Looking for ideas on a good firewire interface for PC

[Phil Macino]

What are your guys' and gals' experiences? This weekend I was looking at both offerings from Motu (828 mkII), Presonus, and Aardvark (Q10). I have some good tube'd mic pre's with good DAC's and 24/96 outboard via both SPDIF & Optical...

I have to be honest and say that I did try the Protools stuff, but it just didn't feel seemless on PC like I'm sure it does on Mac....I just missed the ability to "right-click" :D

[Andrew]

I would recommend checking out the M-Audio FireWire 410 or Audiophile. If you need just a recording interface, the 410 will do you right. If you need a MIDI inteface to go with it, the Audiophile is your best bet.

I have the M-Audio USB MobilePre and I am very happy with the performance and sound quality. The zero-latency monitoring actually works, the preamps sound great, and it works seamlessly with all of my software.

I owned the MOTU 828mkII and loved it, but I sold it because it was way more than I needed.

[cyclops]

Phil,
Which program are you using? Do you need (or want) a control surface?

The FW-1884 from Tascam is maturing nicely and works fairly well with the major PC programs. Yamaha has a 01x that is either shipping now or soon. It's been getting good reviews by the people using it overseas. Both have nice control surfaces. For no surface, M-Audio has a Firewire 18/14 that should be out in a couple of weeks. Also Esi has a couple of firewire interfaces, including a 6/10. Both of MOTUs firewire boxes have been doing well (828 mkII and 896 mkII). There are some others, but they don't show up that much in the other news groups (other than the Protools stuff).

- cyclops

[GaryNattrass]

I've heard good things about the MOTU interface, a friend is buying one for his Apple Powerbook soon and I will ask his opinions

[Elgreco]

I have a MOTU midi express XT and it has been very reliable for over 5 years.

[Phil Macino]

I would recommend checking out the M-Audio FireWire 410 or Audiophile. If you need just a recording interface, the 410 will do you right. If you need a MIDI inteface to go with it, the Audiophile is your best bet.

I have the M-Audio USB MobilePre and I am very happy with the performance and sound quality. The zero-latency monitoring actually works, the preamps sound great, and it works seamlessly with all of my software.

I owned the MOTU 828mkII and loved it, but I sold it because it was way more than I needed.What about the MOTU was too much? The amount of analog ins? That is one of the features that is luring me, as i am thinking of starting to put together a modest studio where I could at least track 2 guitars (double mic'd), bass, and vocals simultaneously. I figure the cost of the MOTU would be less than studio time. I have everything else software wise, mic pre's, monitors etc...

My biggest concern is PC compatibility and stability. I recently departed with my Protools setup because of stability.

[cyclops]

If you are interested in seeing people's experiences with MOTU, check out http://www.unicornation.com/ (http://www.unicornation.com)

The 192HD might be what you are looking for.

-cyclops

[GaryNattrass]

Phil if you are worried about stability have you considered the all hardware route and just use the computer for final editing and mastering.


I use a Fostex D160 16 track and their latest 24 track version is also great. I have never had a problem with it and I use it with an analogue Allen and Heath GS3 console with analogue outboard gear.

It gives me the convenience of digital recording and a lovelly analogue warmth. I use high end AMS Neve digital onsoles at work so the simplicity of this set up is refreshing.

BTW digital consoles are mainly used in film and TV NOT for their quality aspect alone but because of the recall and ability to come back to mixes and set-ups at a later date.

[jas]

Phil...

I've had the Motu 828 mkii for about a month and I love it! I'm using it on a PC, mostly with Sonar 3.

I use it to record my band's practices - 9 inputs: 2 guitars, keyboards, up to 3 vocal mics, 2 inputs for the drummer, one for the bass (is that 9? :confused:) and it's been flawless. I upgraded from a 20-bit Layla system which worked fine but I wanted those 2 extra analog inputs that the MOTU gives you.

But I've read on the Motu forum that the 828 mkii just doesn't work well on a pre-XP Windows system. No problem on Mac or Win XP (which, luckily, I have).

-John

[Phil Macino]

Phil...

I've had the Motu 828 mkii for about a month and I love it! I'm using it on a PC, mostly with Sonar 3.

I use it to record my band's practices - 9 inputs: 2 guitars, keyboards, up to 3 vocal mics, 2 inputs for the drummer, one for the bass (is that 9? :confused:) and it's been flawless. I upgraded from a 20-bit Layla system which worked fine but I wanted those 2 extra analog inputs that the MOTU gives you.

But I've read on the Motu forum that the 828 mkii just doesn't work well on a pre-XP Windows system. No problem on Mac or Win XP (which, luckily, I have).

-John
Thanks John. That is exactly what I wanted to know. I too am currently using Sonar Producer 3.1.1.

The 828mkII would be going into a 3.2 GHz Intel box w/2 Gigs of Dual Channel DDR. (With XP SP1 of course)

[bassomatic]

Back in the day, MOTU didn't always play very nice with PC based SW.

Happy to say, that doesn't appear to be the case any longer. Even my older 2408 Mk II is rock solid with Nuendo in XP. Basically uncrashable (now I've probably curse myself!).

[jas]

One caveat that I just noticed last night for the first time (I'm slow):

If you're using a firewire harddrive along with the Motu, it's a problem. The Motu likes to play back the sound of the firewire harddrive spinning - maybe some folks like that sound but not me. ;)

For example, I have many files stored on firewire harddrives - sound files for Sonic. If you try to play them directly through Sonic off of the firewire harddrive, Motu snaps, crackles and pops along with the music.

The solution is to move your stuff - temporarily or permanently - from the firewire to the internal harddrive before playing it back. No big deal but something to be forewarned about.

-John