Which Firewire Interface?

[Fat Elvis]

I am getting ready to buy a firewire interface for my mac. I want an 8 input interface that i will be running through garage band and logic.

I am looking at the:

Motu 8pre ($549)
Alesis io|26 ($399)
PreSonus Firepod ($499)

does anyone have any experience in these -- or any others with a mac?

thanks!

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

I own the Presonus Firebox- the Firepod's lil bro. I love it. However, I really wish I would have saved a couple hundred extra for the Firepod as I could really use the extra four inputs now. The cost of the Firepod now is barely over what I paid for my Firebox when it was new. I don't have any experience with Mac, so I can't help ya there- but you have one big Presonus fan here.

[parser]

I have the Presonus Firepod and an Imac. Its so friggin easy to record, I almost feel dirty doing it! I think Presonus still has a deal that if you buy the Firepod for $499, they give you a 4 channel headphone preamp. I also got a set of matched overhead condensors from the seller. Not to bad for $500!

I'm definitely in full support of this product.

edit - I just made a thread "punkish rock." That was done by putting 6 mics on the drums, then I just plugged the bass and guitar straight into the Firepod to track them instead of mic'ing the cabinets. COOL!

[Fat Elvis]

I have the Presonus Firepod and an Imac. Its so friggin easy to record, I almost feel dirty doing it! I think Presonus still has a deal that if you buy the Firepod for $499, they give you a 4 channel headphone preamp. I also got a set of matched overhead condensors from the seller. Not to bad for $500!

I'm definitely in full support of this product.

edit - I just made a thread "punkish rock." That was done by putting 6 mics on the drums, then I just plugged the bass and guitar straight into the Firepod to track them instead of mic'ing the cabinets. COOL!

well i will probably buy it at guitar center -- do you know where you get that deal?

i think the firepod is the way to go. gets a good review on musicians friend as well.

[parser]

It looks like the deal ended already. However, check this out -

http://cgi.ebay.com/PRESONUS-FirePod-NEW-A-D-Fire-Wire-w-Cubase-LE-EXTRAS_W0QQitemZ180090325122QQihZ008QQcategoryZ417 84QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They are offering a selection of stuff to choose "one of." The HP4 is the headphone preamp, but I see they are offering an Audio Technica AT-2020, which I've used for vocals and guitar cabs. Plus lots of other gear I haven't tried. Might be interesting.

[jordanz]

I use the MOTU 896HD http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/896/ and I love it. It's very easy to use and sounds great. Also, 8 XLR INs is nice.

[Red Hawk]

anything alesis is going to be very dependent on software... which is a bad thing. All the alesis stuff is pretty picky about what recording programs you use. It will work with a few, and not work with most, unless you have the ideal hardware/software/driver setup.

I'd stay away from pretty much every alesis product made, if I had a choice, excluding one, which is the DMPro drum module...

[Fat Elvis]

i am going to guitar center tomorrow to find out what my best deal is on the firepod. I will let you know what i find.

[Snowdogyyz]

I have the firepod, althoughI record on a PC, not a MAC. I LOVE it. Easy to use and very dependable. I've never had a problem. A good online place to try is:

www.sweetwater.com

They have good prices, excellent service, and free shipping!

In fact, here is the firepod:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Firepod/

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

I think Presonus still has a deal that if you buy the Firepod for $499, they give you a 4 channel headphone preamp. I also got a set of matched overhead condensors from the seller. Not to bad for $500!

Wow! That is a great deal. I paid almost $400 just for my Firebox about three years ago. Is your headphone amp made by Prosonus as well? I've been wanting to get that one for a while.

[parser]

Wow! That is a great deal. I paid almost $400 just for my Firebox about three years ago. Is your headphone amp made by Prosonus as well? I've been wanting to get that one for a while.

Yup, its the Presonus HP4. Presonus had a factory rebate where they'd send you one if you purchased the Firepod. All the sellers claimed the rebate was there own special offer, but not the case. I searched for sellers offering other free stuff (hence the free JM27 matched pair overheads) and just did the HP4 rebate myself. It took about 3 weeks to come in too!

[Fat Elvis]

bought the firepod today -- have not played with it yet, but i will tomorrow (live recording with the band). I got it for $440 + tax at guitar center. Not a bad deal. Im very excited -- thank you all for your help. I will let you know (and maybe hear) the results.

