Mackie Satellite recording interface...

[Brian blaut]

I'm in the market for an external audio interface. Firewire or USB, but leaning toward firewire. I just discovered this one and I really want it. Anyone use it? Have anything to say about it? Street price is $199 which is a nicer price than Presonus's Firebox, and it has more features...

http://www.mackie.com/products/satellite/splash.html

[Skully]

I looked at this before and I was really excited about it until I figured out that the soundcard (both in satellite mode or in the dock) can record a maximum of two tracks at a time. Most of the time, I only record one or two tracks at once, but I now use six tracks to record drums, and I simply like having the option of having the option to record more than two tracks at once. YMMV.

[StuH]

No midi io, no spdif io, and only two analog inputs active at any given time. If all you plan on doing is mic, instrument and line level stuff looks like the cat's a** but wouldn't necessarily say it has more features than the Firebox.

The firebox has two high z mic/instrument inputs with 48v phantom power, two 1/4inch line level inputs, one spdif input, and one midi input. All can be active at any given time. Plus 6 balanced 1/4 analog outputs, one midi out and one spdif out.

So sacrifice no midi interfacing, no digital coax interfacing and the ability to record 6 simultaneous inputs, for a dockable unit (pc/laptop), a studio control mic, and only able to record two inputs at any given time.


EDIT) same thing Skully says, see we posted at just about the same time. And everyone says they don't need a midi input, just worried about guitars and mikes.........hogwash I say..........essential part of the process IMO

[ibobunot]

Anton Pukshansky records with the line out jack of a Valvetronix AD30VT into a Mackie Satellite and gets some very good results with it.


Anton P

[Skully]

I'm sure you can get great results with it, it just severely limits options while the first glance at the ad copy suggests you're getting more options. A Firebox has more inputs, etc., and it's just as small as the Onyx satellite and can be powered by the firewire interface.

[Brian blaut]

well perhaps I jumped the gun claiming more features. I guess what I meant was, it has added features that I care about :control room out and metering levels versus just a clip light; minus features I don't use (more than two inputs, spdif) and minus midi (I don't mind and actually prefer a separate midi cable as I keep these two things separate.) I guess its all relative.

I'm hoping to confirm that it is a great little box or if its crap and a waste of money.

Your probably right in that I should just go ahead with the Presonus, but its an extra $100 for features I doubt I would need...(and I don't like the presonus inspire simply because I like actual gain/level knobs).

Oh well, I'm in no hurry. Thanks for your responces. In the end I may choose somethting else altogether as its in my wallet's best interest to spend $200.

[StuH]

Brian one thing to mention regarding seperate audio cards/slash interfaces for seperate midi and analog. You cannot operate more than one audio interface using ASIO drivers at the same time. You can do this using WDM and MME drivers though but the drawback is higher latency.

Switching between interfaces will physically require you to change your audio preferences in your recording software each time. Not necessarily a huge deal, more a pain in the a** issue but be cautious as two seperate audio interfaces/cards residing within the same recording system is a common cause for conflicts.

The metering/clipping indicator does not seem like a big deal to me as your recording software will monitor this regardless.

I have seen the interface you mentioned reviewed in either SOS or Future music and it was well recieved. I'm not saying pick the Firebox. Just decide specifically what you want to accomplish and try to get an all in one solution that will meet your needs. Mixing and matching can backfire soemtimes.

[Guitar Louie]

M audio's stuff is good and all pro tools compatible.( AVID bought the co.) Presonus Firebox is a little overated & overpriced. I was gonna buy the firebox but some hip hop producer talked me into a firewire solo. Great box & cheap. The Mackie is a gimmic. Just my opinion. I been into this stuff for along time.

[Skully]

It all depends what you want to do. I have two recording stations. One is in my office. It uses a Presonus Firebox. It presently has six analog inputs with cables plugged into them, although I never use more than two at a time. My second recording station is in my drum room in the garage. It uses an Edirol FA-101, which has 10 in and 10 out. Six analog inputs are always occupied by cables from the drum kit. I also tend to record my vocals in the drum room, so I need to have one input with phantom power open. I don't want to be unplugging any of the drum cables. That could lead to a big, time-wasting headache.

