|
|
Post by svart on Feb 18, 2020 10:01:26 GMT -6
So I've got a chance to do some location audio, and I'm gauging whether I should go with a field recorder, or use an interface with a laptop. I'm leaning towards the interface and laptop for now since I can dual-purpose it later, and this work won't need to move around much (just interviews).
So what's the best 4 channel interface available for windows, to be used with Reaper.
I thought the SSL2+ would be perfect if it had 4 inputs. Why 4? 1x shotgun mic, 1x boundary mic, 2x lav mics. That would be the perfect solution.
It's been my experience with some field recorders that they're a little noisy when dealing with low output mics, so to consider a field recorder it'd have to be very low noise, especially since a lot of lav systems are a bit noisy on their own.
|
|
|
|
Post by subspace on Feb 18, 2020 10:36:16 GMT -6
Audient ID44 has 4 mic pres, Windows drivers and the best DAC of any of their interfaces.
|
|
|
|
Post by svart on Feb 18, 2020 12:02:58 GMT -6
Audient ID44 has 4 mic pres, Windows drivers and the best DAC of any of their interfaces. It seems to get good reviews as far as I can tell. I'm also looking at the MOTU M4, which is bus powered but has two less XLR inputs. It has two TRS line inputs which would work for the lav mics. Overall, I'm kinda underwhelmed by what's out there. |
|
|
|
Post by popmann on Feb 18, 2020 12:21:42 GMT -6
What am I missing? Nearly everyone makes a 4 banger? I only notice because i think its a super odd config to have such universal support. www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_Audio_Interfaces?sb=low2high¶ms=eyJmYWNldCI6eyJOdW1iZXIgb2YgUHJlYW1wcyI6WyI0Il19fQAnyway—if I were getting it for me, Id get the Steinberg thing with the transformers switchable in line. Only because I heard some clips-thought it sounded solid....they update firmware and drivers as needed on “both sides of the pond”....yamaha owned. You just need something with a good and frequently updated ASIO driver. While first party stuff ADDS DAW UI functionality—like controlling the preamp gain inside cubase etc for steinberg....reaper just doesnt HAVE that....so, its just not an advantage. Its not required. Except maybe Avid. Never buy anything from avid hoping to use it with something besides protools, but they dont even USE ASIO on Windows OR CoreAudio On OsX. With USB, there wont be anything without a hardware mixer that ASIO dirct monitoring can control if’n you want it to. Those Presonus Thunderbolt things are the only interfaces that dare do that dumbassery. |
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 15,011 
|
Post by ericn on Feb 18, 2020 12:58:45 GMT -6
OK, Stupid question why are you defining your needs by a single gig?
This is a trap that the former gear pimp in me loved, because next gig you find you need 2 more inputs and .... This is where Eric’s first rule of consoles came from, always buy one size up from what you think you need. So my 2 cents would be find something used you can live with that has say 8 inputs that you can use either the built in pre’s or some outboard. Unfortunately my faves are all Mac based so your on your own.
|
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Feb 18, 2020 13:17:56 GMT -6
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2020 16:43:20 GMT -6
The MOTU 1248 has 4 pres but isn't portable. The Ultralite AVB is portable but has only 2 pres, 2 DI inputs, and 6 line ins. Unlike the M4, you can expand it into a future studio setup very easily with AVB networking and more MOTU interfaces. The DA is as good as the full rack interfaces but the AD and pres are a small step down.
RME Babyface Pro is the most reliable USB powered box but the sound sucks and it's not really expandable. The sound's small, soft, and smeared. It's very digital in a bad way. You're pretty much only going to use it for location recording. It's a tank and works on more computer and OS configurations than anything else.
You could always pull the trigger on the Merging Anubis or the Steinberg AXR4.
|
|
|
|
Post by nick8801 on Feb 18, 2020 16:44:19 GMT -6
I’ve always had great luck with the Focusrite stuff. I know it’s not the most popular around here, but I did a pretty incredible live jazz recording with an older Scarlet and a pair of Beyerdynamic mc930’s
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2020 16:46:08 GMT -6
Yeah the Focusrite Clarett 4pre is very good. Not the most neutral and doesn't work well on as many setups but it sounds better than RME.
|
|
|
|
Post by guitfiddler on Feb 18, 2020 19:16:00 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by johneppstein on Feb 18, 2020 22:21:36 GMT -6
OK, Stupid question why are you defining your needs by a single gig? This is a trap that the former gear pimp in me loved, because next gig you find you need 2 more inputs and .... This is where Eric’s first rule of consoles came from, always buy one size up from what you think you need. So my 2 cents would be find something used you can live with that has say 8 inputs that you can use either the built in pre’s or some outboard. Unfortunately my faves are all Mac based so your on your own. Whatever you think you need now won't be enough later.
