Help with Computer Recording??....Echo Layla, E-Mu, etc

[Axemeister]

My 14 year old son is getting pretty creative with recording. He has used a Tascam 8 Track digital, but he dislikes the regimen of recording, coverting, and bouncing etc.

He is telling his old dad that we need to go to computer recording. He has set up and rebuilt an old Pentium computer and over the weekened he used my old Tascam Porta Studio's mixer section as an input to record using the computer sound card. He is pretty adept at this stuff.

He originally lusted for a Delta Audio 1010, but that is out of our price range. He was then trying to push me towards the E-MU 1820, but he has not heard great things about it lately...Now, he just came across a deal on a lightly used Echo Layla.

Anyway, he is dangerous, since he knows much more about this stuff than I do. I would love any suggestions about affordable full featured audio interface gear for computer recording. Suggestions and guidance would be appreciated...."affordable" is a key word here!

[jas]

Affordable, ashmordable!

I had the old 20-bit Layla system. It had 8 analog inputs and 8 analog outputs.

The sound quality was outstanding. Don't let the 20-bit deter you (or, your son may have his eye on the 24-bit) - CD quality is 16-bit.

Virtually any recording software will work with Layla but the drivers for the 20-bit version were getting quite long in the tooth and Echo, Layla's mfgr, stopped supporting the 20-bit version. Again, 24-bit version, no problem.

Both the 20 and 24 bit Laylas are slightly old fashioned in that they are internal circuit cards as opposed to external firewire or USB connected. No problem, just notable.

Once you have Layla and your software, you're ready to go - I'd suggest he make Layla his primary soundcard so that games and system sounds come through it. Next, he should connect 2 outputs of the Layla to a good stereo system.

I am currently running a MOTU 828 mkii and I like it but it is not for an older computer, I don't think. I've heard it doesn't run well on pre-WinXP systems (runs fine on Macs, I hear). It does all that Layla does, is firewire connected and is slightly more versatile and slightly easier to use. But it costs $700-some - about the same as a new Layla, I think.

Your son, being a drummer, will want as many analog inputs as YOU can afford because then he can isolate each drum and adjust its volume, tone and the like - post recording.

You will, of course, steal this from him because there is no greater toy for a guitarist.

Lemme know if I didn't answer something...


-John

[Axemeister]

Thanks John,

You are right about his need for inputs, He uses multiple mics on his kit. I went into his room this morning, and he had a tangled mess of mics and gear all over the place from weekend band practice...I have been telling him that the band needs to buy some of this gear.

I am curious if there are any other suggestions on sound cards and interfaces since that market has opened up quite a bit in the last year or two.

Does anybody have any direct experience with this one: http://shentech.com/emu1820.html

[jas]

You are right about his need for inputs, l (http://shentech.com/emu1820.html)
Yes, he will soon be the age where he'll be requiring multiple inputs. :eek:

-John

[Axemeister]

Yes, he will soon be the age where he'll be requiring multiple inputs. :eek:

-John
I have never lost that need. Like father like son.

[Axemeister]

My son sent me a link to a Motu 2408 Mk II PCI unit. If I can snag it at a good price, this looks like it might cover lots of ground.

The PCI will be right for us. The computer is a Pentium III with enough ram, and we have XP installed, so it looks like it should work.

[jas]

My son sent me a link to a Motu 2408 Mk II PCI unit. If I can snag it at a good price, this looks like it might cover lots of ground.

The PCI will be right for us. The computer is a Pentium III with enough ram, and we have XP installed, so it looks like it should work.
Don...I can only find an MK III. Can you post the link to the MK II???

-John

[Axemeister]

Don...I can only find an MK III. Can you post the link to the MK II???

-JohnThanks John, I can give link to current auction currently at $300...and this unit is local, so I can pick it up if it goes for close to the current price. However, I am now thinking that a PCI set up will make this unusable with a laptop for any future flexibility



http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/s.gif
Mark Of The Unicorn 2408 MKII audio interface in good condition. Original box, cables, manual, PCI-324 card and installation disc all included. Some rack scratches on top and bottom of unit It has been used daily in a non-smoking studio up until this week.

