M Audio Fire Wire Solo; Comments?

[Paul Sutherland]

I bought an M-Audio FireWire Solo interface about a year ago and I have been unable to use it productively. I stopped trying months ago, but Bob's CD project has me trying again.

The interface came with Abelton Live Lite software. I installed all the software and everything seemed to be ok. I was able to record my steel, and the sound quality was very good. But when I tried to upload the track to YouTube, and to make a CD, I couldn't get anything to work. I don't recall exactly what the error messages were. I bought a couple books regarding the Ableton Live software but I was overwhelmed by the technical jargon. They didn't help at all.

The FireWire Solo interface is advertised as being compatible with Pro Tools 8 M-powered. I could buy that for about $250. Would that be a more user-friendly DAW for someone who is computer challenged? Am I wasting my time trying to make this Abelton Live Lite work? Anyone with experience with either the interface or either of these DAW programs, please speak up.

I could buy a stand along digital recorder, such as the Zoom r16 or Tascam dp-02, for about $400 or $370 respectively. Both have more features and would enable recording an entire band, but their recording quality is not rated as high as the FireWire Solo, and I would not have any computer connection or DAW without spending more money, which is in short supply.

Is it worth the effort (in terms of audio quality, editing options, etc.) to figure out this computer based recording system, or should I thrown in the towel and buy a stand alone digital recorder?

Thanks in advance for any help. Paul

[Bill Moore]

Paul, I'm using a very cheap set up. I have a Soundblaster external sound card, it plugs into a usb port. I have a small mixer with L + R outputs going into the 1/8" stereo jack on the Soundblaster. I am using Reaper to record with, you can try it for as long as you wish for free. If you decide to buy it, it's very cheap. After recording, I will edit the files with Audacity, which is free. The only thing you have to is make sure that you have selected the correct recording device, Soundblaster USB. I just hook up my usual effects then plug into the mixer, plug my headphones into the Soundblaster , and I'm ready. I did just buy the Zoom r16 recorder, but I plan too use that away from home.

One other thing, if you want to upload the files, they need to be converted to mp3. Most of the recording programs have their own file system, these will not work if you want to upload them. In Audacity, when I've finished editing, I can export the file as a wave, or mp3 if it is to be uploaded.

[Earnest Bovine]

I was able to record my steel, and the sound quality was very good. But when I tried to upload the track to YouTube, and to make a CD, I couldn't get anything to work.

Does your track play OK in regular media players such as Winamp or Windows Media Player?
What format is your audio file in?
YouTube accepts video files but probably not audio. There are easy ways to make a video of you audio track with a few simple images. For example you could use Windows Movie Maker or a utility like this:
http://blogote.com/2009/tips-and-tricks ... utube.html

[Paul Sutherland]

Thank you Bill and Earnest. I have been working on the problem off and on all day; in between helping the wife prepare a turkey for a belated T-Day style feast.

I think this computer based system is going to work out eventually. I recorded a tune a year ago and I've now located the track. It's in wav format and it plays just fine on Windows Media Player, Real Player SP, I-Tunes, and Quick Time Player, all of which are on my computer. (Don't ask me why I have so many different systems.)

I just purchased a download to convert wav files to mp3, but now for some reason I have lost all sound out of my speakers, and its getting late and I have to get up early in the morning.

In any event, just wanted to say thanks. Paul

[Teddy Ray Bullard II]

PT is very easy to use. In terms of being "intuitive" I find reaper the most intuitive of them all.

Sir, I will personally walk you through this if you want me to.

Computer recording/audio coding is something I am very familiar with.

my number is 740 497 4473, I am more than happy to get you squared away. I know it can be frustrating for someone not well versed in DAW software. I just spent a month getting my daddy up to speed on Samplitude!

[Paul Sutherland]

Teddy: Thank you for the offer of assistance. I may give you a call if I get stuck again. But right now, I managed to get the system to work. I successfully converted a track from wav to mp3 and made a CD; so I think I've got the basics. Now I just need to record something worth posting. Thanks to all. Paul