RME Card

[mazz]

Everything is in the same room and noise is not as much of an issue as heat, it gets pretty warm in there. Sometimes I leave the computers on for days at a time since it can take a while for everything to load up and as a result it can drive the room temp up. I open the window to let in the nice cool SF breeze but it also lets in the city noise which can drown out the computer fans anyway. A bedroom studio is not ideal no matter how you slice it but since I rarely do acoustic recording, it's not been an issue. I've learned to "mix around" the ambient noises and my mixes come out pretty good so it's working so far. The expense and size of isolation boxes has made me balk at buying one. I'm in the market for a good chair, though. Given how much time I'm spending in the studio, that's a much higher priority for me right now!Mazz

[nickbatzdorf]

Noise is an issue for me with just one computer. I have all my machines behind a trap door on the other side of a wall, and couldn't live with them in here. Having that trap door put in over ten years ago was the best $100 I ever spent. With two hard drives I was literally getting a headache.Also, I have no intention of ever buying another expensive computer card if I can possibly help it. Apple changes the format every couple of years, and it's just not worth it. While I have a MOTU PCI-424 card that I use for the digital outs of my four Windows slave machines, my main interfaces have been FireWire for a couple of years, and they work very well. (I use the interfaces in an aggregate device, i.e. the OS seems them as one big interface.)

[mazz]

Nick,A couple of questions while I have your attention 1. How far away are the computers behind the trap door in relationship to the monitors and how do you handle it? I've seen video extenders but they seemed to be more than 100 bucks.2. Are there any Firewire interfaces out there that have 24 channels of ADAT I/O?I use a PCI 424 card as well on my Mac and it works great. I plan on having this Vision DAW slave for a few years and don't mind putting a PCI card in it but if I ever get another PC or convert my G5 to a slave (8 core MacPro, 8 core MacPro...... ) I would consider a FW interface if it had plenty of ADAT I/O.At this point I do very little live mic recording and I have a perfectly adequate mic pre with digital outs so my MOTU boxes are perfectly capable of handling that aspect.Thanks for replying.Mazz

[nickbatzdorf]

Note that I said *expensive* PCI cards. I have Frontier Designs Wavecenter cards in all my Windows slaves, and I wouldn't be averse to spending a little more for RME cards. It's really Macs I'm talking about. So far Apple has had NuBus, PCI, 3 and 5v PCI, PCI on G5s, PCI-X, and PCI express. Every time some cards got left behind, and it's freaking ridiculous.1. The door is about 5' away from me and the computers are on a shelf just on the other side, but the cords all run about 12' through a hole I drilled just above the floor. You're right, I had to buy a Gefen box to extend the dual-link DVI (DVI-D) cable to my desk, and it was very expensive (that's a whole side story I'll get into if you have a 30" monitor - a luxury but one that's really worth it). Before I had this monitor (Apple 30" Cinema Display) I just ran a good quality DVI cable, and it worked fine.2. There are two: the M-Audio Profire Lightbridge ($400 street) has 4x8-channlel lightpipe I/O, and I believe the Presonus competitor is out now. I have a PFL and it works fine, plus it can run Pro Tools M-Powered software if you want to spend another $300 for it. It's also the least expensive FireWire interface with even one 8-channel lightpipe, which makes it OTT for some applications but still a useful box.

[mazz]

Nick,I had an Alesis FW box here for a minute that had ADAT I/O (only 8 channels) and I think it was less than 400. I took it back because all my hard drives were eating up the FW buss bandwidth and I was getting audio dropouts on the Alesis. I bought a used 2408 MK2 from a friend because I found out I could run 4 MOTU boxes off of the 424 card and it is working fine. I have 2 2408s, a 24i and a 308. That 30 inch monitor sounds great! I'll stick with my setup for now, though, because I really want to pull the trigger on that 8 core mac! (drool_) Maybe I should start a magazine so I can be as rich as you!! Cheers!!Mazz

[nickbatzdorf]

Mazz, you don't want to be as rich as me.

[kouly]

Mazz, The RME Fireface 800 has 2 FireWire 800 ports as well as 1 FW400 port. Has 28 in and 28 out with the ADAT. Four very good pre amps and it only takes up one space in a rack unit. I was very impressed with the Matrix and the Mixer that comes with it, allows any input to be routed to any or all outs! Mine has been rock solid. It is a bit on the pricey side (about 1500 USD)but in this case, you get what you pay for.

[ernstinen]

Mazz, me lad,I've heard only good things about RME cards. I've got a Vision 'puter meself, and those guys are great.AudioMidi is about 2 miles from where I live, and I've been to their warehouse many times. --- Tell ya what: Send me the $$ for the card and I'll pick it up for you! Ern

[mazz]

I bet you would, Ern, I bet you would!! Mazz

[tinozigzag]

Mazz, good decision,RME best audio cards in the world.