Computer recording interface options

what up peeps. i'm looking at some interfaces to record into my pc. im gonna be getting an e-mu 1212m pci catrd but i still need more inputs. have any of u used the Motu 828MkII ?? just wondering. im also looking at the Behringer ADA-8000. any feedback?? any other recommendations? peace

digi002, thats what im lookin into. save your money and get the best thing out there.

it doesnt have all the inputs i need. i need more than 8. plus that $2000 is STEEP the motu has 20 inputs. the behringer has 8 though

vakseen wrote:it doesnt have all the inputs i need. i need more than 8. plus that $2000 is STEEP the motu has 20 inputs. the behringer has 8 though

Get the 002 rack then. Its a G, with some converters you can track 18 parts at once. 8 analog/8ADAT/2spdif.

but would i NEED those converters? i plan on just tracking my mpc outs, motif rack outs and my microkorg

vakseen wrote:but would i NEED those converters? i plan on just tracking my mpc outs, motif rack outs and my microkorg

You dont really NEED anything, but it makes life easier for tracking and monitoring. The cool thing with PT is that it comes with the software, a basic midi interface, and an ill audio card. You can go with a patch bay into the 002 or you can track the Motif with the digital ins and outs, and the MPC with the analog. If you are tracking the Mo via analog you are going to have to use the Pre Amps or get some direct ins, becuase it just doesnt have enough juice to give you a good signal with out them. What a pain in the ass especially considering there are 6 outs on the MO! If you have the 4k you can run the ADAT out right into the 002 for 8 channels. I dig Pro Tools a lot and can honestly say believe the hype!! Nothing can beat the editing power of it, and its so damn easy to use and learn. Logic is not so logical to me, and DP just gave me a headache. Try em all out though.

You already know where I stand. The 1212M allows for 12 ins and 12 outs through ( 8 ) ADAT Optical, ( 2 ) 1/4", and ( 2 ) S/PDIF. Now realize you cannot use the ADAT opticals and S/PDIF simultaneously so that is reall only 10 ins and outs. For the price of the Motu or Digi002 you can get 2 1212M cards and 2 Behringer ADA800. That will give you 20 tracks of simultaneous recording. The thing you do not get is PT, but I use Nuendo which is just as good in my opinion. The Motu is a nice piece which is probably the best for the buck unless you have enough PCI slots for two 1212Ms. If you don't, I would get the Motu piece and a Behringer ADA800. If I'm not mistaken the Motu piece has ADAT optical I/O as well. That is how you get your 20 inputs, but once again you can only use 18 simultaneously. So here's the conclusion:

E-MU 1212M $199 + Behringer ADA800 $229 = $428
Motu 828 MkII $749 + Behringer ADA800 $229 = $978
Digi002 $999 + Behringer ADA800 $229 = $1228

*Each one would need a Behringer ADA800 or the equivalent in order to
utilize the 8 channels of ADAT optical.
**The Digi002 does come with the adored PT sequencing software.
***S/PDIF cannot be used while running ADAT opticals

Hope tha helps,
D. James

thats a bet. i still have a little time to make my decision. see what i really want to go with. im just sooo tired of tracking 2 tracks at a time! i really appreciate the feedback fellas

yeah 2 tracks is a pain in the ass. i used to use a fostex mr-8 which had 2 ins and it drove me nuts. Takin like 30 mins to track a song. Then i got a m-audio delta card to go 4 at a time, but i hated it. I wasnt gettin the results i wanted out of it. So i just got a dps 12 off ebay which is 6 at a clip (im only talkin bout analog 1/4 ins). So hopefully this will be the most productive. I heard nothin but good things bout the 002 and the motu. but if i had too, i would go wit the digi.

yea dogs i had the same dilema for my recording and after a bunch of research the cream of the crop for my budget was protools 002 system.
Just make sure your pc is compatible because in the compatibility section on the protools site they are really picky about what system you need to use. I built mines by buying everything at www.newegg.com they got the best prices. Make sure you check this http://www.protools.com/products/compat/le/

the motu 828 mk11 is killer. i run mine with a mac. 10 simultaneous inputs off the bat (two with mic preamps). good routing possibilities (8 outs plus main stereo). The mic pres also have insert points before going digital. No pro tools, but Works extremely well with Logic. You also get "Audio Desk" software which is an audio only version of Digital Performer (the only midi is for syncing) It's good if you never use softsynths.

Definately worth considering if you run a mac.

oh - smpte/adat/spdif/midi in out etc...

I can run ADAT and SPDIF at the same time on the 002.

cant on the motu

so that would def be a difference. thats for this feedback again fellas. ur def helping in my decision

TheMPCRipper wrote:I can run ADAT and SPDIF at the same time on the 002.

For Real? I guess it must be how the card is setup up. I have S/PDIF RCA and optical I/O on the 1212M. The optical I/O is swappable between ADAT and S/PDIF so that may be why you can't use them both at the same time with this interface. Cool good to know, thanks Ripper.