Which interface: Ultralite, Konnect, FW410, Firebox, Saffire

happygodavid · Post by **happygodavid** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:33 pm

And check out Dynaudio BM5a's or BM6a's for monitors. As for Blue Sky, the general consensus around our shop (mostly recording school grads) was that they take a while to get used to, and you end up loving them or being frustrated. As for Adams, I can't give you an opinion. BUT, Dynaudios NEVER got returned at our store. Seriously, I can't recall one set being brought back. This speaks volumes on the quality. Plus, all the tech gurus agreed that for the money, the Dyns were the most accurate. Now a pair of BM5a's with a Blue Sky Universal sub... that would be a setup.

Or just mow a few extra lawns and buy Genelecs. End of quest for monitors.
Best of luck!

dave999z · Post by **dave999z** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:42 pm

I think I've decided to give the Adams a go after all. If I eventually think I need a sub, I'll look into adding an Adam sub-8 or sub-10.

quadrant6 · Post by **quadrant6** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:45 am

happygodavid, what's your opinion on the ULN2. Based on what I've read, it's equally as solid and reliable as the RME and motu.

ernene · Post by **ernene** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:02 pm

Hey guys! I've been reading this for a while... I need to step out from my M-audio FW410, even if I had no problems with drivers, it's making some noises since it's built as a toy and not as a real audio interface (ok, you get what you've paid for).
I've been dreaming for a while with the RME fireface 400 since I know it's considered the best (RME) in this field... I love as well motu, but rme wins when it comes to converters and so on, but... what about midi???? I need to sync my Korg electribe !!!!
can not see the midi in and out on those.. or am I wrong?????
Otherwise I should go for traveller or firefice 800 (but then we are talking about 900 euros or 1200!!!!)
Some feedback would be precious!!! Thanks.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:40 pm

The Ultralite has MIDI I/O.

ernene · Post by **ernene** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:06 pm

Thanks Tarekith... after looking so many interfaces on the internet I've got confused

. Ultralite have 1 in and 1 out (midi). When RME Fireface 400 have 1 mido I/O via a breakout cable... wich I just do not understand... is it possible to get a cable from that to standard midi?

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:01 pm

ernene · Post by **ernene** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:18 pm

Grazie!
Now I get it... Now it's just a money dilema!

happygodavid · Post by **happygodavid** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:58 am

As for the Metric, I don't have any personal experience with it, so my opinion would be of little value. I will say, however, that at GC I heard a TON of opinions on gear (I learned who to trust and who was blowing smoke), and Metric has a reputation for being SOLID. Probably would be a very good choice.
I thought of another option, as well. Check out www.blacklionaudio.com. Basically, you can buy one of several interfaces and have BLA mod them for you. For instance, MOTU sometimes gets a bad wrap for poor mic pres, and BLA fixes this (or the clock or the analog chain or whatever they think would make a particular piece of gear go from good to great).
Just a thought. Heck, if anything, I figured you might just like to know that companies like that do exist! Don't like a feature on some sort of gear? Chances are, there is someone somewhere who can mod it for you.
Take Robert Keeley, for instance. He can make a Boss pedal (guitar effects; is generally avoided as a brand by tone purists) actually have really great tone. (www.robertkeeley.com). Slightly off topic, but I suppose forums are meant to supply us all w/ more resources, no?

dave999z · Post by **dave999z** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:19 am

So, my Adam A7s arrived today - not in good shape. One doesn't work (no matter how much I turn up the input gain, it just doesn't get very loud, at all). The other has a cosmetic blemish, which I normally don't really care about, but it irks me that something is up with this pair. Got them from sweetwater. we'll see how the exchange goes.

i hope adam is not having QC issues.

dave999z · Post by **dave999z** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:59 am

Well, I now have my replacement pair of A7s. Props to Sweetwater for overnighting replacements, no questions asked.

This pair seems in perfect working order.

It'll take some getting used to this flat upper-midrange (been working on NS-10s through a stereo receiver up to now).

dave999z · Post by **dave999z** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:06 am

I have to say, now that I've acquired all this stuff... wow. I have 15 days left or so in my return period on the ULN-2, but unless the thing blows up or something I highly doubt I'll be returning it. The thing just works and sound awesome. These monitors (now that I got a working set) are great too. I'm very pleased with this setup and it's nice to be done putting it all together. tonight I sat down with absynth and got some stuff going with a vocal take. it all sounds killer at 24/96. damn.

i'm just floored. my last setup was using a battery powered sony mic, through a minidisc player, into the stock input on my mac. this is just unbelievable. i'm not saying it sounds like recording at some pro studio through a neuman and some $5k mic pre and channel strip in a soundproof room with a floated floor listening back through $5k genelecs or anything. but compared to where I was - I feel like I'm 90% there.

very happy. so thought I'd share.