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Interface wonders
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CH3CKM8
CH3CKM8
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
36
Posted : Sep 3, 2012 19:50:14
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Hello guys, I'm going to make a decision soon and would appreciate your help. I am currently using a macbook pro and macmini (vienna ensemble pro) with RME fireface 400 audio interface on the master computer (macbook pro). I am trying to take the load off from my macbook so I'm considering using the RME on the mini, controlling my current hardware synths: tempest and minitaur. So, to do this, I will need to buy a new interface for the macbook, preferably smaller and portable. I would really love to use, for instance, an apogee duet 2, wich is light and high quality, but there are no midi connectors, and I am pretty sure I will buy another hardware synth someday (the fireface has only two midi outputs). The other alternative is RME babyface, this one has midi, but the perfect solution for me would be an interface that could be connected to a mac computer or an ipad, because I really hate to use my studio gear to record sets or anything when we have a party. Do you guys know anything about this type of hybrid (ipad / mac compatible) interface?
Marcelo. |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 3, 2012 23:34
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for midi you could use a usb to midi thingy, or a usb controller with some midi ports .
or you could try a echo audiofire 2 to see if it suit you ..probably one of the best bang for the buck (i like the sound a bit more than my rme) havent tried how the midi is tight..anyway it sound sure good enought for live or making music |
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Suloo
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
87
Posts :
2822
Posted : Sep 4, 2012 00:14
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+1 for the Echo
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Sep 10, 2012 21:59
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 03:00
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i should do some test to really know about the a/d, i think i used it just once.. and it need really carreful a/b with blind test imo..just by the spec the echo convertion is better than my rme even if it don't mean much about the sound...
for the da its long time i havent compared i don t use these convertion anymore,i think it s a bit in the same league both not highend ,just enjoyed more the echo sound,
i like more the low and the highs,overall sound is more pleasing than my rme,but it may sound a bit veiled. |
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 10:36
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yes i got it. would be nice to record a concert of classical music acoustically with great mics to both of the interfaces in the same time. that would to be a nice testing
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 11:45
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yep... but for convertion to be sorted i would directly buy lavry black second hand and don't look back, expensive depending the needs but sometimes i see some used for not much |
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Babaluma
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
18
Posts :
729
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 12:53
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 13:13
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it depends even in the audiofire line of product the interface don't use the same converters ships and it s probably the same for rme .
from the gearsluts test about doing ad/da loops and measurments echo rank higher than rme for beeing truer to the source if i remember right and some other pro sumer cards too but these test may be to take with a grain of salt...
rme is great for pci cards used as digital card with external convertion and pre imo but not so good bang for the buck for the rest. |
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CH3CKM8
CH3CKM8
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
36
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 15:26
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Hey guys, thanks for the info. I'm really happy with the RME sound and stability, never had problems. I'm not sure yet but I'll probably go with babyface or motu track 16. Do you guys think motu is as good as RME in terms of quality and stability? Also, did you see the Apogee Quartet? Looks nice but I still don't understand why Apogee didn't build it able to connect also to an ipad/iphone, I believe the technology is already available. Also, I don't trust USB, firewire is much better. |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 16:32
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if you have a store neer you ask them if you can try a interface to see if it work well with your computer..so you can change it if you don t like it or if it s not stable. or just go with the one that have all the feature you want...
sound wont probably be a issu what ever you choose ,all interface converters sound decent these days i guess..but stable dunno.. motu i heard it is but i never used..maybe try the motu compare it to your rme and return it or keep it..personally i think i would go with the duet from the gearslutz ad/da thread if i remmeber correclty it s more transparent than any rme that was tested (the motu might be too..rme sound is a bit overated imo , it s a bit clinical and people mix clinical with transparent cause it dont hype the sound but it dont mean it dont color the sound ) |
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Suloo
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
87
Posts :
2822
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 18:32
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i actualy cannot really understand why your flaming RME so much PoM. The drivers are incredible stable and the sound is very clean. sure i respect your personal opinion. I want clean sound in the first place. To add colour with plugins or whatever is no problem these days. Well, some converters like lynx or smth might sound better but in terms of transportable interface there is not much that beats the RME imo..
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CH3CKM8
CH3CKM8
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
36
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 20:11
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 20:21
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Quote:
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On 2012-09-11 18:32, Suloo wrote:
i actualy cannot really understand why your flaming RME so much PoM. The drivers are incredible stable and the sound is very clean. sure i respect your personal opinion. I want clean sound in the first place. To add colour with plugins or whatever is no problem these days. Well, some converters like lynx or smth might sound better but in terms of transportable interface there is not much that beats the RME imo..
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cause i cant stand the sound..the day i heard a full tracked mix with a rme ff800 and a high end converter..the rme had everyhting i dont like..it just made things 2d ans sterile removing from the source organic/musical/plesant quality,it was on a blind test... it s still subbtle.. but for lack of better words, the mix was sounding sterile , while with the other converter it was sounding articulated and musical,the ff800 was accentuating what i don t like in some digital mix.to me everyhting you record on this or hear dont sound as good as it should be, it s 90% but not 100% as good as it should be.
after it s taste..i don't have experience with their newer units too. to me their are still great interface with great drivers but i encourage ppl to try different interface that may save them some money if they like the sound.
i dont want everyone think there is a big difference and if they change interface their mix will be instanely better, it s still subbtle a 1 db boost of eq on the master will change way more the sound but for getting the best sounding source ,recorded with great gears it need better convertion or your chain sound 90% as good as it should |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 11, 2012 20:55
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it look like he removed the results? anyway imo nothing beat testing the interface by yourself to see if it s stable and you may like the sound of one more than the other when recording synth and for mixing but to evaluate you need to record exatly same stuff and then use a abx soft..if you get good clear score on abx you know the one is best (abx softwares will play randomly the 2 files and you have to choose if it s file "A" or "B" ,great to compare stuff and be sure your eyes and brain don t fool you as they do lot of the time for crytical listening) |
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