[parser]

Bravo! I know you won't regret this, so much fun. Now its time to learn Cubase - feel free to ask any questions about software...:)

[Fat Elvis]

Bravo! I know you won't regret this, so much fun. Now its time to learn Cubase - feel free to ask any questions about software...:)

actually i have logic -- and i know i will have tons of questions about that. :)

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

Congrats! I think that interface will serve you well for a long time.

Now have fun spending tons of money on cool mics and preamps. :)

Really, it's fun. hahAH!

[Fat Elvis]

Congrats! I think that interface will serve you well for a long time.

Now have fun spending tons of money on cool mics and preamps. :)

Really, it's fun. hahAH!

well, i got all audix mics....

and i scored the deal of a lifetime on XLR cables -- craigslist -- this is the ACTUAL deal:

17 (100 foot) XLR cables
3 (50 foot) XLR cables
2 (20 foot) XLR cables
1 (5 foot) XLR cable

most are new or almost new -- EVERYTHING for $50. Yes $50 -- not $500. Amazing. I have so many cables now -- i am going to look for some XLR ends and make a butt-load of 50 footers.

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

Crazy beans!


.....

[parser]

Wow, that's a huge deal on cables! Did you get the Audix F12 and F10's?

Since the FP came with Cubase, I haven't really considered any other software. That's probably pretty foolish of me, maybe I'll check out some others.

[Snowdogyyz]

Man, that was a great deal on the firepod. You will love it! As far as mics, I have the Audix D series and they are incredible. I have a D6 on the kick, D1 on snare, D2's on rack toms and D4's on floor toms. I got a really good deal from someone on them.. they were slightly used. I highly recommend the D6. I sold my Beta 52 after I bought the D6.... I didn't need it anymore after that!

[Fat Elvis]

I have a D6 kick mic
and then I have the F series for everything else:

F10's for snare and toms
F12 for floor tom
F15 overheads.

[dingbat]

Seeing how you've probably already done most of the research on this, and how I am in the dark about computer recording, what would be the difference between the Presonus vs. something like a firewire mixer such as the Alesis Multimix with 16 channels? Is it true that Presonus will record 8 tracks simultaneously, while the Alesis can only provide a stereo mix to the computer so that only two tracks can be recorded at a time?

[Fat Elvis]

Seeing how you've probably already done most of the research on this, and how I am in the dark about computer recording, what would be the difference between the Presonus vs. something like a firewire mixer such as the Alesis Multimix with 16 channels? Is it true that Presonus will record 8 tracks simultaneously, while the Alesis can only provide a stereo mix to the computer so that only two tracks can be recorded at a time?

well, what i indeed found out is that a lot of these interfaces are very software and computer dependent -- meaning that they use the processing power of your computer to record. The Firepod is so beloved because it puts the hardware load on itself -- which it handles nicely.

I hooked it up and am playing with it right now. My mac recognized it immediately -- no drivers to install. Garage band now shows 10 channels available -- i recorded a 3 mic set up (2 overheads and a kick) and IT SOUNDS AMAZING for only 3 mics. The quality is incredible and i think a decent demo will be in my future here in my own studio.

i cannot than everyone enough about the suggestion and i could not be happier!!!!!

[dingbat]

That's great, I can't wait to hear some noodling around the kit to see what the firepod can do!

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I just bought a MIDI Controller keyboard, the FirePod will be my next addition to my home studio. I have an iMac and Logic Express 7. I'm stoked.

[Fat Elvis]

I just bought a MIDI Controller keyboard, the FirePod will be my next addition to my home studio. I have an iMac and Logic Express 7. I'm stoked.

i also have logic express -- it scares me. I can get great results in garage band, but i really want to use the power of logic -- however, it seems so....... hard. Will i get better results with logic? And how hard is it to go from garage band to logic?

[fooleeze]

Hey, Fat Elvis, how you doin?

Just wanted to let you know that the soundfiles on my site are recorded through a Firepod. I'm very happy with it, as I'm sure you will be to. I'm no firepod expert by any means, and it was pretty easy for me to figure out on my own.

