This will be a bit long in order to get people's opinions on various options in Japan.
In the gear wanted forum I got some good info on interfaces, but am still confused by all the options, plus the availability here in Japan of certain products, and the cost. Original idea was Blue Yeti Pro for my setup (already have M-Audio Keystation 88ES midi controller). But I wonder if this stereo mic would give me the proper separation for voice and acoustic guitar. I am looking at interfaces so I can use two mics simultaneously, most likely Shure SM57 for acoustic guitar and Rode NT-1 for voice.
First, my computer is the 27inch Imac 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7 with 8 GB of memory. 4 Cores 8MB cache, Audio ID 24, Firewire 800 Mb/sec, 2 internal disks : (A) 2 TB Hitachi hard drive ( 251 GB Solid State Disk (Available 73 G
Mac OS X Lion 10.7.2
This is pre thunderbolt, though.
I want to have at least one powered XLR jack, and need to be able to use the Shure (dynamic XLR and 1/4 inch) and Rode at the same time. I do not need to play the USB keyboard at the same time, and do not need it for on the road.
I do need to be able to hear previously recorded tracks as well as currently recording without any latency (so I can do "sound on sound" without going crazy!!)
One popular site:http://www.soundhouse.co.jp/shop/MidCategoryList.asp?MidCategoryCd=30
If yo have Google Chrome you can see these in your favorite language by clicking translation button.
USB: there are lots of these and I read pro and con. What I have found here:
1) Yamaha Audiogram 3 and 6. Salesman swore by them, but I see they are USB 1.1 So am wary.
2) Tascam 122MK2 and 144MK2. Not sure how they differ. Have read though they loads have people have had issues with drivers.
3) Other Tascam models like TASCAM US-200 and US-600. Not sure how they differ from the more common 122 and 144.
4) Saffire Focusrite 6. Have not read much yet.
5) Presonus Audiobox USB
6) Presonus Audiobox 22VSL (Virtual studio live)
7) Fast Track Pro (FT Ultra too expensive)
8) M-Audio Mobile Pre
9) Icon digital (various)-never heard of them
10) (Roland) / TRI-CAPTURE
10) Alesis Multimix 4, 6 and and 6-These models seem to be mixers and USB interfaces. Presumably that is good if I want to do a live concert and the venue has no mixer, as I could use line outs.
Others like this: BEHRINGER XENYX 1204Usb and X1204USB, A1222,USB, X1622, ALLEN & HEATH ZED-10, Yamaha MW10C
So many to choose from. Any that I should avoid like the plague? Any that are especially great? Any that I am missing?
PURE MIXERS:A few people in the Gear Wanted forum really swear by them. I read in one place that the Intel Macs have a good sound chip and I could therefore plug a line out into the mic/line input. Others have cautioned on crappy analog out sound, but I want to hear more.
1) Various small ones by Phonic
2) Mackie 402vlz3
3) Others such as BEHRINGER (Behringer XENYX502 ) which seem very cheap....almost free! Or the biggish Eurorack.
Are these really ok? I can see these using these for both home and on the road, but this seems a throwback to the 1980s. Which has anyone used? Others not listed here?
Firewire: Many say this is the way to go, but I don't think there are many in my budget. I found
1) DeskTop Konnekt 6
2) BEHRINGER F-CONTROL AUDIO
3) Desktop Konnekt 6
4) Presonus Firestudio Mobile--just about at the top of my budget.
Others that are reasonably priced and work well?
Thanks!
In the gear wanted forum I got some good info on interfaces, but am still confused by all the options, plus the availability here in Japan of certain products, and the cost. Original idea was Blue Yeti Pro for my setup (already have M-Audio Keystation 88ES midi controller). But I wonder if this stereo mic would give me the proper separation for voice and acoustic guitar. I am looking at interfaces so I can use two mics simultaneously, most likely Shure SM57 for acoustic guitar and Rode NT-1 for voice.
First, my computer is the 27inch Imac 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7 with 8 GB of memory. 4 Cores 8MB cache, Audio ID 24, Firewire 800 Mb/sec, 2 internal disks : (A) 2 TB Hitachi hard drive ( 251 GB Solid State Disk (Available 73 G
Mac OS X Lion 10.7.2
This is pre thunderbolt, though.
I want to have at least one powered XLR jack, and need to be able to use the Shure (dynamic XLR and 1/4 inch) and Rode at the same time. I do not need to play the USB keyboard at the same time, and do not need it for on the road.
I do need to be able to hear previously recorded tracks as well as currently recording without any latency (so I can do "sound on sound" without going crazy!!)
One popular site:http://www.soundhouse.co.jp/shop/MidCategoryList.asp?MidCategoryCd=30
If yo have Google Chrome you can see these in your favorite language by clicking translation button.
USB: there are lots of these and I read pro and con. What I have found here:
1) Yamaha Audiogram 3 and 6. Salesman swore by them, but I see they are USB 1.1 So am wary.
2) Tascam 122MK2 and 144MK2. Not sure how they differ. Have read though they loads have people have had issues with drivers.
3) Other Tascam models like TASCAM US-200 and US-600. Not sure how they differ from the more common 122 and 144.
4) Saffire Focusrite 6. Have not read much yet.
5) Presonus Audiobox USB
6) Presonus Audiobox 22VSL (Virtual studio live)
7) Fast Track Pro (FT Ultra too expensive)
8) M-Audio Mobile Pre
9) Icon digital (various)-never heard of them
10) (Roland) / TRI-CAPTURE
10) Alesis Multimix 4, 6 and and 6-These models seem to be mixers and USB interfaces. Presumably that is good if I want to do a live concert and the venue has no mixer, as I could use line outs.
Others like this: BEHRINGER XENYX 1204Usb and X1204USB, A1222,USB, X1622, ALLEN & HEATH ZED-10, Yamaha MW10C
So many to choose from. Any that I should avoid like the plague? Any that are especially great? Any that I am missing?
PURE MIXERS:A few people in the Gear Wanted forum really swear by them. I read in one place that the Intel Macs have a good sound chip and I could therefore plug a line out into the mic/line input. Others have cautioned on crappy analog out sound, but I want to hear more.
1) Various small ones by Phonic
2) Mackie 402vlz3
3) Others such as BEHRINGER (Behringer XENYX502 ) which seem very cheap....almost free! Or the biggish Eurorack.
Are these really ok? I can see these using these for both home and on the road, but this seems a throwback to the 1980s. Which has anyone used? Others not listed here?
Firewire: Many say this is the way to go, but I don't think there are many in my budget. I found
1) DeskTop Konnekt 6
2) BEHRINGER F-CONTROL AUDIO
3) Desktop Konnekt 6
4) Presonus Firestudio Mobile--just about at the top of my budget.
Others that are reasonably priced and work well?
Thanks!