Hi. I'm thinking of upgrading my gear for the first time. I now use a mere Presonus Firestudio Project. I'm looking into getting rid of it and getting a Soundcraft Spirit M12 mixer and an Echo Audiofire 12 in replacement.
#1 I would have more channels and routing capabilities
#2 Sound a lot better, I bet.
however, since I'm new to a lot of this, I want to test it out in my lil' home studio before I make the plunge. If anyone has either of these for sale or is in the Chicago area and wouldn't mind lending or renting ($) it out to me for a day or 2, I'd be very appreciative.
WTRent (& potentially buy) Spirit M12, Audiofire12
Moderators: TapeOpLarry, tomb
Man I had this exact same setup a couple of years ago and it was awesome!
The only thing is of course I found myself wishing I had more channels. the preamps on the M12 are nice and punchy, the signal path of both is really really clean, and the echo converters are excellent for the price... The only reason I got rid of it is I upgraded to a larger format console..
The only thing is of course I found myself wishing I had more channels. the preamps on the M12 are nice and punchy, the signal path of both is really really clean, and the echo converters are excellent for the price... The only reason I got rid of it is I upgraded to a larger format console..
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themagicmanmdt
- george martin
- Posts: 1347
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:47 pm
- Location: home on the range
Echo products:
I talked directly to one of the circuit designers a while ago.
Some interesting facts:
Assembled / QC in US
The old Echo 24/96 and the new '3G' and Audiofire lines are the same converters and chips! All models are exactly the same, with the difference being either firewire/PCI, and the newer Echo products are PC powered, and don't have an internal power supply you need to hook up to. The further away any type of AC or power can be from the converters and circuitry, the better.
So, I use the Layla 3G. It's AMAZING. Crystal clear. I can switch at my board back and forth 'straight from the mics' then 'back from the computer', and I can't tell a difference AT ALL.
I'd just make sure you've got a halfway decent computer PSU. Something 400V and above.
When using the Layla, I found that any USB flash drives (and my product key) were intermittent using the rest of my comp's USB ports. I got an external powered USB 2.0 hub, and it works great.
Long post short:
Echo is fantastic.
Crystal clear, no coloration whatsoever.
Best product support - you can call and speak to anyone anytime. They host drivers and manuals for products LONG since discontinued.
Make sure you've got a decent computer PSU for anything computer powered.
Think about an external USB hub for dongles/licenses/flash drives.
And, no, I don't work for Echo. It's just great stuff.
I talked directly to one of the circuit designers a while ago.
Some interesting facts:
Assembled / QC in US
The old Echo 24/96 and the new '3G' and Audiofire lines are the same converters and chips! All models are exactly the same, with the difference being either firewire/PCI, and the newer Echo products are PC powered, and don't have an internal power supply you need to hook up to. The further away any type of AC or power can be from the converters and circuitry, the better.
So, I use the Layla 3G. It's AMAZING. Crystal clear. I can switch at my board back and forth 'straight from the mics' then 'back from the computer', and I can't tell a difference AT ALL.
I'd just make sure you've got a halfway decent computer PSU. Something 400V and above.
When using the Layla, I found that any USB flash drives (and my product key) were intermittent using the rest of my comp's USB ports. I got an external powered USB 2.0 hub, and it works great.
Long post short:
Echo is fantastic.
Crystal clear, no coloration whatsoever.
Best product support - you can call and speak to anyone anytime. They host drivers and manuals for products LONG since discontinued.
Make sure you've got a decent computer PSU for anything computer powered.
Think about an external USB hub for dongles/licenses/flash drives.
And, no, I don't work for Echo. It's just great stuff.
we are the village green
preservation society
god bless +6 tape
valves and serviceability
*chief tech and R&D shaman at shadow hills industries*
preservation society
god bless +6 tape
valves and serviceability
*chief tech and R&D shaman at shadow hills industries*
I do actually you can just go to www.myspace.com/thesleepwalkersband
and listen to down with baby and vc baby... those two were recorded with that setup.
I did use a few outboard pres also (sytek, vintech 72, and solo 610) so maybe it's not a completely fair representation. Oh and it was mixed in Cubase, not on the M12...
and listen to down with baby and vc baby... those two were recorded with that setup.
I did use a few outboard pres also (sytek, vintech 72, and solo 610) so maybe it's not a completely fair representation. Oh and it was mixed in Cubase, not on the M12...
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Grahambo!
- steve albini likes it
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Which version of "Down With Baby" was recorded with that set-up? Or were both? You have 2 on your myspace. #1 is obviously more polished. #2 sounds more like a nice demo.
I wish I could afford some outboard pre's too. However I can't. I just want the best bang for my buck. And I think the M12 + the Audiofire 12 would beat out my Presonus Firestudio Project in terms of sound quality. Am I wrong?
I wish I could afford some outboard pre's too. However I can't. I just want the best bang for my buck. And I think the M12 + the Audiofire 12 would beat out my Presonus Firestudio Project in terms of sound quality. Am I wrong?
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