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

Fat Elvis - Very happy to hear you are happy with your new purchase. I tried Logic many years ago before Apple bought it and made it exclusive for Mac. From what I remember it was a bit daunting, but with the capabilities of the big dogs- Cubase, Protools, and Sonar. I personally use Sonar. I've used Cakewalk software since I was sixteen. I don't think it's available for Mac though.

If you think your Firepod sounds great as is, just wait until you get some dedicated preamps. I promise you, with quality pres the sound will only improve.


----

Re: firewire mixers

The firewire versions can send each track independently to the computer. The USB ones are limited to a stereo mix. However, you really don't need the features of a mixer when you are sending each track independently to the recorder. Usually that's for the mixdown after things have been recorded. If you plan on mixing 'in the box', you really don't need an external mixer at all unless it is a control surface for convenience. If you have outboard gear or want to do your final mix down through a 'real' mixer, the firewire mixers would be my choice for convenience.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Logic just takes a little getting used to. It's really pretty simple once you get used to it, but I will say that GarageBand, for a free programme, is actually pretty impressive. It's not bad at all. Basically the advantages with Logic are to do with the flexibility of the different effects and the easy flexibility of editing. Whilst GarageBand is good on a basic level, the functions of Logic are much more advanced. Take for instance the Reverb effects. With Logic you can (even with the standard modules) design the room space, with GarageBand you can't.

Logic isn't that hard really, it is a little tricky at first I'll admit, but once you learn the basics it's really really self explanatory.

I'm going to get you some screenshots of Logic:

[Fat Elvis]

thanks mfb. now if i could just tell what those screen shots do :)

actually i think i am going to poke around the internet for a logic tutorial. I know of a site that has some tutorials from time to time. But i can tell you, just from those screen shots, i need to learn logic -- it looks like i would have FAR more control than with garage band.

one thing concerns me with logic though -- with garage band i have all those software instruments and sounds (i have all 5 jam packs) -- will i be able to use those as well?

Basically what i am asking is -- can logic do everything garage band can do?

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

The software instruments on GarageBand are directly interfaced into Logic as well, so you will not lose those. Actually some of the GarageBand software instruments aren't at all bad. The majority of the Logic ones are fairly poor-ish sounding synthesisers, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to be able to work Logic.

In fact, these are some of the instruments that come bundled with Logic. I've highlighted the standard GarageBand ones just to show that you don't lose them:

[Fat Elvis]

cool! Thanks, my man...

im gonna play :)

[Snowdogyyz]

For anyone else reading this thread who wants to buy a firepod and use the included Cubase LE, there is a newer version out there of Cubase that does not record 8 tracks at once (Version 1.07 I believe). Try to get the older version of the software, which I think is 1.06 which does record 8 tracks at once. You can google Cubase and they also have a very useful forum that I have learned a lot from.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Just wait until you see Logic Pro. Holy christ that's a lot of sofware!

I might have a play too... I do it most evenings, sad I know.

Have fun!

EDIT: The new version of Cubase LE doesn't record 8 at once? Christ Blackbeard would be proud!

[Fat Elvis]

Just wait until you see Logic Pro. Holy christ that's a lot of sofware!

I might have a play too... I do it most evenings, sad I know.

Have fun!

EDIT: The new version of Cubase LE doesn't record 8 at once? Christ Blackbeard would be proud!

i may be able to get logic pro -- would you recommend that i learn that instead of logic express? Or is it too much to undertake?

[Jeremy]

I have logic express, and have been looking at a firepod. i really like that it puts processing drain on itself instead of the computer, but i've heard it has much more background hiss in the preamps than some other usb interfaces. do you notice anything like that?

also, logic is great. i started getting used to it by basically using it like garageband and playing around with all the other stuff until i figured it out. and this site helped A LOT. it's not quite a tutorial, but it's a tour kind of thing of what you can do in all kinds of stuff. there are a bunch of video links on the side of the page, and hopefully this will help.

http://www.apple.com/logicexpress/quicktour/index.html

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Don't worry about Logic Pro unless you're absolutely 100% in Logic Express. For home use/demo use etc there's just no need to use Logic Pro, plus it's an extra drain on your system. Logic Express is just fine and you can always just get extra plugins and patches if you want any more instruments. Logic Pro is extra $$$ at this stage, for quite a number of things which probably won't get used. Although it would be nice to have things like, say, a decent Multiband Compressor, the ones on Logic are just fine for most use.

