Logic Pro w/ Motu old Travler or get Apogee

[ruuss]

Hello Crew-

I currently have a Roland TD20, Strat with a Line 6 iV amp, 6 year old travler, bass, two high quality condenser mics, bass, New MacBook Pro 750 GB, etc..
It seems to be a pain to work with he old travler. I can get it working ok but it's a bit of a bitch to work the MAC an monitoring everything as adjustments are made.

My question is would you more experiences musicians out there recommend an Apogee Duet as I am usually working with one instrument at a time? If so, is the Apogee quiet and are there any issues with it?

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks.

Ruuss

[David]

The Duet is great - but there's no reason you should have problems with the MOTU, so switching to another interface may not resolve your issues. What kind of problems exactly?

[ruuss]

David, Thanks for the response and guidance.

My DP expired so a I don't have that software. I had an old Ableton 6 cd, called tha company and they allowed me to have.upgradet to Live 8, I have Audio Desk 3.21, Have logic Express because can't locate my Logic Pro and lastly gargeband. It seems to work with all mentioned but have not dug deep enough to experiment to see if they have a software compressor that's decent. Had a PreSonis Tube compressor but much too soft.

Question is, just to set it up and match the settings for the MOTU and choose a software that won't choke, I begin to wonder if there is an easier but equal in quality interface and should I sell my traveler for it or not?

Which software would be most apt for the MOTU?

I am a dynamic singer, no a screamer (I was trained in opera young) so I need a compressor. Is there a software compressor in any of my current software?

Also, not as important, I have a old Event EMP-1 Microphone pre-amp. What the hell should I use this for - conditioning the input?

Dave, if you could please rovide some guidance and insight of which software would be easiest to begin with and if you think I shoud get an Apogee with breakout cable and use the Event as a door stopper?
Mic the Amp or plug into the MoTU? I am willing to buy software so here are my needs: home recording studio, decent quality, and will I be OK with compression with certain un-named software?

Thanks so much just for reading this. Is the Duet great and it seems to be as in ease of use (which is important when you have something in your head and want to get it down asap) and how does it compare to the traveler (seem just more inputs) and your recommended software?

Thanks again Man.

[allsound]

i have both the traveler and duet, the motu is very nice it allows me to have lots of connectivity, i like to use the duet to record the main vocals, not to mention the ability to record very high quality sound any where and very easy just plug and play. the integration of the duet with logic is flawless. logic pro has super nice plugins that come already with it, in my opinion logic pro has everything you need to produce whatever you want!!

[ruuss]

GREAAT. It sounds like Logic Pro with and Apogee is the way to go. I know Logic Pro has a decent compressor and the apogee has either the breakout box or cable which is all I think I need. the MOTU is great too, just a lot of unused inputs and a bit tedious to move to room to quiet room for recording vocals as it would just be Apogee, mic and Mac. Maybe if I have the cash, I'll keep the MOTU as it records my Roland drums very good. Thanks. Do you have the duet or the solo and if the duet, what accessories?

[allsound]

i have the duet, you can see every i have in my signature

[ruuss]

I apologize I did not catch all your equipment in your signature. Just bought Logic Pro. Allsound, which do you use more between the two interfaces. a senerio would be if you got inspiration to lay something down. You got your mac, e-mu handy witha mic, time is a factor as your mother in law is coming over any you have to clean. Which interface do you pick for how many inputs? Also, does the apogee have 20 dB pads in it like the MOTU and what is the apogee lacking that the Motu is not. I read few articles where some musicians has issues with the apogee popping and humming. Have you experienced any anomalies like these? I have one 500GB and 1 TB firewire 800 storage disks. Should I use these for the direct destination of my recording or use the 750GB in my MacBook Pro and worry about it later? I don't care for the Lacie's too much so i'd greatly appreciate recommendation for a hardrive solution. How are the compressors with my Logic Pro ? Thanks again man.

[triplets]

I think the Duet is overhyped. You cannot record with a 32 buffer on a Duet 2 because it starts to crackle, I experienced that myself. WTF??
Sometimes the Duet would disappear or make noises, crackles. If that is the best interface out there in this category I don't know what to think.
I have recorded great tracks with my Motu Ultralite using different external mic pres and I never have any issues. And the consensus is that Motu is a step below Apogee. But what's the benefit of being a step higher when you have issues with it?

[David]

Dave, if you could please rovide some guidance and insight of which software would be easiest to begin with and if you think I shoud get an Apogee with breakout cable and use the Event as a door stopper?

Use Logic Express, it has a great software compressor, and when in the future you're ready to move up, buy Logic Pro. While I often recommend the Duet, I think you're looking at it for the wrong reasons, I don't think it will be any easier to set up than your MOTU.

What I'd recommend is to try to stick to what you have for now, and make it work. There's no reason you can't, and I don't think anything else out there is going to be any easier. So even if once it works, you decide, for whatever reason, that you'd rather use another DAW or another interface, at least you'll be doing it for the right reasons, and you'll have learned how to set up a DAW with hardware.

So yes, MOTU Traveler + Logic Express sounds like a great combo to get started.

[ruuss]

Thanks Dave. I got nothing to lose giving it a shot and I also won't have to spend a dime right now. PS: If you've seen the movie "Goon" (is an ice hockey comedy), your pic looks like the a player in it named, "LaFlamme". You should become French Canadian and change your name.

Thanks again man. I'll give you an update. This helps so much man.

[David]

I got nothing to lose giving it a shot and I also won't have to spend a dime right now

That's exactly my thought.

You should become French Canadian and change your name.

Hey I'm already French (from France) so that's not too far off... as for the name... "La Flamme".... that's pretty cool! I could live with that!

[ruuss]

I was just singing "Ford Mustang" the Mike Patton version, I just have to learn the keyboard chord - send em if you know em.. Check the movie, you'll love it.

Hey why do you often recommend the Duet?

[David]

I believe the Duet 2 offers the best mic preamps and A/D converters in its price range. It's also solidly built and reliable.

[ruuss]

Do you use Ableton Live? It came with my something I bought. IF so what do YOU use it for? Do you use a stand alone fast hard drive dedicated for recording? Thanks for replying to the battery of questions and your patience.

[David]

I don't use Ableton Live. You're welcome!

[allsound]

I'm with david about the duet the thing is solid, i take with me every where. why i still have the motu? well, besides the fact that is also really good, its got the I/o that i need and i also use the midi with mackie control. never had any issues with my duet and logic, i don't use any other daws tough. imo if i ever need a better interface or ada convertor i would have to step up to something high end but for what i do the setup that i have is just fine. i use firewire for everything i have, the way i set up my hard drive is i playback from the interla HD in my comp and record to my external HD.

[ruuss]

Does the duet have 20dB pads on the input like the Motu as well. Can Either of you recommend a reasonably priced external mem storage unit? I have decided to add a Duet to my pile of equipment. You have been a great help and look forward to your harddrive recommendations. Thanks again and just one more thing, what kind of material do you guys write and or like? Thanks again and if you have any questions regarding electronic percussion and related hardware, ask away so that perhaps I can reciprocate all the help you've given me.