At the moment we don't use any softsynths, but I'm working to change that. If we're able to, we might go all out and do PT11 when it releases, but we might have to sell one of the guitars. We do need to get a move on though. Our PT setup loses value by the day.

Guitars:
Godin Summit CT (Natural Finish)
Homemade 2-P90 Strat
Martin D-15M
Washburn F-21 (tuned to open C)
Yamaha cheap fretless bass

Amps:
Fender 1967 Super Reverb - Got this as a gift in the 80's and I will be lugging this heavy bitch around with me for the rest of my life.
Vox AC15C1 Red

Recording:
Small home studio based around Sonar 6 Producer Edition that I wish I knew how to use better.

Hand drums (these don't get much use these days):
LP Matador Bongos
West African Djembe

db bump

Guitar:

Ibanez Jem 7D BK
Ibanez J-custom 5-vv

Gear:
ATM: flextone 2 (Line 6)
In 2 weeks: Axe-fx 2

Recording:
Logic 9 studio

Nice list. Sorry to hear about the saffire converters, I was thinking of looking at one of those. I'm not on PT10 at home yet, I'm actually still at 8 but have been wanting to finally update.... just kinda expensive now and if I do, I'm going to want to upgrade my interface. At work we have 2 rigs with 10, the rest are 9. I love PT, I just hope the transition to 11 and 64 bit world isn't too rocky.

As far as hardware synths, or outboard in general, I tend to agree. I'd much rather work out of the box as much as possible. I tend to visit gearslutz and the duc a good amount but don't have an account.

I spent a good 3 years on both gearslutz and duc when I first started engineering, but haven't had been in quite a while. I'm so far behind in the gear game as far as current stuff goes that I don't mess with it too much. I'm sure I'll be at both a lot when the new setup gets built.

I think the big thing about the saffires is that they are top level prosumer (I hate that term) gear. The pre amps are usable but not at all good, the converters are not good by measurement (there's a thread on gearslutz - converter shoot out or something) or to my ears but the real issue is that it just pretty much underperforms in every regard compared to the RMEs and better I've used. You also need the monitors and room to be able to hear your converters, and I'm not trying to claim it's so bad it holds me back or anything. I just want something that performs better.

That said, I saw a pro 14 for 180 bucks the other day. The 40 I saw used for maybe 260 once. Check ebay? Other than that or a used fast track pro I cant think of something sub 200 bucks that doesn't completely suck. There are some motus that are decent. They don't work well on pc though if that's your system. A lot more bang for your buck on used interfaces and they usually just sit in a studio in a rack or on a desk. RME stuff is really really good if you want to check out something a bit nicer, and then there's the really high end.

anyone know the answer to this?

Instrument cable from guitar to 1/4 mixer input imo.

Your crappy usb box should have an input volume control. If not, you can control the input level using the Windows mixer on your computer (control panel >> sounds and devices >> volume >> advanced).

Guitar to mixer input, use an instrument cable.

I'm talking mixer to USB input

It will depend on what outputs the mixer has.

Mine has TS (Tip Sleeve - Mono) in which case it's a 1/4" speaker lead and it also has Record Out which is RCA Stereo outs (like the red and white ones on TV's and DVD's etc).

There are others as well like cannon/XLR outs which are like microphone leads, also digital outs etc (which is unlikely in this case).

Do you know what type/model mixer it is?

Then I am assuming it is just a 1/4" into the USB converter?

Before I started down my entrepreneurial path I was almost done with a degree in audio production (and business admin). I just have a few credits left but as long as I own businesses I probably won't be going back.

I'm going to be setting up a studio in the spare bedroom of my place now that I have a bit of time on my hands again. I'm not going to be doing anything involving major construction but it will end up sounding pretty nice I think. I'll try and post pics. The only actual instrumental stuff I own atm is a djembe and my percussion mallets from percussion in college but I've been doing a lot of electronic stuff off and on since college. I own an OHM 64 MIDI controller, a Roland MIDI keyboard, a pair of Mackie HR624s and a bunch of software. Ordering new monitors very soon hopefully. I plan to do a lot more now that I've got time. I'd really love to buy a vibraphone and/or marimba sometime too.

Yeah we have a couple RME Fireface 800s at the studio I work and that is definitely what I'd prefer to get for my modest home setup but I don't really have the budget for it at the moment, hence why I was peeking at the saffire's. I had a feeling they must be mediocre for the price. Thanks for the input.

....side note; another studio I do side work out of just got some Barefoots Curious to hear what some of the old mixes sound like.

if i need a basic like audio interface, anyone have any recommendations? ... looking to spend like less than 200 ..


found this one on amazon http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-9900-6...E/ref=pd_ybh_5

mostly gonna be guitar and vox and some bass but not all at the same time..