Jeremey, I wouldn't worry too much about the pre's on the FirePod being too noisy. I've not heard enough noise in one when I've seen them used to warrant buying another interface. As far as I'm concerned, the FirePod is the way to go, although people must feel free to contradict me if they believe the case to be otherwise.

The FirePod is good also because you can easily daisy-chain them together if you want to. Get four FirePods, put them together and voila! 32 Channels.

[Fat Elvis]

The software instruments on GarageBand are directly interfaced into Logic as well, so you will not lose those. Actually some of the GarageBand software instruments aren't at all bad. The majority of the Logic ones are fairly poor-ish sounding synthesisers, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to be able to work Logic.

In fact, these are some of the instruments that come bundled with Logic. I've highlighted the standard GarageBand ones just to show that you don't lose them:

hey mfb.... i have been playing with logic express, and one thing i had noticed is that i dont have this long list of available instruments like you do -- i have basically garage band instruments and the jam packs i have installed available, but it appears that i dont have the logic express instruments.

was it on a different CD that i did not install? will i be better off with the garage band and jam pack instruments anyway? should i not worry about it?

also, i just looked -- i already own a copy of logic pro 7 -- should i just stick with logic express for now? It sounds like it might serve me better, but i thought i would ask since i looked in my archives and found it.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

Which version of Logic are you using? If it's anything lower than 7, then the list of instruments will be significantly shorter. I use Logic 6.4 at college and the list is a lot smaller. Remember to use the right sound module as well, although I'm sure you are. How old is your iMac? I got mine in November, and I'm assuming you got Logic at the same time as you got your Mac. Now I re-read your post, yes, I did actually get a CD of instruments along with Logic. Those are all standard issue.

On a side note, I got a free loops/instrument CD with an old magazine I found, but I have no idea how to actually get the instruments onto Logic. I'm not good with MIDI particularly. The Jam Packs seem pretty good, so for basic MIDI I wouldn't worry about not having a long list, I have a big list, but in all honesty most of those are cheesy synths I'll never use. If you already have the copy of Logic 7 Pro, put it on there. Not going to do any harm and the principles are exactly the same as Logic Express. Express is just the scaled down consumer version without some of the bells and whistles. Careful not to get dragged into all the effects features you'll never use, though.

[xush]

I just put Logic 8 on my new Macbook, and am shopping for interfaces presently.
Would you folks say the Firepod is still the way to go?
I'm going to be using it for studio and stage.
Looked at the Mackie Onyx for portability, but hoping for some updated input.
thanks

[Fat Elvis]

I just put Logic 8 on my new Macbook, and am shopping for interfaces presently.
Would you folks say the Firepod is still the way to go?
I'm going to be using it for studio and stage.
Looked at the Mackie Onyx for portability, but hoping for some updated input.
thanks

The firepod is great -- we have only used Garage Band with it. We actually bought 2 firepods and chained them together, but working with both of them together to have everything mic'd at once proved to be difficult for us. Its supposed to work, and I think it eventually did, but it was not easy. At least not for us. But for 8 inputs, the firepod worked great. And with Logic instead of Garage Band, the firepod may be just fine. I would recommend it.

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

The pres in the Presonus Fire(x) units aren't Neves, but they are good enough to get you going. Are they crystal clear? No, but they aren't wind tunnels either. I'd say the noise levels in those units are well maintained. Aside from my own personal experience, I've read mostly positive reviews of Presonus' interfaces. Those who didn't like them opted for something of higher quality (and cost), of which better results should be expected. I've heard plenty of great recordings made with them and I know some people use them in their small commercial studios. If you are really into recording, you should be adding on external pres to your setup as you can afford it. Engineers routinely bypass their console pres to use dedicated units- so can you. You could always buy a high quality dedicated A/D/A converter for your computer, then just use all external pres. I think the Firewire interfaces just offer something great to home recordists, and a nice foundation from which to build a better recording setup.

