You need a midi interface with enough ports to control all your synths. If you plan on having 4 synths, then you need 4 ins and 4 outs.

For audio, you will need 2 audio ports for each synth (stereo). So if you plan on using 4 synths, you will need 8 audio in lines. You can use a mixer but you record everything as one. This is fine, you just have to record each synth individually when you record midi to audio.

Check out stuff by Mark of the Unicorn for good hardware. www.motu.com

___________________
1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

quote:

Originally posted by hey cheggy You need a midi interface with enough ports to control all your synths. If you plan on having 4 synths, then you need 4 ins and 4 outs. For audio, you will need 2 audio ports for each synth (stereo). So if you plan on using 4 synths, you will need 8 audio in lines. You can use a mixer but you record everything as one. This is fine, you just have to record each synth individually when you record midi to audio. Check out stuff by Mark of the Unicorn for good hardware. www.motu.com

thanx for the organized ideas. much appreciated.

I've seen the MOTU stuff.... very nice interface options.... but should i aim for a Emagic interface or MOTU interface (I was thinking MOTU).

For my audio... I want to record everything into its own individual track, so that I can mixdown to stereo later (preferably all at once, rather than each instrument one after the other). ... in that case I'm gonna need a audio interface with 2 audio ports for each synth .. so would a MOTU audio interface be compatible to work with Logic? or do i need to run a pro-tools session for recording (via a digi-002)??

I just can't get these questions answered by the companies themselves.

MOTU is made for mac, so I would say that it is a safe bet. Make sure you go to a store that sells them if you can and ask them any questions you have.

___________________
1 out of every 4 people in this country are mentally disturbed. Look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem okay, then you're the one.

I only know M Audio 4x4 MIDI interface.(is it worth of it?)

or rather

Unitor 8. But I only had 3 MIDI input output. and might add 2 more in. uncertain. which is recommended?

___________________
Lets !!!

Production Site
-=:::Currently in the stage of new tune:::=-

Yes you can record simultaneously than using MIDI (I wouldn't see the point of sequencers like Logic or Cubase otherwise).

But it's all about convenience. A good midi interface keeps you from switching midi connections all the time (you know that you only have 16 channels per midi port, so they would be fully used, and you want to add another synth in the equation, you'd need to record the first synths first, then switch the midi cable to the next synth and record that one).
So for a fast workflow, a nice midi interface is good. How much in/outs really depends on how much synths you'll have (it's always nice to keep a reserve, you never know you'll find an extra midi device at a bargain price and add it to your setup later). M-audio, Emagic and Motu also have great Midi devices (and from personal experience, stated in order of quality).

As for audio, it's the same thing. It comes down to convenience. Except time and convenience, you gain nothing from recording several synths at the same time, as the MIDI stream will ensure the sound (and tweaks) will be reproducable over time (with a midi controlled synth, it's not like you press play one time, and it sounds completely different the second time, if played by a sequencer that is). So, if you made your midi sequences, and you record synth by synth, or all at the same time, it wouldn't make any difference in the end, you'll have different tracks for different synths anyway (and it doesn't only apply to computer recording, big studio's rarely record a rock track (just an example) completely in one time. It's usually drums first, then bass, then they dub each instrument onto the base tracks).

But yes, it comes down to workflow and time saving again. If you can record all your synths actions in one pass instead of 10, that saves you much of time.

But what you gotta keep in mind too is that your computer should be able to handle it (yeye, I know, you spoke of a G5, but I'm generalising for people that don't have such gear). It's much easier to handle a simple stereo recording, than let's say 10 channels of simultaneous 24/96 recording. Both your interface (if it's PCI/USB/FireWire, etc...) and the harddrives must be able to handle it (writing 10 tracks is not the same as reading them). Of course, a G5 is perfectly capable to handle some serious beating.