I've been satisfied with both of these soundcards, but if I were in the market for a new one today, I'd probably get a PreSonus FIREPOD 10-Channel FireWire Interface.

[getbent]

Skully,

You're my hero! I have been looking for something that I could use to connect to Logic and GB with 12 in at a time, but 10 could work and for 379.00 what a deal! Have you recorded 10 in at time? Was it a useful experience?

Thanks man! (and apologies for the slight hijack...)


Hey Brian, this might be cool for what you want to do... I've had good luck with the older products in this category.

[Skully]

You're my hero! I have been looking for something that I could use to connect to Logic and GB with 12 in at a time, but 10 could work and for 379.00 what a deal! Have you recorded 10 in at time? Was it a useful experience?

The most I've recorded is six at a time, and that was for one set of drums. To use the full ten, you'd have to employ the S/PDIF digital input, which I've never used. I think the rule of thumb is, if your CPU can handle it, the soundcard can handle it.

It's old as far as technology goes these days (3 years). As rule I'd be hesitant to buy something that old, but I haven't seen anything in its class that outperforms it. It's been a stable piece of gear for me. As far as I know, there are virtually no other soundcards of comparable size or price that feature as many inputs. Of course, I bought it when it first came out, and it wasn't so cheap ($499? $599?)

[getbent]

Shoot! I don't wanna go the spdif route... I just want an interface with 10 (really 12) inputs and one firewire connection.... the hunt continues.

[Brian blaut]

Originally Posted by getbent

Hey Brian, this might be cool for what you want to do... I've had good luck with the older products in this category.

That unit is very interesting. Have you used it? Will it allow me to not use software monitoring in garageband and just monitor via the interface's headphone jack, hearing my live guitar feed AND the other already recorded garageband tracks? Without creating any nasty loops?

I believe the Firebox allows this though software routing with its proprietary software. The Mackie its hardware solution. The Edirol didn't specify or hint to any software driver with additional channel routing features.

[getbent]

Originally Posted by Brian blaut

That unit if very interesting. Have you used it? Will it allow me to not use software monitoring in garageband and just monitor via the interface's headphone jack, hearing my live guitar feed AND the other already recorded garageband tracks? Without creating any nasty loops?

I believe the Firebox allows this though software routing with its proprietary software. The Mackie its hardware solution. The Edirol didn't specify or hint to any software driver with additional channel routing features.

I had the UA-1 and another UA or UD model....

My memory is that the latency wasn't a problem, so I used the headphones out of my computer to monitor both the other tracks and the guitar tracks I was recording...

with my 410 I have it all run through a mini mixer so that the guitar (or instrument or voice I'm recording) runs out of the capture box to the mixer and the mix from the computer runs out to the mixer.... same basic effect. I don't think I have to do it that way... it is just the first way it worked and since my home studio is getting changed around (cabinets ordered, new parts budgeted for) it has worked fine for the last couple of months....

They probably have them at the GC or Bananas near you... I'd call and see, if they do, go in with your laptop and try it out... I've actually become friendly with the GC guys in Gilroy and they are extremely helpful and what they don't know they admit to which is all I ever ask.

[Brian blaut]

Thanks Randy. I'm coming from a PC recording background where latency was an issue (at least with my older computer). I don't actually expect software monitoring to be a problem. But I'm checking out the monitoring options just in case.

Anyways, that Edirol device is looking the part. But now I'm also considering the Line6 Tonport. Apparently, I can still use it as an audio interface (you can turn the modeling off). Its still got line in, line out, guitar in, mic in (phantom power), everything I need. Plus it has 5 or so mic preamp models, bass models and even though I have a vox, I'd still love to play with all the amp models and effects. I can still run it to a mixer, powered moniters and use it for all other computer amplications if I wanted. I never really thought of it as an all around audio interface before. All for $200. And I've never read a review that wasn't glowing.

But the Edirol is still cheaper and has everything and is ultimately more flexible and probably has higher quality conversions. But the kid in me wants the toneport's software, which I don't even need. But than again, the mic preamp models in the toneport might be an excellent way to record acoustic guitar... With a SM57 this might yield a better result. Both will work. One is more practicle, the other is more fun... And aren't we all just doing this because its fun?