07-04-2006, 10:06 AM

Hi all,

I've recently moved from PC to MAC for recording music, I used to use an M-audio Fast Track USB with my old laptop which sort of did the job but wasnt great - I'm finding its even worse on my macbook, I just dont get the gain i'm after
I've thought about moving to a firewire interface but am not sure whether that will solve the problem. I'm looking at the m-audio firewire solo, but have heard mixed reviews about them. So my main question is to those mobile recording artists out there is what do you use and what has been your experience of the M-audio stuff?

Thanks

Clefty

07-05-2006, 03:51 AM

I've just started wrestling with this problem myself. I just returned a Fast Track USB and am now getting ready to return a FireWire Solo as it doesn't suit my recording needs, either.

You'll find all kinds of pros and cons on M-Audio's MicroTrack digital recorder but of these 3 M-Audio products, the MicroTrack recorded my nylon string guitar with perfect clarity--and I was using the mic that's included in the box. I was blown away by its performance and ease of use.

If you're recording your band, it may not be what you're looking for, but for recording solo guitar, it's wonderful.

Best,

Jane

Garageband all-loops "tunes" can be heard here: soundclick.com/icehouseguitar

07-05-2006, 04:21 AM

I use an edirol UA-4FX, used to work fantastically with my ibook and logic! It also had its on built in effects, btw its a USB interface.

07-05-2006, 05:35 AM

Thanks for the input, I had a bit more a play with this last night, and on its own the fast-track just doesnt give me the gain I need on an electro-acoustic, I think this is due to the lack of pre-amp. When I stuck it through my soundcraft mixer (and then into the fast-track) the sound was perfect, so that sorts me out for the moment, although I think I will invest in an interface that has pre-amps in, which will save me lugging loads of stuff around. just having a look at the UA-4FX looks like a nice bit of kit - what sort of instruments/vocals do/did you record with it?

Clefty

07-05-2006, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by clefty

Thanks for the input, I had a bit more a play with this last night, and on its own the fast-track just doesnt give me the gain I need on an electro-acoustic, I think this is due to the lack of pre-amp. When I stuck it through my soundcraft mixer (and then into the fast-track) the sound was perfect, so that sorts me out for the moment, although I think I will invest in an interface that has pre-amps in, which will save me lugging loads of stuff around. just having a look at the UA-4FX looks like a nice bit of kit - what sort of instruments/vocals do/did you record with it?

Clefty

It sounds like you've got things worked out.

I tried using my Fishman Platinum Pro D/I box with it but still couldn't get a sound that matched (or came close to) the MicroTrack.

I also tried plugging in directly, through an amp, every combination I could think of, and couldn't get the sound I wanted.

I play solo guitar and want to add my guitar with some tracks I've created on Garageband.

What do you think of the LightSnake? It sounds like a good idea but I've heard the kinks aren't yet worked out.

Best,

Jane

07-05-2006, 11:06 AM

Since you are guitar players I was wondering wether any of you use the native instruments guitar combo audio unit with your garageband/logic?

07-05-2006, 12:38 PM

Having looked at the Lightsnake, in principle it looks like a great idea for electric guitars, but I now think that anything that hasnt got a pre-amp in it is just useless for acoustic instruments, the fact that there is no DI or phantom power on that rings alarm bells - it would be lovely to be able to plug it straight in though.

I had a play around with the NI guitar rig when i was using a PC, nice bit of software - loads of great amp models, I've used a few bits from NI and have been very impressed.

07-05-2006, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by clefty

Having looked at the Lightsnake, in principle it looks like a great idea for electric guitars, but I now think that anything that hasnt got a pre-amp in it is just useless for acoustic instruments, the fact that there is no DI or phantom power on that rings alarm bells - it would be lovely to be able to plug it straight in though.

I had a play around with the NI guitar rig when i was using a PC, nice bit of software - loads of great amp models, I've used a few bits from NI and have been very impressed.

I hope that there will be more product development for Garageband gizmos.

Garageband is poised--or is it already?--to be the iPod of music recording on computers and they should have a killer selection of interfaces, mics, and other gizmos that are easy to use that provide superior clarity.

Most nylon strings guitarists' semi-pro recording set-up involves a nice set of mics and couple of pre-amp/mixer things that work with a version of Pro Tools or a PC-based recording software. They usually spend between 3 and 5K for this set-up.

My guitar music is recorded au natural and I'm referrring to the music, not to myself!

Jane

07-14-2006, 11:00 AM

At first I used the M-Audio mobile Pre and it was horrible. A lot of latency and noise. I bought the Line 6 Toneport UX 2 and as a guitar player am amazed at how awesome and versatile it is. i couldn't find a lot of reviews about it before i bought it, but I am so glad I did because it fit the bill perfectly. No more latency issues, great models, a lot of input options. i love it!

07-21-2006, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by nremondelli

At first I used the M-Audio mobile Pre and it was horrible. A lot of latency and noise. I bought the Line 6 Toneport UX 2 and as a guitar player am amazed at how awesome and versatile it is. i couldn't find a lot of reviews about it before i bought it, but I am so glad I did because it fit the bill perfectly. No more latency issues, great models, a lot of input options. i love it!

Thank you for the tip! I will take a look.

Jane