audio interface upgrade

[realstrings]

Hi Guys

I want to upgrade my audio interface (currently I have a M-audio 410) but I'm getting conflicting advice. [URL="http://realstrings.wordpress.com/examples/"]I'm recording acoustic instruments[/URL], tracking up in abundance, so I want to add as little 'colour' to the sound as possible.
I use an SE Gemini and an AKG C414 (mostly), currently running into a Focusrite Twintrak Pro. Recording on a Mac with Logic 8. Is it time for Apogee?
Thanks

[terminal3]

Originally Posted by realstrings

Hi Guys

I want to upgrade my audio interface (currently I have a M-audio 410) but I'm getting conflicting advice. I'm recording acoustic instruments, tracking up in abundance, so I want to add as little 'colour' to the sound as possible.
I use an SE Gemini and an AKG C414 (mostly), currently running into a Focusrite Twintrak Pro. Recording on a Mac with Logic 8. Is it time for Apogee?
Thanks

How many channels do you need at a time?

The Apogee Duet is a pretty darn fine sounding interface - the Ensemble of course is even better.

Depending on your budget, and the fact that you're on a Mac, I'd compare that to the Metric Halo ULN-2 (or 2882 if you need more channels, but the ULN-2 has way better preamps).

The Metric Halo ULN-2 is going to cost more for two channels but has quite a few extra features (DSP option, MIO Console, digital I/O, etc). The Duet sounds good but is quite basic for the money (no digital I/O, unbalanced outputs, etc).

You can't really do much better than these unless you move up to the Prism Orpheus!

[realstrings]

Thanks! A mate as the Metric Halo and I'm going to try it out - looks like the answer. The Duet does seem a bit too limited in features. I only need 2 channels.

[macleodgrant]

Originally Posted by realstrings

Thanks! A mate as the Metric Halo and I'm going to try it out - looks like the answer. The Duet does seem a bit too limited in features. I only need 2 channels.

i have the DUET, love it and i have the metric halo 2882 and love that too...i haven't used the 2882 full fledged for recording yet so can't comment on that but the quality is very good and a bit more open than the DUET imo. i upgraded from the Motu 828MKII but had an ensemble for a while too ut returned that for the metric halo