The specs for this hardware/software are as follows:

4 simultaneous inputs and outputs Drivers for Mac and PC Expandable to 72 active inputs/outputs 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs 24-bit analog converters 24-bit internal data path Adjustable buffers and exclusive Cue Mix feature Includes AudioDesk workstation software for Mac Provides word clock, ADAT Sync, and Digital Timepiece Control Track sync Provides standalone format conversion 8 channels of 24-bit analog I/O with balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks 24 channels ADAT optical I/O 24 channels TDIF (Tascam digital) I/O Stereo S/PDIF I/O (with an extra stereo S/PDIF out) 24 simultaneous inputs and outputs Drivers for Mac and PC Expandable to 72 active inputs/outputs 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today's popular audio programs 24-bit analog converters 24-bit internal data path Adjustable buffers and exclusive Cue Mix feature.

Specifications: 105dB S/N ratio (A-weighted) 16, 20 and 24-bit recording at 44.1 or 48 kHz Card (bus) type: PCI Sampling rates (kHz): 44.1, 48 Audio file formats supported: .WAV, AIFF, SDII Simultaneous audio record channels: 24 Simultaneous audio playback channels: 24 Internal audio path (bits): 24 DACs (bits): 24 ADCs (bits): 24 Sync: word clock, ADAT sync MIDI ports: no Full-duplex: yes Dedicated headphone output: yes Hardware: single space rackmount.

[jas]

Thanks John, I can give link to current auction currently at $300...and this unit is local, so I can pick it up if it goes for close to the current price. However, I am now thinking that a PCI set up will make this unusable with a laptop for any future flexibility




Are you sure you don't want a new unit with 8 or more inputs for about $400 more??? :D

(Full disclosure...I am a paid agent for your son)

-John

[Axemeister]

Are you sure you don't want a new unit with 8 or more inputs for about $400 more??? :D

(Full disclosure...I am a paid agent for your son)

-John
My son Charlie loves your input!

We are now looking at this one:

http://www.presonus.com/firepod.html

He has told me that it has lots of great reviews and comes with Cubase.

Hey, this kid of mine just turned 14. I am in big trouble.

[jas]

Now you're talking!

That looks great - I'm sure it will be perfect for your - oooh, sorry - Charlie's needs.

-John

[jas]

P.S. Don, if I'd had this stuff when I was 14, why I coulda...I coulda...I coulda been a contendah. Seriously, can you imagine? Computers, PRS's, recording software, mp3's?

-John

[Axemeister]

P.S. Don, if I'd had this stuff when I was 14, why I coulda...I coulda...I coulda been a contendah. Seriously, can you imagine? Computers, PRS's, recording software, mp3's?

-JohnTechnology, huh? I also think that my son has more of an acumen for this techie stuff than I do. He also has a Dad who is a much bigger spender than I ever had!

When I was 14, I had a $29.95 MIJ no-name guitar, which I plugged into a Vox Essex bass amp that my folks bought from a neighbor after their son left for college. I had a miniature compact tape recorder too...A reel to reel miniature that my dad brought home from work. What tone!

Although, I do have an fine quality 8 track recording of my high school band...I love it when it changes tracks in the middle of a song...Of course, only a small group of us around here got to experience the joys and fidelity of 8 track.


Oops, I hijacked my own thread.

[Axemeister]

Charlie finished mid terms and went to pick up a Presonus Firepod after school.... http://www.presonus.com/firepod.html

We actually returned a Tascam DP-01 FX 8Track Unit and I added some money to get the new unit...

He is now at home adding a firewire card to the computer and setting up the studio. He has a nice life. Huh?

[jas]

That is great! The mic pre-amps will come in very handy if you use condenser mics for vocals and acoustic guitar - or for drums for that matter.

And notice there's an extra firewire input in the back so you could add another unit for 16 total inputs!

Yes, your son is very lucky - does he know his dad is The Assmeister?

-John