mic preamp with digital output?

[bgravato]

Since I need 2 xlr mic input on the preamp Im currently looking into the Inspire 1394 (firewire) and M-audio fast track pro (usb), they seem to be both around 250-300$.
The inspire seem to cut cost by substituting mechanical controls on the box with software control panels. Both seem to provide 48v phantom power, which I need.
Anyone has an opinion on either of these?

I don't know about those two, but I'm seriously considering buying an ART USB Dual Pre. Check it out! I've read good reviews about it and should be quite cheaper than the ones you mentioned. I might order mine tonight in order to get it friday.

[steve]

I'm seriously considering buying an ART USB Dual Pre.

I've never used one myself, but I've had first hand reports from people that do use these and they've all been good reports.
If you do get one, do let us know how you get on with it - we're always interested in first hand experience of hardware with Audacity.

[bgravato]

I'm seriously considering buying an ART USB Dual Pre.

I've never used one myself, but I've had first hand reports from people that do use these and they've all been good reports.
If you do get one, do let us know how you get on with it - we're always interested in first hand experience of hardware with Audacity.

I've just placed the order Can't wait to get my hands on it... If everything goes as expected I should get it by Friday.

I'll surely post my first impressions here along with some recording samples.

[waxcylinder]

I'll surely post my first impressions here along with some recording samples.

bgravato: can you also post a review in the overview format in this thread which we maintain on external soundcards that we know work with Audacity: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9477

I have the ART DJ-PreII phono-preamp which I use in conjunction with an Edirol USB souncard - I suspect that the phono preamp stage in your ART USB Dual Pre is probaly the same innards - you device will also have the integrated soundcard.

I have been very pleased with my ART pre-amp - I already had the Edirol soundcard and was using my wife's old Technics amp/pre-amp - but sadly that died so I had to get a replacement for my vinyl capture. If I hadn't already had my Edirol soundcard I would have very seriously considered the device you have just bought.

Looking forward to hearing how you get on with the device.

Thanks.
WC

[kozikowski]

A note here. Direct To USB, in my experience, tends to be a little wimpy in sound level. The manufacturer's are perfectly clear that of the two errors, only Too High is immediately damaging and fatal to the show. Too Low is a very minor inconvenience...maybe.

That and I see the spectre of Multi-Channel raising its head again. If the dual-channel MicPre prepares its work as left and right stereo, then you win. If it prepares the work as two independent mono channels, you can only use one at a time -- at least in Audacity.

Koz

[bgravato]

Got my Art USB Dual Pre today

I already posted it in other thread earlier today but here it is again for those not following that thread...

I only had half hour to play with it and I probably won't have much time till sunday to get back to it, but here is the first sample recorded on linux: 31-art-usb-dual-pre-sample1.flac

I'll post some more when I have more time... Still need to try it on the mac, but should work fine too.

Enjoy!

[jonasjar]

Hi again, so far I think I've narrowed down to Edirol ua-25ex and Focusrite saffire 6 usb. Both units looks pretty good on paper, a little downside with the focusrite is that its a usb 1.1, which I guess means max 12Mb/s. Could this be a problem on a 2 channel unit? Dont know much about bit rates but 12 Mb (is that in either direction?) sounds adequate for a stereo input, and possibly monitor background sound from audacity. I must confess Im a little surprised at the seemingly low number of posts regarding soundcards on this forum, provided the presumably high numbers of home recording people that are using audacity.
/J

[whomper]

i have a ua25ex and a emu0404
but i will run them with usb2

my understanding is that neither works with audacity
because of driver issues
(could be wrong - i am using audacity with built in realtek and soundmax on the old pcs)

in the long run i play to run sonar 8.5 ( 9, 10 ??) when i finally set up my mini home studio for recording and composition

i would say skip the focusrite and go for the faster interface

[jonasjar]

Have you tried the ua25ex with audacity and not got it to work? Could you elaborate on that?
Im also using realtek currently but is not overly happy with it.