So for audio, it mainly comes down to how much inputs/outputs you need, and what formats (and of course quality), on the hardware side. Several outputs are handy if you want to do multichannel mixes, but more importantly if you want to run some outboard gear too. One stereo output might be used as a stereo aux send to an outboard reverb for example (of course, you need another stereo input to return the effect). And of course what formats : analog on TRS? SP/DIF, ADAT? All those should be taken into consideration. Don't forget that a lot of synths have more than one output, so you need to take this too into consideration.
On the software side, it's generally the quality of the drivers that matters, and the flexibility (internal routing possible?). Since you want to work on a recent Apple with Logic, you should get gear that has solid CoreAudio drivers (also counts for Midi interfaces, CoreMidi). And the flexibility is important too. Can you route in/outputs internally, or are you limited by how it's connected the hard way (well, in a decent studio, you'll use a patchbay anyway).

And finally, once you decided what you need, you want to get the best hardware that has all what you need. Obviously, a M-audio unit won't have the same quality convertors as a Motu. So with your requirements, and your budget, you wanna see what you can get best.

What to get? If you're working with Logic, I don't think a Digi002 would be the best choice, as it can work with 3d party software, but it's main use is still with Protools. I agree with Cheggy here, MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn, lots of engineers call it Mac of the Unicorn, for understandable reasons) is a very good choice here. For the "mainstream" audio gear, they have very good convertors, rock solid drivers and are very flexible. Judging from your setup, I'd say the Motu 828 mkII is an excellent option. Enough in/outs for your needs, excellent quality sound, enough formats (both analog and digital) to cope with most situations and some nice extra features that might come in hande sometimes (for example the timecode in and outs, for if you want to do sound for video for example). And it can work independantly, so it might come in handy for a location mix/recording once and a while. And of course their stability with Mac's is legendary. Forget about Emagic audio interfaces, for the moment they are to be forgotten (something better might come out soon due to the Apple buyover, but don't wait for that).
I'd say for the money and quality, there's mostly one alternative, and that's RME. But I think if you go Mac, better stay with Motu.

Thanx for the input... very much appreciated.

I was looking at the Pro-Tools digi002 b/c of it's recording capabilities aside from recording my synths... ie: mic pres.
and there's also the fact that I just generally need a pro-tools rig to keep on top of it.

My setup is gonna be a parallel synth interface, so in that sense, each synth has 16 channels and so if i have 2 synths to start, i'll actually have 32 channels of midi.

___________________

'-.SgtFoo.-'
My SoundCloud

you didnt mention what sound card are you gonna get
i would reccomend echo's soundcards

___________________
People who own my ass: Citric Acid, Boomer187, Tribu, Sand Leaper,
Jackson, venomX, jamie, Renegade, Konjin, Akridrot, Miss Bliss.
Psy-T - Down The Rabbit Hole (400minute long acid set)

quote:

Originally posted by Psy-T you didnt mention what sound card are you gonna get i would reccomend echo's soundcards

If I get a firewire audio interface or digi-002 rack, then I won't need a soundcard. I'll check out echo anyway b/c my current PC is gonna need something new.

___________________

'-.SgtFoo.-'
My SoundCloud

quote:

Originally posted by Psy-T you didnt mention what sound card are you gonna get i would reccomend echo's soundcards

That's the whole point of SgtFoo's question

If you want to know the difference, a soundcard is usually an internal card you insert into your computer (PCI usually) while an audio interface is usually external (but breakoutboxes controlled by a PCI controller card are considered audio interfaces too).

Foo, if you are going to use Protools too, it can change the whole equation, then a Digi002 is a viable option too. But it mainly depends if Protools will be your main rig, or Logic.
As for the mic pre's, it's like always : integrated stuff will get you somewhere, but isn't as good as dedicated hardware (same goes for AD/DA). A very good option could also be a Firewire interface (à la Motu) and a dedicated mic preamp for when you feel you're ready to tackle mic recordings.

Well for your parallel synth system, 2 midi outs would be the minimum, but as I said, best is to take a little reserve (probably you'll buy more MIDI gear later) and take more ports than you need (off course, overkill isn't necessary either). Would save you some trouble once you start expanding your setup. And the price difference isn't that big.

Remember, you won't get 32 MIDI channels on the JP and Nord Lead. The JP is 2 part only and the Nord is 4 part, making it 6 MIDI channels max.