Spike users speak up

[rockstar_not]

Any Spike tracktioneers here?

I'm still shopping interfaces, and I'm almost convinced to go external USB or Firewire, particularly with T's dual machine licensing I could do my thing at home with my desktop, and then in the rare occasion I need to go remote, I could borrow my Dad's killer laptop now and then.

So, my list of interfaces to consider for my low-count input needs:

1. Spike - still don't know if there will be an upgrade path from non-spike T1, to Spike with T2 (this will be a deciding factor for me)

2. Edirol UA25

3. Tascam US224 (though this doesn't have phantom power as far as I can tell and that's a problem for me)

Looking for some 'yeah I use those with T with no problems' or ' here's the problems I have with x' kinds of comments.

-Scott

[darcyb62]

Hey Rockstar...

I am currently using a Tascam US122 and although I have been happy with it I have noticed that there is a bit of problem with lineout sound bleeding through to the line in. It's particularly noticeable when using click track. I've changed my workflow a bit to work around this issue, but it means an extra recording step.

I'm not sure if the US224 world have the same problem, but I would suggest you give it a try. I am considering moving on and I'm looking at the Behringer B-CONTROL AUDIO BCA2000. It's a USB2 product which should lower latency but to be honest The US122, which is just USB1, doesn't really cause any problems.

[timmyo]

I'm looking at the Behringer B-CONTROL AUDIO BCA2000.

I was looking at one of these but was put off. It got a really poor review in a mag recently (SOS ? I don't quite recall) - they said it was amazing on paper but not so hot in use (sorry to be so vague - I only skimmed the review in the newsagents )

Tim

[darcyb62]

Thanks for the tip timmyo... Looks like I'll have to do a bit more research. What did you get instead?

[timmyo]

This was only a week or so ago - I have held off for now (currently using my Guitaport and an old Creative freebie PC mike ! (which is great for acoustic guitar oddly - see here : http://www.timodonnell.co.uk/music/acousticideas2.mp3 )

I'm watching for others' opinions on this one too. I have been warned to avoid anything USB 1 due to latency issues, but then Spike seems to have an OK reputation so perhaps it's not so clear cut. I just wish the Firewire stuff was cheaper . . .

[bk]

I have been warned to avoid anything USB 1 due to latency issues

That's not necessarily true...I run a USB1 device quite reliably at 2 mSec latency. It's all in the drivers. While I do agree that USB2 should give you technically better performance, it's not a necessity, especially with a 2 input soundcard. If any of those devices are 4 input, then yes, that's a stretch for USB1.

[timmyo]

I have been warned to avoid anything USB 1 due to latency issues

That's not necessarily true...I run a USB1 device quite reliably at 2 mSec latency. It's all in the drivers.

That's good to know - I was hoping it wasn't that clear cut as there are so few USB2 devices out there and all the FW stuff is much more £££

[rockstar_not]

I'm looking at the Behringer B-CONTROL AUDIO BCA2000.

I was looking at one of these but was put off. It got a really poor review in a mag recently (SOS ? I don't quite recall) - they said it was amazing on paper but not so hot in use (sorry to be so vague - I only skimmed the review in the newsagents )

Tim

I think this is in CM83 - February 05 - had a pretty dim view of the Behringer.

-Scott

[timmyo]

OK a little more trawling threw up that there are some cheaper FW devices:

PreSonus Firebox
M-Audio FW Solo

The latter might do for me actually . . .
That and a Behringer BCR or BCF added later (which apparently ARE good) and I'm good !

OK sorry to hijack your thread a bit there, but it may give you something else to consider and it gets you a bump

[bewing77]

1. Spike - still don't know if there will be an upgrade path from non-spike T1, to Spike with T2 (this will be a deciding factor for me)

-Scott

This is something I really would like to know as well. I am shopping for a simple interface for my home computer and Spike seems good, but it all depends on if I could upgrade my T1 to a Spike with T2.

I'm looking at the Behringer B-CONTROL AUDIO BCA2000.

I was looking at one of these but was put off. It got a really poor review in a mag recently (SOS ? I don't quite recall) - they said it was amazing on paper but not so hot in use (sorry to be so vague - I only skimmed the review in the newsagents )

Tim

Defenatly stay away from the BCA. I have used it but returned it since the drivers are basicly crap. CPU-spikes, WDM driver isn't really working at all, high latency, random blue screens etc. Tried everything to get it to work because it's a great interface in theory with alot of nice features at a great price, but it's really kinda useless in practice.

[rpc9943]

I've currently got a tascam Us428... Eh its okay. I think eventually I want to sell my mackie mixer and my tascam interface and get like a mackie Onyx or something, which is like an analog mixer then you buy a firewire card for it to be all digital ins. HOW COOL IS THAT?

[Mr. Tingle]

UA-25 works fine with my laptop. Easy.

[rockstar_not]

UA-25 works fine with my laptop. Easy.

and I've heard your tracks Tingle; which I like - alot (robot voice says: Trackshon.........Trackshontoo) - so will I sound as good as you if I get the UA-25?

-Scott

[Mr. Tingle]

ahh, now that remains to be seen!

[Mr. Tingle]

most of the time I use ASIO4ALL and use soft synths and samples, but when I do need to record guitar/bass/voice the UA-25 is straight forward and dependable.