Guitar Gear Forum

Hey all, it is bonus time and I am taking a little bit of cash to upgrade my computer and interface. I am currently using a mid 2010 iMac 27" and Focusrite Safire pro24 which is a Firewire interface.

Everything works ok but I really want more mic inputs with pre's on them and the Safire only has 2. I want to be able to have my 2 tracks coming out of the Torpedo, a dedicated vocal and bass setup as well as another vocal mic of VO.

I am definitely getting a new Mac Mini with 16gb of RAM. I have a spare 32" TV that I will use as a monitor as the Mac has HDMI out.

For interfaces I am looking at:
• Focusrite Clarett 8 PreX
• UAD Apollo Duo (maybe the Quad if I can spring it...)

The only thing that scares me about the UAD is all the plug-in's seem like a VERY expensive rabbit hole and not sure if only getting the Duo which is $2k is limiting me from the jump. The Focusrite is $999 and supposed they the pre's in it are REALLY good. I also us the Slate "Everything" bundle which is quite good.

Spend my monies!

You know my stance but also just note that you don't HAVE to use UAD plug-ins. It's definitely a rabbit hole because of awesome they are but the systems work with any plug-ins your interface accepts. They also have HuGE sales throughout the year where you can get the best ones on the cheap.

I never had any issues as far processing with the Duo but I upgraded for more inputs and because I started using a lot more plug-ins during recording so just in case but I didn't need it.

Ruiner wrote:You know my stance but also just note that you don't HAVE to use UAD plug-ins. It's definitely a rabbit hole because of awesome they are but the systems work with any plug-ins your interface accepts. They also have HuGE sales throughout the year where you can get the best ones on the cheap.

I never had any issues as far processing with the Duo but I upgraded for more inputs and because I started using a lot more plug-ins during recording so just in case but I didn't need it.

Are you on the Quad now? Do you mean you are running the plug-ins while tracking so the beefier processing power is helpful? I wish I could have bought when they were offering the free Satellite.

I want one of these. My buddy just started rep'n 'em:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... Ahfb8P8HAQ

JerEvil wrote:

Ruiner wrote:You know my stance but also just note that you don't HAVE to use UAD plug-ins. It's definitely a rabbit hole because of awesome they are but the systems work with any plug-ins your interface accepts. They also have HuGE sales throughout the year where you can get the best ones on the cheap.

I never had any issues as far processing with the Duo but I upgraded for more inputs and because I started using a lot more plug-ins during recording so just in case but I didn't need it.

Are you on the Quad now? Do you mean you are running the plug-ins while tracking so the beefier processing power is helpful? I wish I could have bought when they were offering the free Satellite.

I've got the Apollo Twin and the Apollo 8. One is a duo and one is a quad but the cool thing with apollo is you can always combine more. So together it's 6 processors and i have my 8 racked up and the duo on my desk for easy access.

Yes, your processor within the interface only matters when tracking unless i'm mistaken. It stores your UAD plug-ins and you can track with them but after that it's all dependent on your computer's processing power i believe.

Telephant wrote:I want one of these. My buddy just started rep'n 'em:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... Ahfb8P8HAQ

Man that looks pretty cool actually! Never heard of these guys.

Ruiner wrote:

JerEvil wrote:

Ruiner wrote:You know my stance but also just note that you don't HAVE to use UAD plug-ins. It's definitely a rabbit hole because of awesome they are but the systems work with any plug-ins your interface accepts. They also have HuGE sales throughout the year where you can get the best ones on the cheap.

I never had any issues as far processing with the Duo but I upgraded for more inputs and because I started using a lot more plug-ins during recording so just in case but I didn't need it.

Are you on the Quad now? Do you mean you are running the plug-ins while tracking so the beefier processing power is helpful? I wish I could have bought when they were offering the free Satellite.

I've got the Apollo Twin and the Apollo 8. One is a duo and one is a quad but the cool thing with apollo is you can always combine more. So together it's 6 processors and i have my 8 racked up and the duo on my desk for easy access.

Yes, your processor within the interface only matters when tracking unless i'm mistaken. It stores your UAD plug-ins and you can track with them but after that it's all dependent on your computer's processing power i believe.

