VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

ballenberg · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 5:03 pm Post subject: Sound cards?

Not immediately but at some point I'll need to update my recording computers. They run MIA sound cards and they're great. But I see they're no longer made.

I'm guess I'm way behind the curve. What is being used now? Those are great, no super pricey and work every time.

What's the new method/alternative for PC's?

Thanks!

vkuehn · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:29 pm Post subject:

Being a "facts and information" junkie, I look forward to the responses you will get. My contribution to the conversation is: Internal sound cards may well be history... at least the way we use them. The industry seems to be putting their research and energy into the external devices that connect via USB.

On our end... where we sit as users and consumers... I like the safety of being able in a matter of minutes... seconds even, to switch from one computer to another if some kind of illness or glitch affects the computer. My first venture into the external device was a Presonus Audiobox VSL22. After two or three years it began an occasional glitch which required that I shut it down and restart.

I have moved on to an Audient iD22 There are several manufacturers who have boxes in the $450 tol $600 price range. The Audient has "insert jacks" which means if you already own a great preamp and maybe a processor you like as well, bring your preamp output into the Audient through the insert jack, bypass the Audient preamp, and directly into the A-to-D section. But the preamps get good reviews and I am feeding the mic into the internal preamp. Equals... no EXCEEDS my needs.

I can be pretty agnostic on brands for this kind of equipment. I will leave it to others to tell you what they like about other devices they have worked with or are working with.

I am NOT agnostic on the external device vs. internal card issue. I don't ever want to return to my internal sound card.

ballenberg · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:28 pm Post subject:

So, to start to answer my own question, would something like the Focsurite 212 be what I'd need?

And am I correct in understanding that I could use it as I currently use my PCI sound cards, ie, feed it with line level input from my existing pre/compressor combo.. and also have it as backup pre if there's a problem with my current pre..?

Thanks

Bish · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 10:42 pm Post subject:

The 2i2 garnered a lot of love when it came out. I bought one and it served quite well as a basic unit. I bought it as I needed a USB unit to replace the Firewire Apogee Duet I was using with my MacPro. Since then I have replaced it with an iD22... I love the iD22 preamps, i/o capabilities and software routing... I also like the insert points where I can physically bypass the preamps if I want to (the Duet preamps could be bypassed as well).

Since the initial wave, I know of a number of 2i2 failures and also some frustrations where it still has compatibility problems with some other platforms & software. Mine is now my emergency backup unit. For the same money, I really wish I'd bought the Mackie Onyx Blackjack... a basic 2-in 2-out unit that's built like a brick outhouse.
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vkuehn · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 10:53 pm Post subject:

ballenberg · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:14 am Post subject:

Thanks Vern, Bish..

So it sounds like the Mackie unit would be great...and would also work on the road, direct to a laptop, is that right ?

Bish · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 10:41 am Post subject:

Most of the current "compact" 2-in, 2-out USB units will work well on the road. They provide Line/mic inputs, phantom power, are self-powered from the USB port, and have on-board headphone monitoring (i.e. low latency).

While I love the iD22, I certainly wouldn't want to cart it about with me. I actually bought a Shure MVi for the road for it's iPhone/iPad connectivity.... but prior to that I was using the 2i2. There are so many options... if I wanted one single no-frills unit, for $100, the Mackie would serve well. I actually quite like the Onyx preamps... they are quite transparent, and to my mind, the build quality of the Mackie makes it a road-warrior.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

heyguido · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 11:04 am Post subject:

+1 for outboard units. There are many that will do the job just fine. The Mackie, with its Onyx pre's, is a solid suggestion, and, as Bish notes, is built like a tank, not to mention infinitely affordable.

As for being behind the curve, worry not. Fewer distractions that way. Wink

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todd ellis · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 12:59 pm Post subject:

i've been a motu fan forever. i'm still hanging with my motu 896hd --- it has served me well for many years. it's really overkill - but i got a great deal on it at the time. i even pulled it out of the rack once & ran 5 mics through it to record a high school band concert.

less overkill - there is a motu 4pre that seems pretty reasonable.

also, imho, can't go wrong with mackie.
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ballenberg · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 1:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks Todd, Heyguido

sdaeley17 · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 6:27 pm Post subject:

I've tried a number of units, including:

itrack solo- $90
steinberg ur12- $90 (slightly larger than the itrack, but better build quality)
Yamaha AG03- $150 (usb mixer with a slightly noisier pre, but with more features than anything in it's price range, and Whittam-approved!)
Audient ID14- $300 (cleanest, quietest pres of the bunch, great build quality, smaller than most 2 in/ 2 out interfaces, lacks the advanced patching and insert features of the ID22)
Audient ID22- $600 (everything you could want in a preamp/interface, great internal pres, easy to use with external gear, lots of options for patching via hardware or software, it's even ipad compatible!)
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ballenberg · Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:25 am Post subject:

Thanks..this is all great.

heyguido · Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 8:01 am Post subject:

Relax. Enjoy the ride. Inoccent

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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"