Me, I'd go a minimum of 8.
Not only may you need more channels later, right now if a channel should happen to go down you'd be SOL with a 4 banger.
Whatever you get make DAMN sure that it has real 48 volt phantom. A lot of smaller, cheaper interfaces only ha 24V ore even 12V, and lots of mics won't run on those.
I see that Focusrite doesn't even give a spec for phantom on the Scarlett series on their website. To me that's a bit of a red flag, absent more info.
|
|
|
|
Post by svart on Feb 18, 2020 22:34:37 GMT -6
OK, Stupid question why are you defining your needs by a single gig? This is a trap that the former gear pimp in me loved, because next gig you find you need 2 more inputs and .... This is where Eric’s first rule of consoles came from, always buy one size up from what you think you need. So my 2 cents would be find something used you can live with that has say 8 inputs that you can use either the built in pre’s or some outboard. Unfortunately my faves are all Mac based so your on your own. I'm not. The gig calls for 2 channels, so I'm going with 4. My camera also has two channels and I use a breakout box for them as well, but I'm not doing camera here. |
|
|
|
Post by svart on Feb 19, 2020 11:49:21 GMT -6
And thanks for the opinions. I'll have to think on it a little more.
|
|
|
|
Post by notneeson on Feb 19, 2020 13:16:36 GMT -6
I've done it both ways— 4 channel interface running DAW on a laptop, and portable recorder.
After a while, the handheld device really won out for convenience. But 90% of the time I only needed a single mic for that gig.
|
|
|
|
Post by svart on Feb 19, 2020 15:04:10 GMT -6
I've done it both ways— 4 channel interface running DAW on a laptop, and portable recorder. After a while, the handheld device really won out for convenience. But 90% of the time I only needed a single mic for that gig. On this particular gig, I need to show a video and have the group narrate their parts of it. I think it'd be really easy to play the video in Reaper and just track them narrating it at the same time, so it'd be much easier with an interface and a laptop I'd think. |
|
|
|
Post by askomiko on Feb 20, 2020 3:23:31 GMT -6
SoundDevices units should be good as both an interface and a field recorder, with proper quality. And with timecode inputs/outputs if you ever find yourself in a video production.
Zoom units have all the nice features, but I'm not confident about the quality.
|
|
|
|
Post by notneeson on Feb 20, 2020 21:39:56 GMT -6
I've done it both ways— 4 channel interface running DAW on a laptop, and portable recorder. After a while, the handheld device really won out for convenience. But 90% of the time I only needed a single mic for that gig. On this particular gig, I need to show a video and have the group narrate their parts of it. I think it'd be really easy to play the video in Reaper and just track them narrating it at the same time, so it'd be much easier with an interface and a laptop I'd think. Yeah, I wouldn’t want to do narration without a DAW, either. Makes sense. |
|
|
|
Post by Blackdawg on Feb 20, 2020 22:30:20 GMT -6
If its interview's and location stuff. Id get a portable recorder like a Mixpre 6.
Why? Shit changes by the second on film shoots. You need be ultra portable and reliable. Filmmakers change their minds all the time with how they want to frame the shot and where they want the shot to be. You need to be as agile as possible.
I use a MixPre10-T with Lectrosonics wireless with DPA4060 mics and a Schoeps Boom pole. Everything is powered off of one batter that'll power 4ch wireless and 4 mics for 2 days straight. Carry extra double AA's of course which is the only battery I need to monitor.
If it was just location recording for concerts of some kind, PC and interface all day. But from my experiance in the production audio world with filmmakers you need to be ready to move any second to where ever they want. Laptop isn't that easy to pick up and just move around even though you'd think it is.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackdawg on Feb 20, 2020 22:32:12 GMT -6
SoundDevices units should be good as both an interface and a field recorder, with proper quality. And with timecode inputs/outputs if you ever find yourself in a video production. Zoom units have all the nice features, but I'm not confident about the quality. I agree with this. Then you'd have both options really plus a backup with the built in recorder(two if you use the SD card and the USB stick option). As far as quality, the SD micpre amps are very nice. The Zooms, are not I think. But I have an F8 as well. Does things differently but it is dark/cloudy sounding compared to the MixPre. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 2:59:45 GMT -6
Shoot me, but I have one of Uli's small bus powered audio interfaces, 2 in 4 out, also available 4 in 4 out, and with it's Midas pres it sounds totally OK for me, it's cheap, does the job and the drivers work totally stable for me. These "UHD" interfaces obviously compete with similar focusrites, but really - focusrites drivers have not been great always and whether you prefer seemingly more airy (or to a certain degree maybe even distorted?) or more in the face rolled off top end ( or call it "vintage" or dull if you prefer to describe it that way) is more of a matter of taste and how much money you have to spend.
