KVR Audio

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 3:32 am

Looks like my M-Audio FW410 has reached the end of its life. The Firewire card I got for my Win8.1 PC isn't recognized no matter which version of the card's drivers I install. I got a FW cable for the MacBook Pro running OS X 10.11, but the OS refuses to install M-Audio drivers.

The only way I can see to get decent audio I/O again — something better than on-mobo sound chips — is to dump the FW410 and get another interface, this time a USB one because Firewire is slowly, painfully approaching extinction.

I won't be able to afford one for a while, but in the meantime I'd appreciate the benefit of others' experiences.

Here are my criteria.

Price $250 or less, ideally available from Sam Ash or Guitar Center so I can return it in person if necessary
Must work with Windows 8.1 now and eventually Win10
Must work with OS X 10.11
At least two inputs with both XLR and 1/4" TS phone jacks, to accept mic or electric guitar
At least two outputs with balanced TRS phone jacks, to connect to mixer or directly to active monitors
Decent quality mic preamps, 48-volt phantom power; input pad switches would be a bonus
Easily accessible controls for input gain, main output level
At least one fairly strong headphone output with level control
Durable housing, preferably of metal
5-pin DIN MIDI in/out jacks would be a bonus
S/PDIF in/out would also be a bonus but isn't necessary
Manufacturer: ABMA. Anybody But M-Audio.

I've been looking at the Scarlett 6i6, which is within my price range. The Focusrite website says it's Win8 compatible. Is anyone using this device or one of its close relatives? What do you think of it? How are Focusrite at keeping drivers updated? (My past experience with M-Audio drivers has been one frustration after another. I don't care to repeat that experience.)

What other USB devices are worth considering?

robotmonkey · Post by **robotmonkey** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:21 am

As your need are quite modest there are tons of interfaces to choose from. So first which I would exclude: Behringer, Alesis, Lexicon, Akai because they all have lousy driver support and I have no faith in any of the companies fixing any problems ASAP.

Focusrite interface itself seems to be quite ok. I actually bought a Scarlett 18i8 the other week but have yet to properly install and use it. Build quality wise it's solid. The drivers are not that good out of the box but supposedly the new beta driver is a good step forward. You also get some nice plugins with Focusrite interfaces (Novation B-Station, Scarlett suite - fairly useless, Red suite - very nice, Softube Time and Tone bundle - quite useful).

NI Audio Kontrol would be the interface I could recommend wholeheartedly as it has proven itself over time. Very well built, very good sounding and excellent driver support. NI USB drivers are among the best in this price range. Stable and with very low latency, also updated regularly.

t3toooo · Post by **t3toooo** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:52 am

I guess it will do not completely fulfill your needs but i want to mention it.
I love my new Yamaha AG03 for my second smaller Rig.
No Midi and SPDIF though but i would add that separately if i need it.

The Yamaha is very well laid out,sturdy metal housing,knobs and faders are tight nice quality, inputs/outputs are sounding gorgeous-noise free (only the Hi-Z Guitar input seems to lack a bit,that's what i've read) and the drivers are very good.

tweeky99 · Post by **tweeky99** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 11:08 am

Have you looked at the Apogee Duet II? It ticks most of your boxes and a nice little desktop unit. I've had one for a couple of years and I love it.

pljones · Post by **pljones** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 12:46 pm

tweeky99 wrote:Have you looked at the Apogee Duet II? It ticks most of your boxes and a nice little desktop unit. I've had one for a couple of years and I love it.

It's nearly $600 with no PC support? That's the top two ticks missed already... Not a great start

. Then needs an extra break out cable for proper audio I/O making it not particularly robust (if my experience with such things is anything to go by). Most of the control needs fiddling with - one knob does everything, so not exactly easily accessible. Two more misses... No MIDI or S/PDIF, either...

I'm expecting to be in the same position with my Echo AudioFire 4 -- at some point, I expect it to no longer work with Windows, although so far the Win8.1 drivers are holding up. Echo might do a minor patch if that's all that's needed but they're out of the market now, so anything new from them isn't going to happen. (And I need MIDI I/O, too...)

Do NI still do Audio Kontrol? I don't see it in their EU online shop at the moment.

Anyone tried the Roland Duo Capture EX? (My normal aversion to Roland tends to dissuade me...)

robotmonkey · Post by **robotmonkey** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 4:04 pm

pljones wrote: Do NI still do Audio Kontrol? I don't see it in their EU online shop at the moment.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... e-audio-6/

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 4:05 pm

Thanks to everyone who's replied. Some good info here.

@robotmonkey: Good to know about the build quality. I've been wary of the companies you list for driver issues and other reasons. Other than drivers, included software is in the "nice extra but not a big factor for me" category. Looking at the 6i6 specs it appears to come with a software control panel, software versions of the Red eq and compressor, Bass Station software, and some Loopmaster samples. Sounds good.