Hmmmm... many things to consider. They have a demo of the Quad for $2200 at Sweetwater. I found a B-Stock Duo for $1500. Since I am never tracking more than 2 tracks at once the Duo COULD be fine.

Frak!

JerEvil wrote:

Telephant wrote:I want one of these. My buddy just started rep'n 'em:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... Ahfb8P8HAQ

Man that looks pretty cool actually! Never heard of these guys.

Ruiner wrote:

JerEvil wrote:

Ruiner wrote:You know my stance but also just note that you don't HAVE to use UAD plug-ins. It's definitely a rabbit hole because of awesome they are but the systems work with any plug-ins your interface accepts. They also have HuGE sales throughout the year where you can get the best ones on the cheap.

I never had any issues as far processing with the Duo but I upgraded for more inputs and because I started using a lot more plug-ins during recording so just in case but I didn't need it.

Are you on the Quad now? Do you mean you are running the plug-ins while tracking so the beefier processing power is helpful? I wish I could have bought when they were offering the free Satellite.

I've got the Apollo Twin and the Apollo 8. One is a duo and one is a quad but the cool thing with apollo is you can always combine more. So together it's 6 processors and i have my 8 racked up and the duo on my desk for easy access.

Yes, your processor within the interface only matters when tracking unless i'm mistaken. It stores your UAD plug-ins and you can track with them but after that it's all dependent on your computer's processing power i believe.

Hmmmm... many things to consider. They have a demo of the Quad for $2200 at Sweetwater. I found a B-Stock Duo for $1500. Since I am never tracking more than 2 tracks at once the Duo COULD be fine.

Frak!

I honestly don't think you'd have any problem at all with the duo unless you're trying to monitor and or record all of your plug-ins up front and you have multiple inputs like tracking drums or something....

Ruiner wrote:

JerEvil wrote:

Telephant wrote:I want one of these. My buddy just started rep'n 'em:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... Ahfb8P8HAQ

Man that looks pretty cool actually! Never heard of these guys.

Ruiner wrote:

JerEvil wrote:

Ruiner wrote:You know my stance but also just note that you don't HAVE to use UAD plug-ins. It's definitely a rabbit hole because of awesome they are but the systems work with any plug-ins your interface accepts. They also have HuGE sales throughout the year where you can get the best ones on the cheap.

I never had any issues as far processing with the Duo but I upgraded for more inputs and because I started using a lot more plug-ins during recording so just in case but I didn't need it.

Are you on the Quad now? Do you mean you are running the plug-ins while tracking so the beefier processing power is helpful? I wish I could have bought when they were offering the free Satellite.

I've got the Apollo Twin and the Apollo 8. One is a duo and one is a quad but the cool thing with apollo is you can always combine more. So together it's 6 processors and i have my 8 racked up and the duo on my desk for easy access.

Yes, your processor within the interface only matters when tracking unless i'm mistaken. It stores your UAD plug-ins and you can track with them but after that it's all dependent on your computer's processing power i believe.

Hmmmm... many things to consider. They have a demo of the Quad for $2200 at Sweetwater. I found a B-Stock Duo for $1500. Since I am never tracking more than 2 tracks at once the Duo COULD be fine.

Frak!

I honestly don't think you'd have any problem at all with the duo unless you're trying to monitor and or record all of your plug-ins up front and you have multiple inputs like tracking drums or something....

Right on. I will only ever be tracking drums via a midi drum kit or programming them. I really only record ME and that's not changing any time soon.

Anyone else have thoughts on Focusrite vs. UAD?

there are the UAD cards as well. I still use 2 x UAD 1's , while now no longer supported for new plugins they do still kick much ass and I have all UAD 1 plugins so there is much to choose from . You could get UAD 2 cards if you have a tower with PCI slots or the new UAD satellite . So there are other ways to get the UAD plugins which are awesome . But that preamp is bad ass so I might be tempted . I use a AES/EBU AD/DA converter with a Lynx Audio PCI-16 and a API Lunch box .

Ended up with the Clarett 8pre. Not the X. Will likely grab UAD Satellite if I decide to go that route with plug ins.