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Dig into the preamps sooner rather than later. The emulations are fantastic. Just set them to the 1073 or an API preset and forget them if you don't feel like loving with it. The Octopre is probably a fine choice and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one even though I have limited personal experience with the unit. That being said, you might want to consider a different manufacturer. You already have a bunch of focusrite pres and a little variety probably won't hurt. The big caveat is if you can find anything that's as nice as the Octopre for that money. I would imagine that it's a difficult proposition. Rivensbitch might know if there's a good Mackie option. Pres in this price range are all going to be aiming for the most neutral sound possible so it might not even be a valid concern. Just something to consider.
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| # ? Nov 13, 2011 23:39 |
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| # ? May 19, 2013 03:28 |
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wixard posted:How do you still call something well-built when you got 2 of them back to back that are broken? It's fair point, by this I meant the case is all metal and the hardware generally feels very sturdy unlike some other interfaces I've looked at. It's an interesting point you raise about the upgrades, however I simply don't have the room to have a dedicated audio machine and would like to be able to use my one good laptop on the odd occasion when I do a bit of recording. wixard posted:some of them are in Windows 7 I should also mention I stuck a fresh bootcamp install of windows 7 on my laptop to see if that was the problem, and the interface synced more reliably but running midi and audio at the same time had the same result of the interface crashing, and the buzz on the two high channels was still there. turbotcharger fucked around with this message at Nov 16, 2011 around 09:44 |
| # ? Nov 16, 2011 09:40 |
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Does a good audio interface help with getting the computer to cope with lots of vst instruments? For instance, I am composing pieces for orchestra where I have 20+ vst instruments running (say, 20 instances of Miroslav Philharmonik). I can use asio4all at say 2048 samples latency, but it will feel a lot better recording parts at 512 samples latency. The problem with 512 right now, is the computer starts to freak out after trying to play back 10 or so parts while recording a new one (midi recording). Remember, this is all VST stuff, not actually trying to record any live audio. Yet.
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| # ? Nov 16, 2011 22:17 |
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Yes thats generally what they do for you.
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| # ? Nov 17, 2011 07:18 |
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Quincy Smallvoice posted:Yes thats generally what they do for you. No it's not. The audio interface provides more audio/other stuff inputs and outputs. It doesn't provide any extra processing power for running VSTs or other software.
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| # ? Nov 17, 2011 18:15 |
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he asked about recording with lower latency - and a better soundcard will do this. I hope you're not gonna dispute that?
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| # ? Nov 17, 2011 18:25 |
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It all depends on the drivers. Generally a better interface will have ASIO drivers which will lower the latency. It would help, but it's not going to fix your problem. You should be freezing the tracks that you aren't working on if your DAW supports it. Otherwise just sub in less machine intensive (GM) plugins for those parts until it's time to mixdown. There are other things you can do too, like load the samples in ram or move them around on different hard drives if your computer has enough balls. But you'd only do that if the bottleneck was at your hard drive. I'd guess that you're stressing your system and it might be time for an upgrade or change in workflow habits.
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| # ? Nov 17, 2011 19:21 |
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quote:he asked about recording with lower latency - and a better soundcard will do this. I hope you're not gonna dispute that? dcgrp, what are your system specs? You'd probably get more benefit from a CPU/RAM upgrade than an interface, but I still recommend an interface made for music production for what you're doing. As muckswirler mentioned, freezing your existing tracks (temporarily bounces them to audio, which is less CPU intensive than real time VST processing) before recording should let you playback more tracks before you start experiencing problems.
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| # ? Nov 17, 2011 20:49 |
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dcgrp posted:Does a good audio interface help with getting the computer to cope with lots of vst instruments? For instance, I am composing pieces for orchestra where I have 20+ vst instruments running (say, 20 instances of Miroslav Philharmonik). This is might not be what you want since it can limit you somewhat but if you just freeze the tracks you're not working on at the time it will save you on CPU, which as others have pointed out is probably your problem. E: gently caress sorry thought this was the ableton thread. Don't know if this is applicable to you.
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| # ? Nov 18, 2011 00:01 |
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Using a better soundcard (real ASIO drivers) with more buffers (higher latency) is actually very effective trick in improving general performance of VST stuff. e.g. instead of running @ 256 or other very low latency bump it up to 512 or 1024. This is primarily related to i/o applications and less so CPU-- haven't really tested to see how much benefit for CPU-bound applications e.g. virtual synths. In my case running Hollywood Strings and Hollywood Brass and other sample-heavy (streaming) I get a lot of benefit increasing buffers once track count gets high. Same would apply if you had a lot of audio tracks since these too would be disk i/o limited. But there is definitely a benefit seen once I start piling on the VST effects as well (convolution reverbs, modeled compressors, etc.) Also it's known that ASIO4ALL is sub-par so performance issues with that driver definitely can't be ruled out. Or maybe ASIO4ALL is a fantastic driver that happens to be used with sub-par built-in chipset audio interfaces. But regardless the point stands. A cheap audiophile 2496 will probably allow running more VST instances @ a given latency than an onboard soundcard using ASIO4ALL. If ASIO4ALL works @ 2048 with no glitches a real ASIO driver will probably run it @ 1024. 512 might be a stretch though; expect to have to throw more horsepower (either faster CPU or faster disk depending on what VSTs you're running) to achieve 512 or 256.
