Recommendations?: Firewire Sound with *quality* mic pre-amp

[pw]

I want to set up a laptop as a 'portable' recorder. So, my essential requirements are a quiet laptop, a good stereo condenser microphone, and a very good audio interface with 2 high quality mic pre-amps.

Any recommendations? Are the Mackie Onyx pre-amps as goos as they are talked up to be? Their Onyx satellite looks like a great solution for me if so.

I am happy for any suggestions.

Thanks,

Paul.

[LarsErik]

RME Fireface400.

[rockstar_not]

PreSonus Firebox. Be aware that the Onyx has no MIDI I/O, you'd have to buy that separately.

-Scott

[trixie]

I'd second the RME Fireface400 solution. If your budget is tighter, the Focusrite SAFFIRE could do quite nicely for you.

[dickiefunk]

I would also check out the Focusrite Saffire. The pres from this interface are from the focusrite green range. Also check out the TC Konnekt interfaces and Echo Audiofire interfaces!

[pw]

PreSonus Firebox. Be aware that the Onyx has no MIDI I/O, you'd have to buy that separately.

-Scott

I have midi I/O, and it is not necessary for me 'on the road'. Any comments on the onyx pre-amps in comparision to the others mentioned here?

[coreydavid]

I want to set up a laptop as a 'portable' recorder. So, my essential requirements are a quiet laptop, a good stereo condenser microphone, and a very good audio interface with 2 high quality mic pre-amps.

Any recommendations? Are the Mackie Onyx pre-amps as goos as they are talked up to be? Their Onyx satellite looks like a great solution for me if so.

I am happy for any suggestions.

Thanks,

Paul.

Portable? As in running off the batteries? If so, you'll need 6 pin Firewire. You'll have to use a PCMCIA card for the interface because there are very very few PCs with 6 pin Firewire. Macs aren't an issue BUT there are some reports that the MacBooks don't have enough current to "boot" Firewire interfaces.

See the note at the bottom of this page:

http://www.presonus.com/inspire1394sysreq.html

I just switched from a MacBook Pro to an Asus F8Jp. It saved me several hundred dollars, runs cooler, the screen opens up until it's almost flat (great for standing while playing keyboard or guitar), it's VERY VERY quiet and comes with Windows XP Pro. I'm using a Presonus Firebox at home. So far, it's rock solid. In a couple weeks, I hope to be playing live, again.

Hope that helps. It works for me.

[pw]

Portable? As in running off the batteries? If so, you'll need 6 pin Firewire. You'll have to use a PCMCIA card for the interface because there are very very few PCs with 6 pin Firewire. Macs aren't an issue BUT there are some reports that the MacBooks don't have enough current to "boot" Firewire interfaces.

See the note at the bottom of this page:

http://www.presonus.com/inspire1394sysreq.html

I just switched from a MacBook Pro to an Asus F8Jp. It saved me several hundred dollars, runs cooler, the screen opens up until it's almost flat (great for standing while playing keyboard or guitar), it's VERY VERY quiet and comes with Windows XP Pro. I'm using a Presonus Firebox at home. So far, it's rock solid. In a couple weeks, I hope to be playing live, again.

Hope that helps. It works for me.

I would like the option to run off batteries, but really, I would mostly use electricity. The thing is, I have been weighing up against a truly portable solution (from the Zoom H4, to the marantz, to the coming fostex one) in combination with a good mic (I wouldn't use the inbuilt ones too much), or, a laptop.

I will mostly be going to people, or having them come to me, to record instruments.

I can get a laptop pretty cheap through a connection, and it seems to me from my little reserach I could have a much better quality setup with a laptop for around the same price. More flexible, too, in all ways except for true 'field' recording.
Still I am somewhat undecided, but I think the laptop might be the way to go.

[pw]

any comments on the pre-amp quality, comparatively, between the Inspire and the Firebox?

[stag]

MOTU traveler or MOTU Ultralite.

[topaz]

mac or pc ?

[pw]

pc.

From suggestions so far, and my own research, I am most interested in:
-Focusrite Saffire LE (low price, but still the same pre-amps as their higher end product?)
-Mackie Onyx (looks impressive, and I have read several reviews that the pre-amps are nice, but I want some more user feedback)
-TC Electronic Konnekt 24D (seems like a solid package)

Realistically, around $500 is my budget, so the RME and MOTU are bit out of the range, but, can anyone vouch for their pre-amp and D/A coverter's quality as compared to the Mackie, Focusrite or TC equipment?

[pw]

And while we are at it, how about the Mbox 2 pre-amps?

[Hink]

fwiw the firestudio has much better pre's

[rainydays]

I'd vote for Presonus Firebox. It works great, and you will have four analog inputs which might come in handy.
I haven't actually tried the Mackie Satellite. But if it's as good as the 400F then I'd say it's a safe buy. The Onyx preamps are really nice.