Ableton Forum

Hello!

My existing audio interface has started crackling and buzzing and so I'm looking for a new. firewire or thunderbolt interface. I need something with 12 - 16 channels and I'd like to keept the price down.

I've gotten a lot of bang for the buck on presonus gear (such as my stuiochannel channel strip), and I like the idea of using the Presonus Firestudio Channel Project (as it's rackmountable and I live in New York City where real estate can be measured in centimeters).

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FireStuProj/

However, I read some negative comments about latency and difficulty in setup here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=100277

However, this post is from ten years ago and other similar posts had some cobwebs on them as well.

I'm wondering if anyone is using the FireStudio Project with Live 9 and getting good results?

The Presonus StudioLive mixer is another option, but it's larger and I really don't need a mixer at all.

Any other Firewire/Thunderbolt interface recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks!

H

Hull wrote:Any other Firewire/Thunderbolt interface recommendations are appreciated.

http://www.tcelectronic.com/impact-twin/

Hey thanks! Only two channels, though. Like I said I need 10 - 16. The Studio Konnekt 48 could work but I can't find a price or dealer in the US.

If you are on Mavericks I would verify that it works with their "VSL" app, or the equivalent for that interface. I have a 44vsl that I am selling due to it not working with mavericks. If it does, it's a good app, where you get a basic effects set for direct monitoring off the interface, low-no latency. Seems it's a toss up with Presonus and Mavericks, many of their interfaces won't fully work with all the (good imo) features.
ETA: I looked at the Sweetwater add and it does have the app like the VSL app, but looks like it may be better featured. Scour Presonus site for a specific "yes it works with Mavericks" and if it does it will do what you are talking about.
Focusrite support Mavericks I believe with all their interfaces. Seems there's lots of problems going around with Mavericks and audio. I just got a Saffire Pro 24 dsp that has worked no issues, and has its own direct monitoring app that works great, if a little bit of a handful to learn.

Hull wrote:Hey thanks! Only two channels, though. Like I said I need 10 - 16. The Studio Konnekt 48 could work but I can't find a price or dealer in the US.

they put it this way

14/14 I/O - 4 Analog & 10 Digital
14 ins and 14 outs give the flexibility to record and monitor just about any device you can think of.

there are two inputs on the front that are XLR and 1/4", but if you look at the image of the rear there are 4 more inputs. so you should probably be able to record at least 4 mics/instruments simultaneously if not 6. i believe some of what they are counting in the quote above are the MIDI in, S/PDIF, and ADAT as well.

so it's more than you think... but less than you need

sorry. the price was comparable and T.C. Electronic quality seems to be pretty damn good.

anywaaaay....

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KonnektStu48

I've owned 3 three FireStudio Projects this summer. Latency isn't an issue. It comes with a a software mixer that lets you mix how much of the direct signal and DAW signal for each channel you want for monitoring, so if you mix in just the direct signal, there will be no latency.

I was going to recommend focusrite, but it looks like their 500 buck range stuff will not meet your needs for inputs unless you get an external channel strip and spidf/optical it. Driver wise, my saffire 14 is probably the best I've personally used.

Anything else but not Presonus. They have issues (interruption in connection) with their Firewire products, soundcards in particular. They sent me replacements, talked on the phone etc, etc for few weeks. The worst part of the story is that they did not really know what is wrong but worse, became rather obvious that Firewire on its way out, they were not really motivated to find out. Presonus products (except Studio One software) never had too good reputation but that story put them on my blacklist.
Get RME otherwise if on budget something from Echo Audio.

Helpful comments, all!

H2Only, sorry about misreading the TC Electronic device, it's actually a really good and affordable option. Also, I have NO IDEA why it didn't turn up in my search on Sweetwater, but I'm glad you sent the link!


So, I'm between the TC Electronics and FocusRite. I've heard first hand experience with focusrite that's good.

H2Only do you (or anyone else) use the tc Electronics? For how long? Just wanted to know how well it holds up and plays with Ableton 9.

Thanks!

H

i have a TC Electronic Konnekt 6 that i used for around 5 or 6 years until about 2 weeks ago. it was built really well [damn solid] and i never had a single issue with it on Windows XP or 7 and/or on OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and now Mavericks. the unit still works great. i just decided to swap it out as the Konnect 6, though really good, is not exactly their high end model and i was upgrading my chain from my mic all the way back to my DAW. i got an Apogee Duet 2 for the highly praised converters and finally bought myself a serious stand alone pre-amp from Universal Audio.

TC kept up with drivers and firmware updates... which always worked the first time every time on all OS versions. and they included a really good VST reverb as well.

i've been on these boards for several years and do not recall seeing anything negative about TC units... unless you count "firewire is dead" type comments.

that's all i can really offer in terms of my experience, but if you look at the reviews i think you will see that 4+ of 5 stars is not at all uncommon with their products.

Nice! Sounds like you've gotten a nice little system there. I'd be interested in knowing which UA tue pre you went with.

I don't actually have firewire on my macbook, i'ts thunderbolt. I might look around for a thunderbolt interface since they apparently have those now. But knowing the manufacturers you trust has been very helpful.

Thanks again!

Tom

it's a UA 710 Twin-finity

http://www.uaudio.com/hardware/mic-prea ... inity.html

Hull wrote:Nice! Sounds like you've gotten a nice little system there. I'd be interested in knowing which UA tue pre you went with.

I don't actually have firewire on my macbook, i'ts thunderbolt. I might look around for a thunderbolt interface since they apparently have those now. But knowing the manufacturers you trust has been very helpful.

Thanks again!

Tom

I'm a PC user who prefers FW devices. I have a M-Audio 410 and Presonus 1394. I use desktops that still have FW ports. If I upgrade my next option is buying a FW PCie card.

I found this article. http://www.infoworld.com/t/mac-laptop/h ... 7?page=0,0.

There's a FireWire to Thunderbolt adapter... That's what I used on my iMac for the last 18 months.

is the new motu 828x with thunderbolt worth any consideration?

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/828x