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| # ? Nov 18, 2011 16:14 |
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I'm looking for a sound card to replace my Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music, since I'm going to get proper studio monitors and need something with balanced outputs. Everything I look at seems to have far more inputs and outputs than I need. All I'll be hooking up is a MIDI keyboard and monitors. ASIO support would be good for the low latency. I currently don't have Firewire on my motherboard, but a cheapo expansion card (eg. the Manhattan 176996) can be added. Ideally I don't want to spend any more than $200 or so, considering I've got to get monitors and stands too. EDIT: I've done a bit more research, and the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 looks like it might do the trick. Anyone had experience with this? What's the latency like? modeski fucked around with this message at Nov 20, 2011 around 06:09 |
| # ? Nov 20, 2011 05:29 |
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I used to use a 2496 and it is a great little card. The latency will be low enough for what you're describing but the RCA outputs are unbalanced.
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| # ? Nov 20, 2011 18:01 |
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I had one too and it was perfect.
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| # ? Nov 20, 2011 23:26 |
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I still have one plugged into the desktop I rarely use, and the one thing I loved about it was the low latency with soft synths.
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 01:09 |
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I still use my 2496-- it works great on win7 64. I have a FireFace 800 but when working ITB I just use the 2496. The FF only gets used when I need to start hooking up mics / hardware. It works really well and drivers still supported-- kind of surprising for 8+ year old PCI card.
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 02:53 |
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vas0line posted:Picked up a 56 a few months ago for $700 used. Awesome piece of kit. I haven't really gotten into the modeling preamps, but it's still an excellent interface! It's more expensive than you're looking for, unfortunately, but the Octopre Dynamic would be a perfect match for the 56 as you can run those extra preamps at 24/96.
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 04:33 |
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IceLicker posted:I used to use a 2496 and it is a great little card. The latency will be low enough for what you're describing but the RCA outputs are unbalanced. Yeah, I just realised that after doing some more reading today. Is there anything similar but with balanced outputs you would recommend?
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 07:46 |
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DEUCE SLUICE posted:It's more expensive than you're looking for, unfortunately, but the Octopre Dynamic would be a perfect match for the 56 as you can run those extra preamps at 24/96.
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 16:22 |
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The Octopre without the compressors can do 8 channels of 24/96 out, but the Dynamic can do 8 in / 8 out. Might not be a big deal for most people but if you're using outboard or summing it could be.
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 18:20 |
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So my computer speakers crapped out and I impulse bought some M-Audio BX5a's to start building a little home studio I can tinker around in. Didn't realize until after I made the purchase that I'd need more than just my on-board sound! I'm a total noob to the sound card game. I plan to buy a synth this holiday season (still shopping around, but something like the Novation Ultranova or the MicroKORG) and would like to be able to tinker/record some stuff. ANY help/advice is appreciated. Running Win7 64bit, dual core processor (upgrading to Ivy Bridge next year), 6gb RAM, etc.
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 19:07 |
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You don't need to buy a whole new sound card to run those speakers, you just need an 1/8" to stereo XLR cable like this. You'll need an interface when you need some inputs, though.
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 19:46 |
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Thanks for the response. I may get that for the time being, but figured I may as well get the card I know I'll need in the next ~2 months. Reddit pointed me to this page http://www.musiciansfriend.com/audi...&catId=site1YBK but I'm still overwhelmed. I really don't know what I'm looking for or where to begin. I know that by the end of the year I'm going to have a synth, a computer, these monitors, and I want to do some recording. e- would it make more sense to get a mixer and do instrument/voice -> mixer -> audio interface? khysanth fucked around with this message at Nov 21, 2011 around 23:15 |
| # ? Nov 21, 2011 22:24 |
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vas0line posted:Picked up a 56 a few months ago for $700 used. Awesome piece of kit. I haven't really gotten into the modeling preamps, but it's still an excellent interface! The Mackie Onyx BlackBird is essentially an 800R with a firewire interface and software controller 0 latency digital mixer built into it, and it costs $500. It can act as a standalone 8 preamp -> adat converter, and the quality is stellar for the price.
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| # ? Nov 21, 2011 23:20 |
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Musician's Friend has the Tascam US-800 is on sale for $99. It seems like a good deal, but I have no idea how it ranks on the quality scale. You'd still need an adapter or cable for your BX5as though.
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| # ? Nov 22, 2011 00:00 |
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DEUCE SLUICE posted:You don't need to buy a whole new sound card to run those speakers, you just need an 1/8" to stereo XLR cable like this. When you get the interface, consider getting one with XLR outputs for the monitors, and good cables. XLR connections are much higher quality than consumer audio jacks, and you may find that it sounds tons better. Then you can go "check it - XLR hookup"  .