As for Logic, MFB is right. It just takes a little time to learn the interface. It is right up there in quality with all of the other big name programs such as Sonar, Cubase, and Protools. In any of those programs, you have complete control. They can be expanded with third party plugins which can give you so many options. There are lots of free and commercial plugins available. I use Sonar solely because I've been using Cakewalk software since Home Studio 6, which I bought when I was 16/17 around 95'/'96. I don't remember. It was a long time ago, and Cakewalk has pretty much kept the same layout but just improved the features, quality, and whatnot.

My band mate just bought an Apple notebook, and it came with Garageband. He's been doodling with it and it seems cool so far. I remember seeing it in use a few years back and was impressed with the quality. It's to be expected that it can't do everything the top programs can do. It's bundled with the Macs now because Apple knows everyone and their grandma are making records now so why not make it that much easier for them, and offer one more thing you won't find bundled with a PC (though plenty of free and cheap PC apps are available). It's about convenience really I think.

Now, my major problem is that I want my band mate to be able to work on mixes with me, on his laptop. Since he went with a Mac, we aren't compatible anymore. So far what I do is just burn a CD, then he rips it to his laptop and imports the stereo file into Garage band to do overdubs. This is not ideal. However, exporting each track in the mix out as a wav, then converting each to aiff is out of the question. Any of you work on songs cross-platform? Any tips? And no, I'm not buying a Mac. :)

[xush]

we've got a healthy preamp and mic collection at the main studio, so I'm just looking to setup my home studio so I can work on drumtracks when I'm here. I'd like them to be usable if possible, but most likely they'd be redone at the main studio if I can't find a mid-priced interface w/ decent pre's and converters.

I pretty much got the Macbook so I could do some work at home and trigger samples live.
My bandmates are up to speed on Mac, so I figured even though I'll have a lot to learn, I'm not on my own. Wish I had some cross-platform experience, but I don't really.

[Mediocrefunkybeat]

I figure get the FirePod. For what you need, there's no point in buying anything more expensive especially if you have your own pres somewhere else. You'll spend a lot more getting anything better and at the price range, the FirePod really is top of the class.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

This is news today....give it a look



http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/11/28/m.audio.fast.track.ultra/

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

I figure get the FirePod. For what you need, there's no point in buying anything more expensive especially if you have your own pres somewhere else.

I would agree. What you do at home can probably be used in the studio you have access to. Perhaps you could take a pre home or two for the weekend recording session. :)

This is news today....give it a look

M-Audio has done some cool stuff. Their Delta 1010 is still used and rock solid from what I understand. I'm tempted to get one of those when I have enough outboard pres to justify it. This new M-Audio interface looks interesting. There are 6 analog inputs, four of which have pres- and 6 analog outs. I'm guessing the other two analog ins are line-level in. Then there is SPDIF i/o if you have a digi pre or mixer. I'm not sure why they chose USB over Firewire. This is the first interface I've seen to use USB that can actually support more than 2 outs. The Firebox is pretty comparable to the Ultra (including the SPDIF connections, the Firebox is a 6/8 unit, not including headphone out).

There are two features on the Ultra that I think are cool. The first being two channel inserts so that you can patch in your favorite signal chain while you record. My Firebox has 6 outs that I can use to set up an FX loop of sorts, running recorded tracks through outboard stuff and then bring it back in. I haven't tried to do it while recording, but it may work that way as well.

The other thing I like about the Ultra is that it has two independent and dedicated headphone outs. I really wish my Firebox had that. However, what I plan to do is get a couple Y cables to plug into the back outputs, then hook the headphones directly to the Y cables. I can set up independent mixes for each set of headphones from within the software using sends. That comes in real handy when recording with your band mates.

I'm real curious to see the reviews about the Ultra after a few months. At that price point, it will be competing with the first gen Firepod and the Firebox. I'm sure it is a good unit though.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

There is a USB 3 in the making which will be faster that Firewire, so be patient.

[xush]

what about bandwidth though- I hear that's the killer on USB;
the higher bandwidth of firewire results in less latency.
USB 2 is close enough to firewire speed as it is, but the bottleneck factor because of lower bandwidth on USB can cause higher latency.
anyone want to confirm that?
I haven't used any of these yet, so I'm still learning.

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

USB 2 is close enough to firewire speed as it is, but the bottleneck factor because of lower bandwidth on USB can cause higher latency.

