Audio Interfaces

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    • May 10, 2008 at 11:59 am
    Fingerspasm
    Member

    I am currently using a Stealth Plug or my GNX4 to record my guitar. These are only 16 bit/ 48khz. I am told that I will hear a difference if I move up to 24bit / 192khz. I am currently looking at the Motu Traveler ($850.00) or the Focusrite Saffire ($299.00) The Saffire has quit a bit less but is still 24bit/192khz. My question is do you think its worth the extra money for this kind of any upgrade. Or I guess another way to put it is there anyone using this kind of higher quality interface and if so do you think the difference is worth the extra Money?

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  • Replies
    • May 10, 2008 at 11:13 pm
    Sean Conklin
    Sean Conklin
    Member

    Hey Kyle,

    I don’t use any of those myself, but in general, you should definitely hear a good boost in quality if you up it like that. I would definitely go the cheaper route if I were you though, especially with a price difference that huge. Try it at the cheaper end first, then if you want more bells and whistles with the interface, look into a better one down the road. That’s my advice anyway. šŸ™‚ And depending on where you order from, you may have a certain amount of days where you can use and return it if you don’t find the difference you want.

    Good luck and let us know how it goes!
    Sean

    • May 11, 2008 at 2:34 pm
    Mike Edwin
    Mike Edwin
    Member

    I would have to agree with Sean on this. Most of the cheaper recording units and PC interfaces are quite good now days. I spent $200aud on mine and have been more than satisfied with the sound quality.

    So unless your planning to record an album or demo at home and try to sell it, you most likely wont need such a ‘pro’ unit.

    Dont take my word as gospel though. My experience with these devices is limited at best.

    • May 11, 2008 at 3:19 pm
    Fingerspasm
    Member

    @Mike Edwin 3292 wrote:

    I would have to agree with Sean on this. Most of the cheaper recording units and PC interfaces are quite good now days. I spent $200aud on mine and have been more than satisfied with the sound quality.

    So unless your planning to record an album or demo at home and try to sell it, you most likely wont need such a ‘pro’ unit.

    Dont take my word as gospel though. My experience with these devices is limited at best.

    Sounds good. I appreciate the advice. I am starting to get it figured out by doing some research on some sites that are dedicated strictly to recording. I have to be honest and admit that part of my decision will be based on the fact that this has become my main hobby and the only thing that I am interested in other than work and my family. I have been dedicated to guitar for the last 2 years (still have lots of work to do on the guitar playing thats why I subscribe to this site!) and recording has been an unexpected spin off from that as well as creating music with other instruments outside of just guitar. So with that being said I have to admit that my decision is not going to be one of pure economic sense but on one that will bring me the most joy in what I love to do. I guess a good analogy would be the guy who builds the 69 camaro with a 500hp engine and spends $15,000.00 just on the motor. Then only drives it on the weekends and rarely ever takes it over 80mph. Makes no sense but it makes him happy! That does not mean I am going to buy the most expensive unit just because I can. I am going to keep it at the home studio level. I know at this point that I am not going to have a full blown studio or be doing this for a living. With that being said if I had to pull the trigger and buy one today it would be the Motu 828mk3 that goes for $750.00. I am going to give up 2 of my guitars and one of my tube amps and turn around and buy the Audio interface and an electronic drumset. I have a 16 year old boy who is drooling over the drumset right now and I can keep a pretty good beat so it should be fun. If anyone has any suggestions on another Audio interface I am still open to suggestions at this point. I plan on waiting 2 or 3 weeks just to make sure.

    • May 21, 2008 at 1:11 am
    pgriffiths
    Member

    Check out Sonar Power Studio. It comes in two different flavors. USB 24bit/96khz and Firewire 24bit/192khz. The USB unit would be all you would need for home recording but if you want the absolute best quality and more inputs then the firewire unit is the one you want.These both come with a version of Sonar made specifically for the hardware so no incompatibility or configuration issues. They have quite a few plugins AND have drivers for Vista. As quoted from their site “the first integrated recording hardware and software to support Windows Vista (both 32- and 64-bit versions), also supports Windows XP “. I have seen the 220 go for around $380 and the firewire 660 for $549 at Amazon. Keep in mind this is for the interface and the full version of the Sonar recording software not a stripped down or lite version.
    http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/PowerStudio/default.asp

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