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| # ? Nov 23, 2011 09:07 |
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It's not the quality of the conector that's at issue. XLR connectors are balanced, while the headphone/line out 1/8" jack of a soundcard is not. You're also talking about a +4/-10 style line level professional grade signal, as opposed to a consumer grade, noisy, probably a headphone amp output that could be anywhere on the map in terms of output level.
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| # ? Nov 23, 2011 09:14 |
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Schindler's Fist posted:When you get the interface, consider getting one with XLR outputs for the monitors, and good cables. XLR connections are much higher quality than consumer audio jacks, and you may find that it sounds tons better. Then you can go "check it - XLR hookup" Are XLR outputs better than TRS?
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| # ? Nov 23, 2011 09:29 |
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XLR is just a connector. If a 1/4" jack is balanced, there will be no difference in signal quality between an XLR and 1/4" TRS connection. They both have ground, positive and negative wires. Also, please don't buy expensive cables.
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| # ? Nov 23, 2011 09:45 |
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Splinter posted:XLR is just a connector. If a 1/4" jack is balanced, there will be no difference in signal quality between an XLR and 1/4" TRS connection. They both have ground, positive and negative wires. Also, please don't buy expensive cables. Yeah, don't worry. I'm an audio newbie, but savvy enough not to fall for the equivalent of Monster cables.
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| # ? Nov 23, 2011 10:40 |
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Ever take a monster cable apart and look at it?
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| # ? Nov 23, 2011 16:19 |
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EMU soundcards 50% off till Nov 30. http://us.creative.com/products/wel...sp?category=237 I'd say an $85 1212 makes a good entry level interface. :-)
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| # ? Nov 26, 2011 02:20 |
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mr_package posted:EMU soundcards 50% off till Nov 30. gently caress me, that's a good deal. Wonder if they ship to Oz...
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| # ? Nov 26, 2011 03:06 |
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Holy poo poo this is perfect, I was JUST looking at the 1212m for its ADAT lightpipe out (for use with an Expert Sleepers ES-3 audio to CV interface)
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| # ? Nov 28, 2011 14:49 |
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I need an interface for some home recording of a demo I'm putting together. I figured I'd get one around Christmas time and I have a pretty firm $300 budget. It seems like the Sapphire Pro 24 is a popular choice here. Is there anything else I should look at? What about the Presonus FireStudio Mobile? I'll be recording on a mac pro, firewire support, garageband, etc.
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| # ? Dec 2, 2011 00:08 |
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Scarf posted:I need an interface for some home recording of a demo I'm putting together. I figured I'd get one around Christmas time and I have a pretty firm $300 budget. It seems like the Sapphire Pro 24 is a popular choice here. Is there anything else I should look at? What about the Presonus FireStudio Mobile? I like my Firestudio Mobile pretty well.
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| # ? Dec 2, 2011 04:48 |
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Scarf posted:I need an interface for some home recording of a demo I'm putting together. I figured I'd get one around Christmas time and I have a pretty firm $300 budget. It seems like the Sapphire Pro 24 is a popular choice here. Is there anything else I should look at? What about the Presonus FireStudio Mobile? I like my presonus firepod, which is like the same thing as the firestudio, right? Though I got mine from amazon used for $150, so it's pretty hard for me to not like it.
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| # ? Dec 2, 2011 05:41 |
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Does anyone here use Reaper? I'm gradually moving away from Pro Tools for many reasons, but I want to get a sense of how well other interfaces perform with it. Judging from skimming around, 64-bit OS's seem to be a major hurdle.
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| # ? Dec 2, 2011 07:37 |
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burritonegro posted:Does anyone here use Reaper? I'm gradually moving away from Pro Tools for many reasons, but I want to get a sense of how well other interfaces perform with it. Judging from skimming around, 64-bit OS's seem to be a major hurdle. I tried using it and I really, really liked it, but crashes with Kontakt forced me to abandon it. If it works for you, however, I'd highly recommend it.
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| # ? Dec 2, 2011 07:45 |
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I use Reaper with a TC Impact Twin. No issues from version 3 until now. The user forums are very well populated. If there's any particular interface that has recurring issues in Reaper, you can find out about it there. My general sense is that people are using a lot of machines and interfaces in various combinations and very few of them have recurring bugs.
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| # ? Dec 3, 2011 01:44 |
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| # ? May 19, 2013 03:28 |
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I use Reaper with Kontakt all the time, and I never have any crashing issues with it. I do see stuck MIDI events sometimes, especially on the more complex projects, but I've mostly tried to get better at freezing things down. I swap between built-in audio and a TC Desktop Konnect 6, and Reaper seems to be fine with it. I'm on Win7 64-bit, and I generally run Reaper 64-bit as well; better performance, but when you need to run 32-bit VST plugins it has to bridge them, and they load in a separate popup window.
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| # ? Dec 4, 2011 03:21 |
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