That was my understanding as well. USB 2 has the speed, much better than USB 1, but the bandwidth was lacking. I may be wrong too though. USB 3? Sounds cool. Obviously everything we use today will become obsolete. I can't wait for optical circuits to become the norm. However, I truly wonder when enough is enough. I mean, I get 2ms latency with my Firebox, even recording four separate channels at once, with a bunch of other channels and FX already in the mix.

Obviously faster and wider pipes of transfer will allow more i/o... but there are already solutions for tracking up to 24 (if not more) independent channels to a computer with no latency. New 64bit CPUs really offer a step up in performance, especially in the audio and video editing world. My next build will be 64bit, however, I'm going to use my current PC for as long as I can. For at least a few years I'll be able to source parts for dirt cheap if something does happen to take a dive. What spending money I get will go into more outboard gear. The more outboard gear I have the less plugins I'll end up using, freeing up more resources to allow more tracks- as if I really need more than 24 to 32 on a given song. The most I've ever used is about 45, but that was really pushing it.

24 to 32 tracks... That is so funny to think this is the way I think now. Ten years ago I was ecstatic to have a 4track cassette machine. I've gotten spoiled. That 4track is now a 3track thanks to a loan to a friend years ago. Maybe I should spend a weekend with it. Just one last time.

4track says, "Can I call you?"

I reply, "I don't think that would benefit either one of us."

[Oldie]

USB 2 has the same transfer speed on paper as firewire, but USB will load your processor more. I use a 18ch firewire interface (Mackie 16+2), it records 18 ch in 24bit resolution with no problems on a laptop. I even store the data on a firewire disk on the same chain.

/Oldie

[xush]

good info!

still educating myself- I'd like to ask this:
what is the output path to studio monitoring? Will the firewire interface work this way too, sending info from the laptop to the monitors?
How do you guys do it? I'm assuming the 'earphone' out jack isn't the optimal choice.
thanks

[Oldie]

Most, ifnot all interfaces have output aswell as inputs. Your audio program (DAW) can be set up to send monitoring mixes to any output. Cubase 4 has a controlroom matrix that let you set up almost any source to any output, pretty neat.

/Oldie

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

what is the output path to studio monitoring?

Since I'm using Altec speakers right now, and they use an 1/8" stereo plug, I plug them into the headphone out of my Firebox. I also plug my headphones in there. However, the Firebox has 6 outs, not including the SPDIF. For a while I had my PA hooked up to it simply by running two 1/4" speaker cables from the outs on the Firebox to the mixer on the PA. Worked great, but my PA speakers aren't great for mixing. I could set up a few different monitoring sources, and send them each a different mix.

As oldie said with Cubase, Sonar has similar features. There is the main track area where you have all of your individual audio and MIDI tracks. Then there is the BUS section, which can simply be used as AUX sends for FX or as monitor outs. Each bus can be routed to outputs on the Firebox or to another bus. I set up one main Master bus for everything. Individual tracks, submixes, and AUX returns are fed into the Master bus. I could also set up something like- Headphone 1 mix and Headphone 2 mix, and feed those to separate outs on the Firebox so my band mate and I could have separate headphone mixes. I can also assign a separate output for each individual track. This is very useful for setting up external FX loops with some outboard gear. Simply send the signal out of a specific output on the Firebox, completely independent of the Master mix, run it through whatever outboard gear, then bring it back on an input and record it to a new track.

That trick came in very useful on my current recording. When I recorded the bass, I did it through my Bass PodXT. I fed my PC the model output as well as the DI (unaltered) signal to separate tracks. Well, while mixing my band mate and I decided the bass needed more grit. So I sent the DI track out of the Firebox, back through the Pod with a different model, and back to the PC. The end result was a blend of the first and second modeled tracks. I'm going to reamp the guitar track to get some ambient room mics on it, and I'll set it up the same way.

If your software supports it, the nicer Firewire interfaces act as your mixer- not just an A/D/A converter. That's why I say there's no real need for a mixer when you are starting out with such an interface.

[saocir]

this is a stupid question haha, i want to buy the ALESIS I/O 26 interface, but I don't know if i can connect my drum mics with xlr mic cables, because the input in the pics looks kind strange.

thanks