USB recording device questions

Does anyone know anything about the LEXICON PRO OMEGA DESKTOP RECORDING STUDIO? Right now I use a Tascam US-122 (a usb audio interface) to record but, I NEED more audio inputs (for the MPC's outs), as it only has 2 (MPC & keyboard). I'm looking at some other things with more input (the Lexicon Omega, Tascam US 428, etc...) but, I'm having a hard time deciding what to get. I definitely want to make sure I can continue to record via my cpu so I need the usb connection. Overall I want to be able to record more than two tracks at once. That's my main concern! Any ideas??I was even considering getting a mixer but, I'm not qute sure that will handle my needs.

I started to cop a Lexicon Omega, but i decided to go with a PCI soundcard instead of USB. Do you have any problem transfering data USB. I was told that USB can only transfer 4 mono or 2 stereo tracks at a time period. It can have several inputs but you will still only be doing 2 ST or 4 MO simultaneously. Have you heard that before? I would go with firewire over USB on a laptop and if you're using a desktop go with PCI if you have the available slots. Your transfer rate will be better using either one of those options. That Omega is $350 right? You can get a Delta 1010 PCI for $450, or a MOTU 828 Firewire for $700.

I never heard that about the 2 tracks. not saying its not true though. i havent had ANY problems at all with the usb thus far but, i'm only recording 2 stereo tracks. i was checking out some of those things u named also but, i dont have the firewire. i'm using a desktop. also, i'm not quite sure about the pci slots. another option i was considering was just continuing to record vocals with my US-122 and getting a 16 trk digital recorder. I dont know. so many d@mn options.

yo vakseen, i could sell you mine us428 for $300. it is in mint condition. what do you think? i use a laptop with vsti and reason and there is no need for us428 any more. i now use m audio mobilepre with just two inputs for vocals, period. the us 428 goes for $500 in stores/internet so 3 bills (i think is a good price).

Not to be a bearer of bad news, but USB 1.1 just doesn't cut it when it comes to multiple-channel recording.

USB 1.1 can only handle 12Mbits/second, and that's not counting any control data.

So would i be better off going with a sound card with more inputs OR just getting a 16track digital recorder?

get a EMU 1212M card and a Behringer ADA8000. You'll be happy, trust me.

i'ma check those out. hey D, how do i determine if my desktop has pci slots? i'm assuming i need to know that from looking around at cards.

vakseen wrote:i'ma check those out. hey D, how do i determine if my desktop has pci slots? i'm assuming i need to know that from looking around at cards.

Just check the back of the computer, usually the modem and maybe your video card and other stuff like that will be occupying them. I seriously doubt they are all full though. What type of computer do you have PC or MAC? Also is it a tower case or horizontal case?

Its a tower case. A Compaq PC. I take it I would just pay someone to install the pci card?

vakseen wrote:Its a tower case. A Compaq PC. I take it I would just pay someone to install the pci card?

I would do it myself personally, Sh!t is easy as He!!

do u already know about computers though? Also, is it pretty much guaranteed that I actually have a PCI slot? Dont want to spend unnecessary $$. From what I see, the stuff u recommended WILL be perfect

Do you know the exact model of your computer? If it's not a laptop, I can say with 99,9% certainty that it has pci slots. But just to be sure, you should be able to find the info on compaqs website.

thats a bet. i'm gonna check that out Digi. Thanks...it's not a laptop though

yo digital,

what are you saying? us428 does not work? they have been out for about 3 years and the price still has not drop. what exactly are you saying? i am confused. they are allot of people using the us428 everyday as a midi interface, control surface and audio. please explain. it is definitly better than the mobilepre i am currently using (just too big to carry around). and as far as sound quailty it has a pretty good sound compare to other cards in its price range and with the same features. i quess what i am saying is the us428 is not just an audio card but midi interface and control surface as well. a lot of bang for the buck.

my personal endosements:

computers - hewlett parkard ze5460 laptop p4, 1 gig ram, 2.6 mhz(sortware setup) and pavilion desktop p4, 256 ram, 1.5 mhz(hardware setup)

vsti - all native instruments stuff (komplete 2)/all spectrasoncs(triology, stylus, atmosphere)/sampletank II xl/hypersonic/reason (rewire)

wave editor - sound forge (use to use wavelab)

effects (software) - platinuim wave

sequencer - cubase sl (using cubase since 1.0), cubase se (use on the road so i do not have to worry about loosing the dongle from sl), cubase 5.1 (use for my hardware setup)

soundcard - tascam us428 (connect to my hardware setup), maudio ozone (for the road), maudio mobilepre (recording vocals)/echo indigo (for using acid pro 4/editing loops)

midi interface - midiman midisport 4x4

external harddrive - lacie 160 gig firewire (connect both to hardware or software setup)

midi controllers - fatar sl161 (software setup)/maudio ozone (for the road)/maudio radium 61 (use in my den, when i do not want to be in the studio)/roland a-30 (hardware setup)/DrumKat (hardware and software sontroller)

monitors - maudio bx5/ event 20/20 /tannoy

this is my software setup, my hardware setup (which i never use anymore) is a whole nother story.

my first keyboard/synth/sequencer was yamaha b200. i say all of this because i have seen and tested allot of hardware and software and i would not try to push a dud off on anyone. the us428 is a pretty nice piece of equiment if you are on a budget. if money is not a issue just plop 5 grand on a pro-tool system and get the state of the art. cheers.