M-Audio Quattro and Metro

[Yaoski]

Greetings, All,

New kid here . I've been doing MIDI sequencing for about 18 years, but solely with dedicated sequencers and hardware synths and tone modules; going directly to DAT, CD or MD; sometimes mixing with live and instruments. Now, I'm about to dip into the computer-centric MIDI audio pot.

My intention is to purchase an M-Audio Quattro USB MIDI/audio interface and use it with Metro (in one or another of its incarnations) on my PowerBook G4 (1.25 GHz/512 MB/80 GB). I'll mix my existing instruments with some software synths and effects, I guess, but plan to phase in the new stuff gradually. Ease and quality of MIDI/notation integration are very important. Are there caveats that anyone can point out? How well would these products work together? Please forgive if this post is redundant. Any information will be extremely helpful (I'm looking to purchase within the week).

Peace,
Yaoski

[Jerm]

I have used the audio ports of the M-Audio Quattro with Metro and it worked well. I have not tried the MIDI port but I think it is similar to 1-in 1-out interface which I have used and also works well.

Notation is only in the full version of Metro and not in the SE or LX versions. You can compare products here!

[Yaoski]

I have used the audio ports of the M-Audio Quattro with Metro and it worked well. I have not tried the MIDI port but I think it is similar to 1-in 1-out interface which I have used and also works well.

Notation is only in the full version of Metro and not in the SE or LX versions. You can compare products here!

Thanks, Jerm,

That's what I needed to know. Now that I think of it, can you recommend an equivalent (in price, features) USB MIDI/audio interface that accesses more than 16 MIDI channels (i.e., <1 MIDI Out port)?

BTW, working on a Saturday ?!

Peace,
Yaoski

[Scoot]

May I suggest getting 2 interfaces?

A USB midi interface - say a 2in/2out or more.
and a firewire audio interface.

USB is a rather slow method for data transfer and using a USB and firewire together would be a better use of resources and probably though more expensive initially, would be of benefit in the future when you expand.

.........or a firewire midi/audio interface?


peace
too.

[Yaoski]

May I suggest getting 2 interfaces?

A USB midi interface - say a 2in/2out or more.
and a firewire audio interface.

USB is a rather slow method for data transfer and using a USB and firewire together would be a better use of resources and probably though more expensive initially, would be of benefit in the future when you expand.

.........or a firewire midi/audio interface?


peace
too.

True enough, Scoot,

However, one of my goals is to consolidate, so that my kit fits one reasonably sized bag. I even considered the M-Audio Ozone USB MIDI keyboard/audio interface. Do you know of an equivalent Firewire unit?

Peace,
Yaoski

[Scoot]

without a keyboard - the Edirol FA-101 in the audio section?

[fastlanephil]

M-Audio discontinued the Quattro though there are probably still some for sale some where. How about the Tascam US122 if you want a compact all in one unit. With FW 800 out the FW 400 audio interfaces may supersede USB down the road but right now most of the FW units are more studio size than moble size. The M-Audio Audiophile is a compact FW powered all in one FW interface but lacks many pro features and is probably due to join the Quattro.

[Yaoski]

M-Audio discontinued the Quattro though there are probably still some for sale some where. How about the Tascam US122 if you want a compact all in one unit. With FW 800 out the FW 400 audio interfaces may supersede USB down the road but right now most of the FW units are more studio size than moble size. The M-Audio Audiophile is a compact FW powered all in one FW interface but lacks many pro features and is probably due to join the Quattro.

Muchos thankos, fastlanephil and scoot,

Looking online, it appears that the Edirol FA-101 and M-Audio Firewire 410 would both meet my MIDI/audio needs (MIDI just barely). I'll hunt them down.

On another note, at the Remix Hotel in NYC, the Steinberg folks made a case for their integrated System 4, which seems to be a well-thought-out hard/software solution. Ideas? Opinions?

Peace,
Yaoski

[Scoot]

On another note, at the Remix Hotel in NYC, the Steinberg folks made a case for their integrated System 4, which seems to be a well-thought-out hard/software solution. Ideas? Opinions?

Interesting there is no big headline on their website I can find.

Do they do shows like protools do?

Any crashes?

[Yaoski]

On another note, at the Remix Hotel in NYC, the Steinberg folks made a case for their integrated System 4, which seems to be a well-thought-out hard/software solution. Ideas? Opinions?

Interesting there is no big headline on their website I can find.

Do they do shows like protools do?

Any crashes?

heh heh
None that I could see. The demo was well-done, with a pro conducting it. Actually, I wasted a good deal of time running around the site looking for Sagan and Metro... sigh

Peace,
Yaoski