MPC 4000 with apogee ensemble or motu 828 mk3

Like I mentioned previously, the whole ADAT/Analog thing is more a matter of preference than right or wrong; Good or bad. If you had the Ensemble you would be more than good. The ADAT option would be a good way to go as well, and the Wordclock move is a good one, especially with the MPC and other devices. Honestly, unless you plan on doing the mixing and mastering on your setup to be delivered to a Major Record Label as a completed master, you probably don't need anything more than an Ensemble. The 'Higher end' interfaces are really for those who want to bring the song to it's final conclusion for a major release through a major label or those who are just 'anal' for personal reasons, or those who just want to spend the money for personal taste. In the end, if you have a hot track, then it 'is what it is'. There's nothing wrong with getting 'higher end stuff', it just depends on where you're at in terms of what you intend to do; who you are presenting it too, and the like. I personally go for the 'High end' stuff because I make a living from it and the "Big bosses" want what they want. In reality, when you step up to the 'Higher end' stuff, the only way it really benefits you is if EVERYTHING you have in your signal path is of the same or similar quality:Monitors, Amps, Mic Preamps, Converters, Wires and Cables, Hardware Compressors and EQ's, Mic's and the like. This is really the only way to get the full benefit of a good converter setup. So, if you are not going that route right now, the Ensemble will be more than enough for laying down your tracks. I wouldn't go too crazy with all of the additional 'bells and whistles', just make that hot music !!!

if you have a hot track, then it 'is what it is'. There's nothing wrong with getting 'higher end stuff', it just depends on where you're at in terms of what you intend to do; who you are presenting it too, and the like. I personally go for the 'High end' stuff because I make a living from it and the "Big bosses" want what they want. In reality, when you step up to the 'Higher end' stuff, the only way it really benefits you is if EVERYTHING you have in your signal path is of the same or similar quality:Monitors, Amps, Mic Preamps, Converters, Wires and Cables, Hardware Compressors and EQ's, Mic's and the like. This is really the only way to get the full benefit of a good converter setup. So, if you are not going that route right now, the Ensemble will be more than enough for laying down your tracks. I wouldn't go too crazy with all of the additional 'bells and whistles', just make that hot music !!!

Yipper. Well said, but keep in mind where you intend to go in hte future. I have bought gear that I needed to replace the next year cause things stepped up beyond it's capabilities. So from an investment standpoint, which you should consider for all your gear, where does that investment stand for the future?

Also, Reub makes a good point you always have to consider...... 'Your studio is only as good as it's weakest link'. Again, something to consider for now and the future.

On another note, my guys album 'The Elixer' by DJ Green + EMS, was the greatest sounding indie album of it's year, even holding strong 2 years later, in my opinion it's sound quality is good to very good, and that was with a Sampson C03? through a modded ART Pro MPA and a Tascam FW1884 converting into Sonar.

You don't have to have the top notch to have good product, if it's hot it'll be hot even sounding kinda rough, if that's the case.

I think I've beat this one to death so I'll prolly leave it alone now.

Whatever you decide to do, you sound like you know what you need, want, can afford, and how what you are going to buy will benefit you.

That's the best way.

Well said. On to tha next...

really interesting to hear that people rate outputting from the the mpc (i use a 2500 not a 4000 like folk here) as analog into the ensemble.

would it be ok to ask a few questions?

a) if i output via the mixer and split my tracks up into bass (12) drums (34) etc etc then should i route these into the ensemble's preamps or the analogue inputs? im tempted by this route because i can tweak each of the tracks in logic (which i cant do with the spdif option-cant split it out)

b) if i take the signal out of the spdif into the apogee's spdif in- do i need any other bits and pieces? i might be getting confused but do i need to buy an spdif/wordclock card too?

Apogee has spdif in. 2500 has out, so you are ok.
You ll connect the 8 inputs as is, but in the 2 preamp ins, you ll use XLR adaptors.
The other two have 1/4 jack inputs.

Then in the apogees software you wont give phantom to these 2 inputs and you ll have a "line" signal same as the other 6.

I think thats the way!

mpampouras wrote:Apogee has spdif in. 2500 has out, so you are ok.
You ll connect the 8 inputs as is, but in the 2 preamp ins, you ll use XLR adaptors.
The other two have 1/4 jack inputs.

Then in the apogees software you wont give phantom to these 2 inputs and you ll have a "line" signal same as the other 6.

I think thats the way!

ok great. so i can take 8 tracks in. and with the spdif i dont need to worry about getting more gear?

have been saving for this unit for a few months and was about to swerve over to a fireface 800 at the last minute.

Spdif out of your mpc mirrors the two stereo outputs. So you send spdif to apogee, 2 more tracks.
Fireface 800 is quite as hot, as everybody says, but i think i ll go for the apogee too.

Let us know how the mpc is heard through the analog inputs of the ensemble.

Bumpatron...

im in the same dilemma.. sort of... except i have an mpc 3000....

ive decided to settle for the ensemble... but the lack of midi implementation kinda makes me nervous...

ive googled a little about it and i came up with the motu fastlane usb interface...

however, i keep reading about the fact that midi config between the mpc 3000 and logic can be hella fiddly... and i was wondering if the fastlane would be a step backwards in order to make my setup work properly...

i use several daws (and own several)... so if worst comes to worst ill have to switch daws ... but im wondering how you people go about setting a proper midi chain up...

is the fastlane worst then say, an rme ff800 with proper midi implementation thru firewire.. is it prompt to weird latencies!?