I have no problem with these devices and made some totally OK test recordings, microphoe, line or DI inputs. Nowadays it is most certainly not the AD itself, but the analog frontend, and this IS most of the time more a thing of taste than quality. Of course YMMV... (and no, I am not deaf. I guess? ...)
PS: Actually, when I tested it with my 20x the price Bogart bass thru this thingies DI input and a nice Overloud amp emu, I did not expect anything great. Well, it was good enough to be astoundingly usable and I most probably will use this for my basslines in my upcoming project, so I can record without time pressure at home or wherever I am. Quite fascinating how far sound quality has come even with the cheapest gear nowadays, if there is not a blatant design error involved.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 3:22:02 GMT -6
Also, I guess the Motu M4 might be good value for the money. Sabre chips sound pretty good and I have been very pleased with my bigger Motu AVB interface, which is the same generation, I guess.
|
|
|
|
Post by johneppstein on Feb 21, 2020 11:24:32 GMT -6
Shoot me, but I have one of Uli's small bus powered audio interfaces, 2 in 4 out, also available 4 in 4 out, and with it's Midas pres it sounds totally OK for me, it's cheap, does the job and the drivers work totally stable for me. These "UHD" interfaces obviously compete with similar focusrites, but really - focusrites drivers have not been great always and whether you prefer seemingly more airy (or to a certain degree maybe even distorted?) or more in the face rolled off top end ( or call it "vintage" or dull if you prefer to describe it that way) is more of a matter of taste and how much money you have to spend. I have no problem with these devices and made some totally OK test recordings, microphoe, line or DI inputs. Nowadays it is most certainly not the AD itself, but the analog frontend, and this IS most of the time more a thing of taste than quality. Of course YMMV... (and no, I am not deaf. I guess? ...) PS: Actually, when I tested it with my 20x the price Bogart bass thru this thingies DI input and a nice Overloud amp emu, I did not expect anything great. Well, it was good enough to be astoundingly usable and I most probably will use this for my basslines in my upcoming project, so I can record without time pressure at home or wherever I am. Quite fascinating how far sound quality has come even with the cheapest gear nowadays, if there is not a blatant design error involved. I hate to say this but I'd probably take Uli's box over a Scarlett, given the number of problems I see with the latter over at GS. But then that's GS, so that needs to be considered..... And the Scarlett IS in its 3rd generation...... |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2020 15:18:36 GMT -6
Shoot me, but I have one of Uli's small bus powered audio interfaces, 2 in 4 out, also available 4 in 4 out, and with it's Midas pres it sounds totally OK for me, it's cheap, does the job and the drivers work totally stable for me. These "UHD" interfaces obviously compete with similar focusrites, but really - focusrites drivers have not been great always and whether you prefer seemingly more airy (or to a certain degree maybe even distorted?) or more in the face rolled off top end ( or call it "vintage" or dull if you prefer to describe it that way) is more of a matter of taste and how much money you have to spend. I have no problem with these devices and made some totally OK test recordings, microphoe, line or DI inputs. Nowadays it is most certainly not the AD itself, but the analog frontend, and this IS most of the time more a thing of taste than quality. Of course YMMV... (and no, I am not deaf. I guess? ...) PS: Actually, when I tested it with my 20x the price Bogart bass thru this thingies DI input and a nice Overloud amp emu, I did not expect anything great. Well, it was good enough to be astoundingly usable and I most probably will use this for my basslines in my upcoming project, so I can record without time pressure at home or wherever I am. Quite fascinating how far sound quality has come even with the cheapest gear nowadays, if there is not a blatant design error involved. I hate to say this but I'd probably take Uli's box over a Scarlett, given the number of problems I see with the latter over at GS. But then that's GS, so that needs to be considered..... And the Scarlett IS in its 3rd generation...... True, the older Scarletts seemed to have more struggles in the drivers. So probably the last generation is much better in handling and a bit better in sound. But this is reflected in the price structure, AFAIK 2nd generation is still available with lower pricing and Uli's boxes are incredible price/performace ratio in comparison and feel not that cheap at all, sturdy metal case and all ... The Scarlett sound IS more open and people seem to prefer this nowadays by a certain margin because they consider this a more expensive sound. This noted, the recordings I got thru the Midas pres take EQ quite well, when compensating the roll off as a matter of taste, the high end sounds not bad at all, so the advantage of the Scarletts is not that big, soundwise, if there is any ... If money does not matter at all, I would have got the new Scarlett probably, but money always matters .... |
|
