twirled the dials and pushed the buttons of the Fatso! --- SO sorry to let that go, but it pays for a new iMac. Maybe for a new interface?

Thanks in advance,

Ern

[Len911]

And then there's the Steinberg/Yamaha MR816. It might actually have a few more features than the Mackie.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov08/a ... 816csx.htm

[fullbirdmusic]

Presonus Firewire Studio Project is a great solution. The built-in XMAX preamps sound pretty good too. You can make 10 submixes and still have your master outputs. The interface is about $500 new nowadays.

[mazz]

Coming from the analog world for so many years, I continue to keep a control surface with faders at hand, just because I'm able to "feel" the mix more when I'm actually moving faders. I may be quickly becoming a dinosaur, but drawing controllers with a mouse isn't quite as satisfying for me, even though I do it over half the time. Sometimes I just like to "touch" the mix more than one channel at a time. With a mixer, turning knobs and moving faders is a requirement.

You could, however, get an interface with no faders but with several outputs, as some of the ones recommended here have, and wire it into your Soundcraft. You still wouldn't have automation, but at least you'd have the analog fader world coupled with the digital world without buying a new mixer, which might be redundant except for the Firewire capabilities of the Mackie.

You can't go wrong whatever you choose, it's just a matter of taste. And with 500 bucks to spend, you wont get a better analog section than you already have in your Soundcraft, so maybe more features on a digital interface with 2 good preamps and several outputs is a better way to go.

[mojobone]

MOTU or Apogee is my take, since you already have a great analog mixer. Ensemble might be a bit past your budget, though you may be able to find something Apogee on the used market. iMac limits your options a bit; does your (intended) model have 800 FireWire? MOTU has some verra nice rackmount interfaces, too.

[elser]

I love my MOTU Ultralite mk3. I use it on stage and in the studio. It's got lots of I/O, good sounding internal effects, and it's just about indestructible and just 1/2 rack space in size. The Duet is tempting but I don't think it has spdif I/O, a deal killer for me.

[ernstinen]

How about the Lexicon I-Onix line? I liked the idea of the smaller version that sits between your video monitor and keyboard, but what they don't tell you is you have to "pick it up every time you want to plug or unplug something." Not so sleek, after all!

I sure like the idea and specs of this baby:

http://www.lexiconpro.com/product.php?id=150

Sure, $699, but with an iMac, wouldn't that be a great combo? But we're gettin' into $2000 territory.

BTW, I recently bought a Lexicon MX200 rack reverb/effects unit, and just LOVE it! The quality is amazing.

Thanks for your ideas!

Ern

[ernstinen]

MOTU or Apogee is my take, since you already have a great analog mixer. Ensemble might be a bit past your budget, though you may be able to find something Apogee on the used market. iMac limits your options a bit; does your (intended) model have 800 FireWire? MOTU has some verra nice rackmount interfaces, too.

FOFLMAO (first "F" is "Fall" ). Yup, that "Ensemble" looks like a winner, Mojo! Whew, that, a Mac Pro, and about $5 grand and I'm good to go!

Well, I'm uppin' the ante to $2000 MAX. I realize I need a great interface into the Mac. But, realistically, I RARELY record more than 2 audio tracks at one time (to complement maybe 80+ sequenced tracks). I MOSTLY sequence in Digital Performer; actually recording audio into DP & syncing tracks up with Midi tracks will be a new learning curve for me. I'm a dinosaur, and have always used an 8-track w/SMPTE, whether it was an old Tascam reel-to-reel, or an ADAT. New territory, but "New" is my middle name! AND, I still have PT as an option.

BUT, I'm trying to run (once again!) about 90 channels of Midi. THAT is my main objective, to do orchestral stuff. My VisionDAW for EW Gold easily runs 64 channels; GigaStudio PC: 16 channels; Emu6400: 16 channels; Roland JV-90 orchestral: 16 channels; Proteus 1&2: 32 channels; Prophet 600: 1 channel! ---- Sooo, we're potentially talking about MAX 128 Midi channels (The Proteuii are on the shelf, for the most part! --- Still great oboes and flutes, though!).

Ya never know, though when I'll play "George Martin" and market myself back in the pop/rock world as the Martin's protege' living in L.A.! Live strings, horns, harps you name it! May be sooner than later ----

Ern