pro tools audio interfaces?

[joe]

Hi
I am currently using an M-Audio 1010LT Pci card, on my PC. (Quad core DV built 2.4ghz with M-Powered 7.3 Pro Tools) I have no complaints with my current setup but want a mobile setup too, so I am looking at a laptop of some description, I will need a suitable interface so I am interested what anyone out there thinks?
I have thought about the M-Audio 1814 but have just read quite a lot of fairly damning reviews.
As I am keen to stick with Pro Tools as it's what I'm used to as far as I understand I am limited to only Digi or M-Audio kit, is this correct?
The M Box Pro looks ok but has fewer inputs, the 003 looks good but it's not really very portable and is rather expensive, any words of wisdom?
Thanks
Joe

[sureno]

im in the same boat but have started to consider leaving PT off my lap to open up my choices, if i was to stick with PT the only viable choice in my opinion is the M box pro, i have the 003 and realistically your not taking that around with you with out a suitcase if you choose to leave PT may i suggest RME Fireface 400, Apogee duet (only mac) or the metric halo interface (its got some great DSP's)

[terminal3]

Digi or -some- M-Audio kit - there are a few M-Audio boxes that won't work with M-Powered - not many, but make sure you ask.

I don't know anything really about the M-Audio stuff. I use an MBox 2 Pro daily - it's got a total of 6 inputs counting the S/PDIF. How many simultaneous inputs do you need?

The Pro sounds OK - I've heard worse interfaces, I've heard lots better, but it does what I need it to do and that's run Pro Tools LE. Be warned that the preamps, although 'reasonable' sounding (not awesome) have virtually no headroom and thus leave little margin for tracking error, and the clocking scheme is a joke (no W/C if using S/PDIF, if using S/PDIF MBox -must- be slaved, W/C max 48k).

[joe]

I don't know anything really about the M-Audio stuff. I use an MBox 2 Pro daily - it's got a total of 6 inputs counting the S/PDIF. How many simultaneous inputs do you need?

The Pro sounds OK - I've heard worse interfaces, I've heard lots better, but it does what I need it to do and that's run Pro Tools LE. Be warned that the preamps, although 'reasonable' sounding (not awesome) have virtually no headroom and thus leave little margin for tracking error, and the clocking scheme is a joke (no W/C if using S/PDIF, if using S/PDIF MBox -must- be slaved, W/C max 48k)

I am going to be using this primarily in lessons, I am a music teacher and want to be able to record students, I travel to a number of schools so want to keep things as light as possible, however it would be good to get something that allows me to create some fairly good ressults but I'm not aiming for studio clarity.

I'm lost when you talk about pre amps, are these for mics? and what is tracking error and clocking scheme?

I guess another question is going to be what mics do I get? I have heard the Rhode NT1A recomended, I am a drummer by the way. I shall do monitoring with headphones so I don't have to carry around any speakers.

Thanks for the advice

Joe

[sureno]

Originally Posted by joe

I am going to be using this primarily in lessons, I am a music teacher and want to be able to record students, I travel to a number of schools so want to keep things as light as possible, however it would be good to get something that allows me to create some fairly good ressults but I'm not aiming for studio clarity.

I'm lost when you talk about pre amps, are these for mics? and what is tracking error and clocking scheme?

I guess another question is going to be what mics do I get? I have heard the Rhode NT1A recomended, I am a drummer by the way. I shall do monitoring with headphones so I don't have to carry around any speakers.

Thanks for the advice

Joe

wow this has expanded quickly to a rather diverse post, i can only offer simple explanations but by tracking error i believe it means if you dont set the levels in correctly even the slightest clipping will distort badly, the more headroom means slight clipping wont ruin the take and even with some gear warm it up. as for clocking scheme im a little unsure myself but think it is to do with syncing other devices to the MBP using its time stamp? (please some one confirm)

now onto the subjest of mics, what are you recording, drums? it really depends on many factors

[terminal3]

Yes, 'tracking error' is not necessarily a proper term, but I was referring to the low headroom of the mic amps - indeed there's no room for mistakes when you set your levels, the box clips very easily. Indeed this has to do with where your plugging in your microphones.

WRT 'clocking scheme' this has to do with syncing the device digitally to other gear. If you don't know what it means you probably don't have a need for it, so don't worry about it (it sounds like that won't matter).

The Mbox 2 Pro's biggest advantage for you right now is the firewire connection - it's more solid and less processor intensive than USB. With what you're going to do, it may have 6 inputs, but only two of those are useable for you at at time (analogue 1 & 2 can be *either* a mic input or a DI input [instrument] but not both at the same time. So you could plug an electric guitar or a synth in and have a mic going on vocals or on an amp at the same time, or you could mic up an acoustic guitar, but you would be hard pressed to properly mic up a piano and do vocals at the same time, for example.

[joe]

So M box pro it is then?

Has anyone else any other suggestions?

I didn't realise that the M box pro would only take 2 mics at a time, supposing you wanted to input more what options would you have?

On the subject of mics does anyone have any suggestions, I would like a mic or maybe two that are as versatile as possible, I already have an audio technica bass drum mic, not sure which one though.

Thanks

Joe

[terminal3]

Originally Posted by joe

I didn't realise that the M box pro would only take 2 mics at a time, supposing you wanted to input more what options would you have?

You can add preamps - there are line inputs (2) - a preamp in each of those would give you two extra mic channels. The cheapest pre I can think of off-hand is this one here. Not great quality but it'll do the job.

Originally Posted by joe

On the subject of mics does anyone have any suggestions, I would like a mic or maybe two that are as versatile as possible, I already have an audio technica bass drum mic, not sure which one though.

Budget? Mics are one of those things that can be had for cheap or expensive. A Neumann U87 will sound good on almost anything, but it's about £1700.

[joe]

Woah there!
I'm thinking of £1-200 tops, as I said this is to record reasonable quality recordings of students not to produce albums, but I don't doubt it sounds wonderful...

[terminal3]

No probs, I had to ask.

My favourite inexpensive mic is probably this one:

CAD M177 Condenser Microphone at DV247.COM

There's also an M179 (and technically it's the 179 that I consider to be my favourite) - I know DV can get it but they don't list it on their website - this will give you multi-pattern capability for a bit more versatility but is otherwise the same capsule.

AT makes some nice mics, at this level so does Rode and sE. I also have one of these and it's pretty good, although it's a touch on the bright side - useless on female vocals, but great on a lot of other stuff:

SE Electronics SE2200A Condenser Microphone at DV247.COM

[joe]

Thanks for the advice, I think I am a little less confused?!%