The NI Kontrol series look more focused on DJing than desktop recording and such that I do. NI Komplete Audio 6 looks like a viable choice. I can't tell whether it's meant to tie into an "ecosystem" of NI hardware and software. I don't particularly want to get started on a gotta-catch-em-all quest; I suppose that's not necessary, just tempting. Having display LEDs and output level knob on top could be a plus or a minus; I'd need to rearrange my setup but it does provide lots of space on the device. I'll put this one on the short list. Thank you for the recommendation.

@t3toooo: I hadn't considered Yamaha. The AG06 might be better suited to my present and likely future needs than the AG03, and it's quite inexpensive too(oo). The variety of inputs and controls would be good for doing video tuts or podcasts. Impedance might be a drawback, as my '96 MiM Tele's output level isn't terribly hot. Still, I use a short, well-shielded guitar cable so that can likely be dealt with. Its physical layout is a lot like the Mackie 402-VLZ3 it would be sharing desktop space with, so they'd look harmonious together (being silly here but hey). Another solid contender, thanks.

@tweeky99: If I used the Mac more, and if I had about twice as much dosh to deal, the Apogee would be a good choice. But the PC is my main music machine. Not many inputs or outputs either, I'm not crazy about the dongle/octopus for I/O, and I'd still have to buy a Lightning connection to get it hooked up. Waves Silver would be a nice extra but it probably pumps the price up, and I'm well set up for software effects.Nice device, not something I can use though. Still, thanks for the suggestion. It never hurts to broaden one's search beyond the expected.

@pljones: On the NI, see my comments to robotmonkey. Komplete Audio 6 seems to be a strong candidate.

I'd not looked into the Roland until now. Limited to 48k sample rate, not a disqualifier but I'd like to have 96k or 192k if possible — I sometimes alter very high-frequency sounds by pitching them way down. The high/low impedance switch for input 1 is a nice touch. Quad-Capture is still within my price range, and it handles the higher sample rates. Reviews on Sweetwater are very strong. Worth a look. Thanks!

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 4:23 pm

I've had good experiences with NI AK1. Used it with 3 different laptops and OS's with zero problems (on WIN 8.1 currently). It's built like a tank, and has good drivers. If I had to upgrade would likely go for Komplete 6 , unless NI bring out a new one soon. It's on special offer til new year ...

solger · Post by **solger** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 4:49 pm

Meffy wrote:The NI Kontrol series look more focused on DJing than desktop recording and such that I do. NI Komplete Audio 6 looks like a viable choice. I can't tell whether it's meant to tie into an "ecosystem" of NI hardware and software. I don't particularly want to get started on a gotta-catch-em-all quest; I suppose that's not necessary, just tempting. Having display LEDs and output level knob on top could be a plus or a minus; I'd need to rearrange my setup but it does provide lots of space on the device. I'll put this one on the short list. Thank you for the recommendation.

I myself am running the KA6 since 2011 on Windows 7/10 and OSX (I'm still on Yosemite) with no major problems over the years ...

The KA6 was first released in 2011 and got some driver and firmware updates over the years. And it still comes with bundled software (Komplete Elements, Traktor 2 LE and Cubase LE).

It can be used as an audio interface in general with other hardware or software (no ties to other NI stuff) ...

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 4:55 pm

solger wrote:It can be used as an audio interface in general with other hardware or software (no ties to other NI stuff) ...

That's what I figured but it's good to hear from people who've used the gear for real. Thaks.

fedexnman · Post by **fedexnman** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 5:18 pm

I'm using an Echoaudiofire4 FireWire device Windows10 64 running the W8drivers no problems . I too and am wanting an USB Audio interface .... RME babyface pro , Arturia Audiofuse , and the Focusrite stuff are on my radar , mainly because they are known to work with and on all Linux ,Windows, and Mac . I will probably build a new PC soon and want to ditch FireWire ...... The Focusrite seem to be pretty cheap.

dsan@mail.com · Post by **dsan@mail.com** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 5:22 pm

Here is one I'm looking at(because of the FW reasons you mention) and has been recommended by Kaine from Scan Pro in at least two threads here which I feel pretty good about:

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/studio ... -converter

It has nice specs, has drivers for W10 and ElCapitan! znd gets decent reviews around the web.

Only criteria it does not meet is available at Sam Ash or GC, although GC does carry the brand.

HTH

fedexnman · Post by **fedexnman** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 5:40 pm

dsan@mail.com wrote:Here is one I'm looking at(because of the FW reasons you mention) and has been recommended by Kaine from Scan Pro in at least two threads here which I feel pretty good about:

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/studio ... -converter

It has nice specs, has drivers for W10 and ElCapitan! znd gets decent reviews around the web.

Only criteria it does not meet is available at Sam Ash or GC, although GC does carry the brand.

HTH

USB3 .....

Its got a USB class compliance switch I wonder if this will work on Linux ? It's says iPad compatible , looks like a nice interface .

pljones · Post by **pljones** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 6:48 pm

Oh that does look nice and I'd tend to trust Zoom from what I've read. Damn good price at Scan right now, too... If my Echo dies, this is definitely something to take a close look at.

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 7:09 pm

Looks great value for the Scan price ... if it had 4 outs (to allow a cue mix) I would pick one up in a shot.

Looking for audio interface recommendations