Which audio interface?

CallOffTheVote · 2015-10-20T07:24:28.000Z

""rex_mundii"":

My saffire pro 40 has been chugging along nicely since I got it in 2010.
Waiting for the damn thing to die so I can justify an upgrade.

Haha. Yeah im going to be keeping an eye on the first surface book user feedback and maybe pick one up when they release v2. Which would kind of kill my focusrite setup cos of the firewire connection, so I’m beginning to think about possible upgrade in a year or so… But until then it covers all my needs well. For the op I guess connection choice will play a big part in his decision.

rex_mundii · 2015-10-20T08:30:01.000Z

LOL… I s’pose any manufacturer would be thrilled to have customers that bought their products shrieking, “why won’t it just die!!” over the internet years later. Can’t hurt the OP’s confidence in their choice either.

No idea how long these things are s’posed to last for. Actually wouldn’t mind if it held out for another 2 - 3 years until I’ll be ready to do the OTB mix setup properly.

invisible_acropolis · 2015-10-20T11:57:55.000Z

""reeloy"":

ps…forget about this fw discussion…the protocoll will stay forever, no matter what plug you got to use for it…metric halo works with all that shit…the got the most rock solid and fastest drivers on the planet…

Thats a pipe dream. Firewire is already no longer used in modern computers. There are no machines being made today with built-in firewire, and the add-on cards and related support software certainly will not be manufactured “forever”.
Of course there is always the vintage market…

joeyfivecents · 2015-10-20T16:05:37.000Z

I’ve been having a lot of fun with the iConnectAUDIO4+. The only catch is, it only has 4 inputs. It does however have infinite routing capabilities and you can use 2 different hosts/computers or incorporate an iPad. I just like the routing because I can route everything out of Live into the OT or vice versa OR…use it standalone and use usb midi with the OT. It can also host a usb hub with usb midi devices all sending to or receiving from the OT. I also have a Saffire Pro 40. It also has plenty of routing choices and you can run an ADAT equipped pre through it with light pipe (behringer ada 8000, I think that’s what I have…)

AUX · 2015-10-21T07:08:30.000Z

828x &.cheap 2nd hand motu (traveler?) for extra 8 channels via adat = 18 analogue I/O

revert · 2015-10-25T22:30:57.000Z

Have to agree that RME is awesome. I didn’t have the budget and have an 828x using the Thunderbolt connection on MBP and love it.

Currently looking at options to expand the I/O using ADAT

atebit · 2015-10-26T13:02:34.000Z

[quote=““Hans Olo””]
Hi folks,

thanks for all your input. I ended up getting the Focusrite 18i20. My local dealer has a more than generous return policy, so I can always go for something more sophisticated in case the Scarlett doesn’t meet my needs. My plan is to get a Behringer 8200 to go with it for 16 analog I/O and I expect this combo to last me a while before I outgrow it.

Cheers,
Hans
[/quote]

Hi Hans

I have the exact same (18i20 and ADA8200) works great - I recommend running optical cable both ways so that 18i20 can be the master ‘clock’ for your audio. iConnectMIDI4+ for MIDI routing and now I have all the flexibility I could want - can route any combination of instruments to MnM, MD, OT or A4. Just need one more audio cable so I can run things through the SubPhatty filter!

DeniseK · 2015-10-26T13:27:56.000Z

I have the Yamaha MG10XU.
It is a Mixer with real good sound and 192khz audio inteface.
For me enough inputs (4 Mono and 3 Stereo Ins) and a real nice FX-Unit as well included.
I have connected:
A4
TR8
Volca Bass
iPad

For your needs a Yamaha MG12XU would be more useful. It has one more Stereo In.
The sound to my MacBook in Logic is really good.

With such a Unit you can connect to PA, your PC/Mac, your monitors and have a nice effects unit as well.

t · 2016-07-15T11:21:05.564Z

On a Mac with a Thunderbolt port, you’ll be able to use your Firewire devices for a long, long time…

invisible_acropolis · 2016-07-15T13:31:59.542Z

as long as they dont break, or an OSX update makes the device stop working

t · 2016-07-15T14:34:57.894Z

Sure, that’s always true regardless of interface type… Just pointing out that a Thunderbolt port functions exactly like a Firewire port as long as you get Apple’s dongle.

OHEXOH · 2016-07-15T14:42:30.281Z

Heard only good things about the K-Mix https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/k-mix/

Just don’t get a Mackie desk. Awful driver support.

avantronica · 2016-07-15T14:55:03.331Z

t:

Just pointing out that a Thunderbolt port functions exactly like a Firewire port

I understood it possibly wouldn’t do daisy chaining or powering properly (i.e. doesn’t fully act like a FireWire port), If you have a lot of FireWire stuff this could be an issue … reviews for info

t · 2016-07-15T15:11:24.930Z

You get slightly less power, but as far as I know that’s mostly a practical issue for some portable raid drives, not for smaller bus-powered audio interfaces.

Anything big will use its own power supply anyway.

Haven’t heard about any issues with Firewire daisy-chaining, but otoh you might not want to do that too much on the bus your audio interface is connected to anyway.

I see some complaints on the page you link to from people running Windows on their Mac, or from people using the dongle on non-Apple hardware. I hope it’s obvious that that’s not the best idea ever.

invisible_acropolis · 2016-07-15T16:25:58.290Z

t:

Sure, that’s always true regardless of interface type…

its not true of interfaces that are still being produced and/or updated - thats the point, at some point the manufacturers drop support… its happened before, it will happen again

Leo · 2016-07-15T16:36:15.324Z

I’ve used a MOTU 828mkII for over a decade. It’s been great. I think finding an audio interface is a personal struggle we all go through. I tried several before I landed on this one. I realize I’ll have to change up soon as this one is so old, but for now, it keeps going strong.

I am on Windows, and I’ve had virtually no issue with my MOTU. I did have to have the hardware repaired about 8 years ago, but it was covered for shipping.

t · 2016-07-15T16:59:58.779Z

Sorry, with “interface type” I mean the type of connection, e.g. USB, Firewire, etc.

todayidance · 2016-07-20T14:30:03.726Z

there is a sale on this Zoom TAC-8 Thunderbolt £300 - normally over £500

www.gear4music.com

Zoom TAC-8 Thunderbolt Audio Interface at Gear4music.com

this seems like a good price so i just ordered one rather hastily. the price seems to go to be true or is there a catch - is it not very good?

vlkr · 2020-08-21T19:07:17.048Z

Even if this post is a few years old it is so true. I got a 2882+dsp in 2003 and with the latest 3d upgrade I am pretty sure it will live on for at least the next 10 years. Quality of the converters is still superb (tho just up to 96k). One of the most exeptional examples of sustainibilty in the audio industry

WDave40 · 2020-08-21T19:53:09.869Z

I can vouch for the Behringer 1820. I’ve had one for a year or so. Nowt wrong with it to my admittedly untrained ears and its class compliant. I liked it so much I bought a Behringer ada8200 this week for 8 more ins and outs.