Plan to get a good audio interface

[Raqe]

Hey Softies !

Several months ago, i planned to get a good audio interface so i can record demos for my band and myself at the comfort of my own home.
And i recently decided on getting YAMAHA Audiogram 6 which is now on offer at S$219.

Now the problem is i came across a thread discussing about Zoom Digital Audio Handy Recorder and it really got me thinking if it would be better to invest in that.
I understand the Zoom H4 and H4n can be used as USB Audio interfaces but i think it's alil to off budget for me right now and considering getting H2.

I need your opinion it's driving me nuts!

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

aint the yamahao audiogram an audio interface as well?

after briefly going thru the yamaha audiogram spec, imho, you wont have to consider that. Its a usb1.1 device?? Extremely back dated i thought.

To have a better recommendation, you will have to roughly know what you want to do for the recording(budget, way of recording, either multitrack, overdub, mic up, into interface straight without mic etc)

I dont think the h2 can do direct mic/instrument recording. If recording bands and solo, that, is a must, on top of the ability to record off the built in mic of the h2

heh, dont get confused yet, there be more things to get confused for actual recording itself after getting the audio interface and working in your software of choice for recording.

 

[exin]

Hey Raqe,

I was using the Zoom H2 for a short period of time. It's a handy device to lug around and the memory is expandable via SD card. So how much you can record is how big your SD card size it. Quality is good. Captures sounds nicely. It CAN be used as a direct mic recording, say if you mic-ed up your entire band via a mixer and from the mixer tape out to the H2.

Regarding the Yamaha Audiogram, i would you rather get a Presonus AudioBox if you have say $50 more to spare. Comparatively the Audiobox wins Audiogram in terms of preamp quality and recording capability hands down. Compare the specs and you will know, the Audiogram can only handle 16 bit recording, not really the standard if you want to talk about recording. While the Audiobox handles a max of 24bit/44.1/48khz recordings.

And both are USB 1.1. I won't elaborate more on the USB 1.1 but it's not outdated. Even the Audiobox USB is runs on a USB 1.1., alot of USB Audio interfaces runs on USB 1.1 There's a theory behind this why they decided to use the 1.1 instead of 2.0, it all boils down to compatibility.

I think ultimately the question to ask yourself is the applications of the device. It's hard because i understand you want to use it for a wide range of applications. Say you want to record your band but you don't want to lug your laptop and the audio interface around, in such a case the H2 is definitely better. But say you want to record yourself and record demos but recording via the H2 and after which transfering to the computer is troublesome, in such a case you'd rather have the audio interface.

If i were you i'd go for the audio interface. After which get a mic to record your entire band if necessary if not you can always grab a stereo out from your mixer to the audio interface.

 

[Raqe]

Hmmm. i see i see.

Well, i think i am going for audio interface man.
I was also looking at the Presonus audiobox.

hmm, sim lim sq sells it ?
idk where to get it.

 

[gutturalpiss]

Anything > USB1.0 is adequate for DSP I/O. Bandwidth provided by FW400 and USB1.1 is more than enough. USB2.0 interfaces are attempts at gimmickry.

 

[Crown]

is the Presonus audiobox same as the Presonus firebox ?

 

[blueprintstudios]

Raqe :

H2 - 4 mics (2 x Stereo front and back), sd card standalone recorder. through the line output = stereo only. combine all 4 channels (unless you set only using front or rear mics)
as Audio interface, it only records 2 channels. (depending on the setting of front/rear mics again..) but you only get a short usb cable, so to fully use it as a mic on a stand kinda purpose you'll need a long USB cable, if not your laptop on a high table. but mics only. unless you force 1/8 earphone jack line in. what PatheinRaindropMoe/exin says is right, you can utilize the lineinput to record simple stuff like keyboards etc. or from mixer. I'm using the Zoom H2 for my videos @ www.gigvideos.com dated after 2008.

H4 - discontinued.

H4n - as stand alone recorder 2 audio inputs + 2 mic inputs (2x stereo). but in audio interface mode I heard only can use 2 channels again.. either mics or xlr inputs.

try www.hungbros.com

crown : http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=53

audiobox has 2 lesser inputs at the back compared to the firebox.
USB instead of firewire

 

[exin]

Hey Raqe:

The AudioBox USB are sold at several places. So far i know that Luthermusic and Resolution carries them. It's actually out of stock all over the island so i'm waiting for them to stock up.

gutturalpiss: I totally agree with you on the 2.0 being gimmickry. HAHA!


Crown: Check out the link that blueprints gave.

The Audiobox basically runs and records via USB while the Firebox records via FireWire400.

 

[Raqe]

thanks guyss!