Audio interface upgrade from iMic!?

[Hellbender]

One of the things my band has been mucking around with is capturing our rehearsals. Basically we run everything direct into a mixer, then connect to a Mac via iMic and record in Garageband. Pretty basic, but it kind of does the job.

My question is about upgrading the interface from iMic. Is it worth going to a USB interface like the Tascam or a M-Audio Mobile-Pre or Fasttrack... or is the improvement not that noticeable until you step up to a firewire unit?


Cheers

[jackwr]

Originally posted by Hellbender
My question is about upgrading the interface from iMic. Is it worth going to a USB interface like the Tascam or a M-Audio Mobile-Pre or Fasttrack... or is the improvement not that noticeable until you step up to a firewire unit?


Cheers Depends on what you want as an end result. There are many considerations. itty bit upgrade usually cost more in the long run. For my use usb was the right upgrade. Usually solo (Bluegrass/old time), wanted multi track, 2 inputs at a time plenty for me. Band situation 2 channels per person could become a large interface. If your planning to record the same way after the purchase (all mixed down to 1 or 2 channels out to pc, i assume imic is an analog/digital converter) you may want to save your money. The real benefits come from independent recording of each part and mixing (as often as you like) after. My usb good for me, you may be dissappointed until you get 8 inputs (or more) on firewire.


Here's my first project done track by track on a Lexicon Omega USB interface. Comes with cubase LE. At some point I can go back, do some clean up, and some more instruments, remix.



http://www.members.cox.net/jackwr

Hope this helps!

[Hellbender]

Thanks Jack. What you've said has confirmed my suspicions that going for a slight upgrade is only delaying the inevitable multi-input firewire interface.

And what I'm after at present is much more about capturing rehearsals as a reference point rather than as a genuine recording.

[jackwr]

Just reference or so I don't forget the little lick later kinda recording I just use my mini disk on the tape out of the mixer. Too easy.

[Rimmer]

Originally posted by Hellbender
Thanks Jack. What you've said has confirmed my suspicions that going for a slight upgrade is only delaying the inevitable multi-input firewire interface.

And what I'm after at present is much more about capturing rehearsals as a reference point rather than as a genuine recording.

Tascam US-122's have just come down in price. One of those with a half decent condensors (maybe in OMNI mode) could be an improvement although if all you want is to record band demos, sounds like you might already have enough of an input to do it.

We usually record our rehearsals with my business partners MP3 player which has a built in mic. Doesn't sound like much but I tend to master the recordings a little and then produce a bunch of CD's for the boys. Works well...

Rimmer