Audio Interface recommendations and advice please.

[treesbygb]

Hi,
I've been reading the threads and reviews on Audio Interfaces and would liketo tap into your collective experience please!
I'm looking to upgrade my current audio interface which is an edirol UA25 ex. I don't need loads of inputs as I generally record one thing at a time and this isn't going to change! I want to improve the sound quality of my recordings as well as have a certain amount of control features on the interface itself. The problem I'm experiencing with my current set up is that often the singer can't hear themselves very clearly in the headphones even though the direct out volume is up full, also if they ask for some reverb on the vocals I can't do it, I can add it to the recorded track, but not to the live one. I don't know too much about compression, the UA25 has a built in compressor but I don't tend to use it.

Finally, there are a lot of MOTU 828 for sale on ebay at the moment, they have too many inputs but the price is right! I don't want to pay for loads of inputs that won't get used, but I might have to have that, to get the other things I want. Oh, and can a rack mounted thing, just sit on my desk, or does it need to be fixed to something t isolate it. I guess I've got $300 to spend.

Sorry, for the long winded questions. I appreciate you reading this and thank you in advance for any answers.
Gary

[Kolstad]

I suggest a TC Electronic Impact Twin http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ImpactTwin

It's a little over your budget, but the preamps you'll get here are the best you can get on native, at least equally rivals the RME Firefaces, which is a tad more pricey.

I love this interface, it's highly versatile, great dsp (the compressor is nice analog sounding), and very functional with a tuner ect.

Here's a Utube test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oeq7taTvh1I

One little twist with TC Electronic gear though, you need to have a Firewire 1394 from Texas Instruments (TI were the ones that originally made Firewire for Mac's). If you don't have that on your system, the drivers may cause you problems, and you should get something else.

[Ellwood]

Mackie Onyx http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... Blackbird/ great mic pre's flawless operation on Windows/Mac

[treesbygb]

Thanks guys,
as usual I'm tempted beyond my budget! The Mackie onyx, might just be a little too expensive, though I read the very long discussion on the string forum, with some guy setting up his studio and there was a lot of in depth talk about the Audio interfaces and The Mackie got the thumbs up. However I'm not clear about the controls....

The Impact twin, seems to be just what I'm after, high quality, with all the controls I need, reverb, volume ratio between track and vocal. However I don't really understand the firewire1394 issue. Is this a physical cable I need, or some driver software, or a specific port on my computer. How do I find out if I've got it? I use a P.C running Cakealk Home studio 7 XL, it's a fairly modern P.C, less than a year old.
Cheers
Gary

[Kolstad]

Firewire is a bus technology like USB, it just can transfer way more information (than USB 2.0, anyway).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_1394

Here are some specific audio links:
http://www.podcomplex.com/blog/is-a-ti- ... -audio-pc/
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-co ... psets.html
http://forum.recordingreview.com/f66/ti ... ion-25965/

Chances are that you already have it (especially if you have a MAC), if you have a Firewire port and your computer brand uses a motherboard compatible with the TI chipset, but ask the dealer where you got it, if the Firewire is from Texas Instruments. It HAS to be with TC Electronics, as many have experienced endless driver and comptibility problems if they didn't.

If it's not on your system, it is possible to get this firewire to USB adapter with a TI chipset: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003 ... LZKUUT30A0 (haven't tried it myself, but it reportedly works well).

The TC interface is definitely worth it!

[treesbygb]

Thanks for that, I had no idea of this issue. I'll find out.
Cheers
Gary

[treesbygb]

Hi Magne,
I'm working in France at the moment and my computer is in the UK, but I managed to research the spec. and I was surprised to find out that it doesn't have a firewire port at all! I was probably trying to save a few quid, what was I thinking! So to clarify, you posted a link for a firewire to USB adaptor for sale on Amazon. So the firewire plugs in that and it in turn plugs into my usb port? Also it's made by Texas Instruments so will be compatible with the Twin Impact? If that's all correct I'll probably go for that.
Thanks for your advice.
Gary

[Kolstad]

I can't advice you to do that, as I have no experience that it really works. I had my daw computer built specificallt for the purpose and put a TI firewire port in it, and it works flawlessly with the Twin Impact. All I can do is to lead your attention to this adapter, which IS made by TI, and assume the logic; IF the adapter works as they say, it should work with this interface. But I have no certain way of knowing. I plan on getting the adapter with the TI chipsset for my laptop, though, trying the same thing. Theoretically, it should work, and if it does, the Twin Impact is awesome!

[Mark Kaufman]

It's also easy to add firewire ports to your PC, like this one: http://store.on2tech.com/tifi31coca.html

They just plug into an open spot in the back of your computer, then you won't have to use up another USB port just to adapt to firewire. It does involve opening up your computer box, but then it just plugs right in and you're done.

[treesbygb]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help and expertise. Mark, that certainly looks like the way forward. I've installed stuff in computers before so no problems with slotting that in, and it's relatively cheap. Magne, have you got any songs that were recorded using the impact twin I can hear, especially acoustic guitar and vocals?
Thanks again.
Gary