RME Fireface 802 / Audient - Compression - Converters

[leeenaParticipant]

Hello!
I´m very interested in the topic of making it "right" on the way in.
I have a RME 802 which has no hardware inserts. But I can route through TotalMix.
Does it really matter if the compression happens before or after the converters?
What do I have to invest in terms of preamps to beat the built in preamps?

I´m still comparing it to a Audient ID22. I firstly thought of selling it but then I heard that the preamps should be really good. Does it make sense to use the ID22 for its converters with an external compressor like a FMR RNC?

I mostly do mobile recording of choirs etc. but I also do overdubs and band recording.

[TobiKeymaster]

Having a quick read of the tech. specs for the RME 802 and Audient ID22, it looks to me like to the RME is a better performer across the board. It's preamps are supposed to be pretty solid.

Compression before the AD converter can be useful, but equally comes with problems - particularly bringing up all those nasty background noises.

My gut feeling is, if you're happy with sound you're getting - stick with what you've got. If you're struggling to bring in a strong signal, maybe compression and / or EQ could help.

Equally, it might be worth researching alternative microphones. You may be better off expanding your range of mic options, to suit particular recording situations.

[leeenaParticipant]

I´m totally confused about the right gear. On one day I want to get a UA Apollo (Firewire because I´m using Windows) and use its unison preamps with no external gear and on the next day I want to keep the RME 802 and use external gear like a GAP Pre73 etc or the new Slate Preamp Plugins.
My laptop does not support the Apollo, so I´d have to use my PC in a rack or so...
No money for a macbook pro 🙂

[TobiKeymaster]

I'd be wary of any Firewire Interface. I spent 6 months trying to get my old Steinberg mr816 x firewire interface to work, after I upgraded to Windows 8. Eventually I gave up. Steinberg has reissued the interface as a USB interface, which says a lot.

Microsoft changed the legacy driver for firewire with Windows 8 and a lot of audio interfaces had trouble with it. Maybe Windows 10 will be ok, but Universal Audio only lists Windows 7 compatibility for the Apollo.

How many input / outputs do you need on your interface?

[TobiKeymaster]

Quick update : just tried my old Firewire Interface with Windows 10, and it seems to be working fine. ...so the Apollo Firewire may well be cool and the gang with Windows 10.

[bentleyferrariParticipant]

Sorry this is so late. Joined up a week or 2 ago and just now saw your question. I have never used an RME product, but I just bought and started using the Audient ID22 and will tell you that I am very happy with it. I started going through my older material using the Audient, and now I can hear why the old mixes weren't translating so well. Prior to this I was using a Digidesign HD192. So the conversion quality is excellent and a step up from what I was using before, IMO. (It actually pains me to say that.) Besides the conversion quality, the capabilities of the Audient are perfect for my purposes. I record only myself, so I only need one channel for tracking in. I have a fair amount of outboard that I like to use as well. So now I have my outboard hooked to a patchbay. My ID22 is hooked into it too. So now it's easy to pick the mic, pre, compressor, EQ I want to use on the way in, try differeet combinations, etc. You can bypass the preamps on the ID22 and use a pair of sends/returns to send audio out of your DAW, through outboard and back in again. I use that capability for my mix bus, where I like to mix through a pair of Distressors. Depending on your needs, this is a great box for the money. Underpriced in my opinion.

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