Looking For The Right Audio Interface

[Anon_1986]

Good morning everyone,


Hopefully I'm posting in the right section, and if not, my apologies.

As a preface, I'm very new to advanced audio hardware. For years, all I had to really work with was a Line 6 POD, and only recently started having extra money laying around that allowed me to branch out a bit.

Getting to it, then, I'm looking for an audio interface, internal sound card, or some kind of mixer, specifically something that can stream multiple separate audio signals. For instance, I want to route drums and only drums to one output that I can then plug into hardware equalizers and other sound processors, and be able to, at the same time, route bass to another output, and route that to hardware. While all this is going on, I want to have one master output that will tell me how everything is sounding all together, both the rest of the mix and the processed audio in real time.

If anyone could offer suggestions on how this could be achieved and with what kind of hardware, I would greatly appreciate it.
Also, if this can be achieved with any kind of software, I would also be interested in that.


Wishing you all well and thanks for your time,
-Anon_1986

[Redmerkurii]

Hi Anon I think you may be looking for a rack mountable interface with eight mic preamps and eight + two (master) outputs.

There's good value units to be had in this segment of the market.

Check online retailers for variety, prices etc.

I myself use a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 coupled with a Focusrite OctoPre Mk2 Dynamic via ADAT.

The OctoPre acts as a kind of expander unit to give me a further 8 physical inputs and outputs.

The bundled Mix Control software sees both units like one large interface which can then be accessed by your DAW.

All your signal routing wishes can come true with this kind of setup.

The beauty of the Focusrite units is that they do not have to be coupled to a computer to operate in this way.

I have them working in tandem with a Soundcraft EPM12 analogue mixer as the core of my live rig.

Hope this helps and happy hunting

Btw Welcome to KvR!

[gjvti]

I would look for rme ucx, but it costs more than ios device itself

[Anon_1986]

Hey Redmerkurii,

Thanks for the welcome, I appreciate it.

As for your suggestion, that looks great, but I have to ask: is there anything cheaper and with less outputs? I doubt, for what I'm doing, I would need 20 outputs, not to mention the price point is a bit beyond what I can manage currently.
Do most interfaces that can be plugged into your computer (via USB, optimally) and have multiple outputs listed offer the kind of functionality I'm looking for? For an example, something like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 or 6i6.


Hey Gjvti,

Apologies, but that's well beyond what I can afford right now, unless a seller offers a ridiculous kind of payment plan, that is.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.




Thank you both for your time and for your willingness to help.

Wishing you both well,
-Anon_1986

[Redmerkurii]

Hi Anon given the description of your output wishes above you could just about manage that with the 6i6. A master stereo pair output on TRS (1/4 inch Jacks), an auxiliary out on TRS (1/4 inch Jacks) drums maybe? and finally an RCA S/PDIF digital stereo output (for Bass?) though this would need an outboard processor with RCA S/PDIF input.

If funds are tight and the smaller format is all you really need (for now) defo go for this type of unit.

I originally started with a Presonus Firebox which was a great little unit and still in use to this day.

I would also recommend the purchase of a small format desktop mixer to act as a front end for your interface and enable you to mix the externally processed signals.

I've used a Behringer UB802 for years now. It was originally the front end for the Firebox but now gets used for small P.A. duties where only a handful of channels are required.

Research all your options before you purchase and check reviews of products on your shortlist. A wise buy in the beginning can pay off years later.