I have just been using the onboard realtek sound card, but lately it has really been bugging me with noise artifacts. Especially with tenor choirs, there is a loud high pitched buzzing sound, which makes me cringe any time I hear it, so I figure I need to upgrade.
I have 0 real instruments and no plans to get any right now, and not worried about vocals either, so the audio inputs and nice preamps aren't as big of a concern. I have a midi keyboard but it plugs in USB without any problems so the midi isn't as big of a concern either. I just really need something that sounds decent that isn't too expensive. With that in mind, what would be a good choice?
First audio interface, only need output
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do_androids_dream do_androids_dream https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=164034 - KVRAF
- 2908 posts since 26 Oct, 2007 from Kent, UK
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- KVRAF
- 3303 posts since 6 Jul, 2012 from Sick-cily
M-Audio Fast Track Ultra, also second hand: good preamps, good conversion AD\DA and the greatest price ratio! 
Cheers From Sickcily...
Cheers From Sickcily...
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do_androids_dream do_androids_dream https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=164034
- KVRAF
- 2908 posts since 26 Oct, 2007 from Kent, UK
Sounds like you want a nice DAC (digital to analogue converter) to improve the audio quality. For a desktop i would recommend a PCI card solution (rather than something that connects with USB) if you're not after lots of ins and outs. Something like an Maudio 2496 would be a good start. I have an Echo Mia which is a great sounding card.
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- KVRist
- 334 posts since 9 Nov, 2012 from Colorado, USA
get a MAudio or a Focusrite Scarlett.
Anything will be a much better improvement over the RealTek onboad with ASIO4All driver.
You don't list where you are living but check pawnshops or used music stores and pick up a used interface and downloadable online drivers.
Anything will be a much better improvement over the RealTek onboad with ASIO4All driver.
You don't list where you are living but check pawnshops or used music stores and pick up a used interface and downloadable online drivers.
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- KVRAF
- 6418 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
You choice of interfaces will be more limited with only output options, and most probably not made for homestudio stuff - meaning long delay on output(high latency). Output only DAC are usually made for listening and improving streamed media etc.
Look at Mackie Blackjack, it should cover anything you need for a long period of time.
Really good preamps for the day you need it, and really affordable.
Look at Mackie Blackjack, it should cover anything you need for a long period of time.
Really good preamps for the day you need it, and really affordable.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 60 posts since 5 Nov, 2012
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not saying that I only want output, just that that is what currently matters the most to me. If there was an audio interface that was good except for the preamps which was a dealbreaker for most people, it would be fine for me. So I was actually hoping to be more open to options rather than limit myself based on things I wouldn't be using.
I live in Utah, not sure how much luck I would have at pawn shops, and seems a bit iffy. Never bought anything at a pawn shop actually. I take it you buy things as is? So if I did buy something there and it didn't work I'm out of luck? I usually prefer to buy hardware new for the warranty.
I live in Utah, not sure how much luck I would have at pawn shops, and seems a bit iffy. Never bought anything at a pawn shop actually. I take it you buy things as is? So if I did buy something there and it didn't work I'm out of luck? I usually prefer to buy hardware new for the warranty.
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- KVRAF
- 1906 posts since 15 Oct, 2008 from Germany
For output only I can highly recommend the Native Instruments Traktor Audio 2. Cheap, great sound, great drivers. I've never had a single issue with it. You get two independent stereo outputs for e.g. monitor and headphones. Also nice if you're DJing and have a external DJ mixer. The outputs aren't balanced, though. I've added a Behringer HD400 to balance the signal and get rid of some weird computer noises I heard on my monitors.
For a bit more (actually, the same as a Traktor Audio 2 + the HD400), you can get a Scarlett 2i2 which gives you two inputs with nice preamps. That makes it a bit future proof. Having a couple of inputs is never a bad idea IMO, even you don't see immediate use right now. Unlike the Traktor Audio 2, the 2i2 only gives you one stereo pair as output (balanced, though, which is nice). You can still connect monitors and headphones at the same time, but both will play the same thing. If you need two distinct stereo pairs, the next step up is the 2i4, which basically combines the output configuration of the Traktor Audio 2 with the inputs of the 2i2. Only one of the output pairs is balanced, though.
I can't say much about other brands, but I do have a Traktor Audio 2 and two Scarlett interfaces (6i6 and 18i20) and I'm pretty happy with all of them. If you don't need four distinct outputs, the 2i2 is a good choice IMO.
For a bit more (actually, the same as a Traktor Audio 2 + the HD400), you can get a Scarlett 2i2 which gives you two inputs with nice preamps. That makes it a bit future proof. Having a couple of inputs is never a bad idea IMO, even you don't see immediate use right now. Unlike the Traktor Audio 2, the 2i2 only gives you one stereo pair as output (balanced, though, which is nice). You can still connect monitors and headphones at the same time, but both will play the same thing. If you need two distinct stereo pairs, the next step up is the 2i4, which basically combines the output configuration of the Traktor Audio 2 with the inputs of the 2i2. Only one of the output pairs is balanced, though.
I can't say much about other brands, but I do have a Traktor Audio 2 and two Scarlett interfaces (6i6 and 18i20) and I'm pretty happy with all of them. If you don't need four distinct outputs, the 2i2 is a good choice IMO.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 60 posts since 5 Nov, 2012
I found the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 on ebay for $143 new with free shipping. Is that a pretty good deal for it? Since I haven't shopped for these before I'm not sure what they have gone for in the past. Seems about the same price as the 2i2, so I'm wondering if I should just get it or wait a bit.
