the purchase of a new rig! what would you do?

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:33 am

adventurepants_ wrote:As far as I know though, there are very little problems with the very best prosumer firewire interfaces on PC (ie MOTU, RME) but I dont own one. maybe someone with experience will chip in.

No problems with a RME Fireface on a Agre chipset Macbook Pro. On that note though the two problems I've heard about on Macs with firewire are the RME 400 and 800, and the Agre chipsets, though this seems to vary from user to user. With the RME problem the solution is pretty simple, just put a firewire external HD in between! The problem was/is that sometimes the Ti drivers and hardware for the Fireface doesn't get recognized by the laptop, thus the odd solution.
The other one is with the Firewire 510(not certain that # is right?) from M-Audio.

Beyond that, no issues if it does indeed work, it works.

USB is always a PITA IMO on Mac, I have no idea on PC, but on Macs USB occasionally loses connection, not a total drag, but annoying. Then again I have a fuck ton of crap attached to my laptop!

BTW I always thought Prosumer meant middle of the road, I wouldn't call RME middle of the road. Forgive if I'm wrong about the meaning of prosumer here??

ekwipt · Post by **ekwipt** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:20 am

Machinesworking wrote:
adventurepants_ wrote:As far as I know though, there are very little problems with the very best prosumer firewire interfaces on PC (ie MOTU, RME) but I dont own one. maybe someone with experience will chip in.
No problems with a RME Fireface on a Agre chipset Macbook Pro. On that note though the two problems I've heard about on Macs with firewire are the RME 400 and 800, and the Agre chipsets, though this seems to vary from user to user. With the RME problem the solution is pretty simple, just put a firewire external HD in between! The problem was/is that sometimes the Ti drivers and hardware for the Fireface doesn't get recognized by the laptop, thus the odd solution.
The other one is with the Firewire 510(not certain that # is right?) from M-Audio.

I have fireface400 and a macpro, I haven't posted it in the rme forums but on't you find it a bit long in the tooth that RMEs solution to their problem is for the user to buy an external firewire hard drive. Can't they make a cheap powered mini box that they either give away or sell really cheap to existing customers

laird · Post by **laird** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:27 pm

sweet, so now if you can find a mac and a fireface for $2K total, you will be totally set for life

ChiDJ · Post by **ChiDJ** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:07 pm

How serious are you? If this is just a hobby, then these recommendations are fair. If you plan to take this further.

Wait. $2000.00 is not enough to get a good comp and quailty audio interface.

Be patient. Do your homework. Otherwise you will outgrow the cheap stuff in a year and wish you had waited.

My 02.

T-

rapidix · Post by **rapidix** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:37 pm

@laird and childj - $2k is what i got for basically the computer and audio interface. other equipment can come later. it's definitely a hobby, albeit expensive. i don't think i'll be doing more than just making music for myself, friends. and having friends come over to record stuff. i might have the chance to do a couple freelance gigs for jingles for local commercials and stuff but that's about it. so yeah, the real expensive stuff is not really point of discussion.

so far, i'm gathering firewire interface and either mac or pc depending on cost and its compatibility with said firewire interface.

i have been looking at mixers. such as the behringer 802 or 1204. my initial plan, before starting this post, was to have a pci audiophile 192 and just have the mixer plug into the card. is this a bad set up? with the firewire, seems like instruments and mics should be plugged directly into the audio interface. does the mixer cause hums or distortion or something? should i expect to plug directly into firewire, instead of looking at mixers?

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:59 pm

you don't need a mixer - just plug everything straight into the audio interface.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:18 am

ekwipt wrote: I have fireface400 and a macpro, I haven't posted it in the rme forums but on't you find it a bit long in the tooth that RMEs solution to their problem is for the user to buy an external firewire hard drive. Can't they make a cheap powered mini box that they either give away or sell really cheap to existing customers

RME blame Apple for it, and to a degree I understand that they cannot predict what new hardware includes. On the other hand I find it hard to believe that there's not a way for them to code something for OSX that could ping the firewire port etc. Personally I think they're just being obstinate. They definitely have mixed feelings about Apple for sure if you read their forums and other reports etc. They love firewire, but hate Apple's closed format etc. I really like the Fireface, but I think if I was to do it again I would have bought the Metric Halo, even though that puts me firmly in Mac land.