Hi all. I'm looking to upgrade my studio and i'm checking to see what would be the ideal solution...

Current Specs....

1. Aardvark Q10
2. Mackie SR24-4
3. Edirol Um-880
4. ASUS P4S-800 3.2Ghz
5. Alesis M1 Actives
6. Roland JV-90 (only as a controller & ocassional vintage tones)
7. Aphex 107 - pre amp
8. Cubase SX
9. Reason 3
10. Hypersonic
11. UAD-1
12. Rode NT2000

I have all outputs coming from the q10 and going into the Mackie then back into the Q10 to record to a 24bit 44.1khz Wav file

I'm looking at the RME Fireface 800, and i'm wondering if it would give me a higher quality Sound than the Q10. My mixes in my opinion lacks Sonic Clarity and Definition that I hear from my local conterparts - (living in the Caribbean).

Does anyone have any info they could share on the RME fireface 800 vs. the Q10? or if any other suggestions of other Digital Audio cards or even other suggestions about the other stuff like Mixers, Or anything else

The main thing is that I want to Upgrade and I'm looking for valuable advice...

Styles - R&B - Hip Hop - ballads' Calypso, Soca..

Thanks in Advance

wow!, Guess everyone's busy....

That all sounds like decent gear. Sure there is always room for upgrading, but are you sure that the best way to improve clarity/definition in your mixes is to buy new toys? Could the mixing techniques themselves be improved?

just food for thought..

Appreciate the reply...

Well offcourse my mixing techniques could always use improving. I guess I'm just looking to improve my front end . I somewhat find that My recordings even though they sound pretty ok, It's just that it sounds too "BOXed Inn"(for lack of a better term). I don't know if it's because of the Q10 or what but I'm looking for something that will offer me more , Headroom, you know, better quality???

Any more Info????

Well, can't help much without actually hearing the work and seeing the gear in action. So it's hard to say what needs to be altered in your setup.
I mean, I have some of the lowest of low-end gear, I'll admit it. But I've learned to be able to pinpoint the things that need to be changed at whatever level of the project I'm on. Whether it's the mic selection and placement, guitar amp settings, drum tuning, EQ, compression, effects, balance, etc. And I can usually get something satisfactory.
If something sounds boxy, and I don't have the option to re-record, I look for EQ adjustments and effects that will give the sound more air. If the vocals sound thin, I'll double them, or create some kind of chorus effect, use compression, whatever. If I can track it again, I'll try a different mic or move it somewhere else, or change a setting somewhere (ie, guitar pickup, amp drive/gain, drum tuning/muffling...)
Just try and listen to each instrument in the mix, figure out what's wrong with it, how to improve it, and go from there.
Sure, maybe you do need better preamps or ADA converters to achieve what you're listening for. And I don't recommmend getting in the habit of 'fixing it in the mix.' Just know how to fix it in the mix if you have to b
So if you're having trouble getting the cleanest sound to disk to start with, go for the upgrade. It could very well be the gear.
Just explore the options.

Thanks uncle jerr. Sound advice...
(and no you're not an ***.) (I appreciate the advice)

I have to say, I agree with everything you said...

I'll do some more expermenting with the Mix and see if I can get something better.. Good points you made though.....

But in the mean time I'm eyeing the Q10 with and Eye of Fury...(ha ha)
Have you however had the chance to use any RME or Lynx II or cards of that nature??????

Would really like to know your thoughs on those type of cards....
Or anyone elses..


thanks.....

I was afraid you took my comment about improving mixing techniques the wrong way, haha.
I've not used those cards myself, sorry.