Most Stable and Easy to Use Brand of Audio Interface for PC

[Karl the Hermit]

I'm looking for the actual companies, not models here...

---I own an M-Audio Delta 44 I bought around 13 years ago... that bad boy has been switched in-and-out of 3 different computers and works like a charm. Unfortunately, the A/D converters are way out of date. Does M-audio still have a good rep for being plug-n-play and having decent, updated sound drivers?

---I felt a need last year to start making music again early last year and bought a Presonus Audiobox 22VSL. It worked, but my computer was going BSOD, so Presonus tech's final answer was my BIOS must be too old to handle the 22VSL. Since my computer was bought in 2011, I can't say I disagree. Bought a new computer last year with a much newer BIOS and still can't get it to work. I'm ready to cut my losses and go all "Office Space" on this POS!

---I know some folks will answer with "spend $400" on some high-end brand like RME, but A) that's not in the budget, and B) I can't believe that other companies haven't been able to make reliable sound drivers that are under $100 or $200. I'm a scratch computer muso on my best day and don't need to spend my Ramen noodle money on an audio interface...

---I'm a solo vocalist, so I don't really even need a 2x2 interface. I do need zero-latency (or something real close), though.

Thanks!

[Zexila]

Steinberg, UR12.

Also, thanks for posting about Presonus, they will not move from my blacklist for a while, horrible company.

[Karl the Hermit]

Steinberg, UR12.

Also, thanks for posting about Presonus, they will not move from my blacklist for a while, horrible company.

Honestly, the company's not nearly as horrible as its' product. They were very friendly and helpful until you got to the point where their product just sucks and there's nothing tech support can do about that... lol!

At first blush, I'm a bit wary of using something from a company like Steinberg because there's something about them that smells of "proprietary" about them, but as long as they're updated regularly and not limiting me to only the Cubase(is) daws, I'm open to trying them.

[chk071]

If you don't happen to have a cheap wifi card in your computer, i can wholeheartedly recommend the Steinberg interfaces too. I have a UR12, and a UR22, and both are working fine. Since i replaced the cheap TP-Link card of my desktop computer for a ASUS card. Before that, i had dropouts with the TP-Link card, which i could only avoid by deactivating the card. No issues anymore now. And i never had an issue on my laptop with both interfaces either.

[Zexila]

Honestly, the company's not nearly as horrible as its' product. They were very friendly and helpful until you got to the point where their product just sucks and there's nothing tech support can do about that... lol!

They blame user base until it's obvious it's them, that's horrible practice.

At first blush, I'm a bit wary of using something from a company like Steinberg because there's something about them that smells of "proprietary" about them, but as long as they're updated regularly and not limiting me to only the Cubase(is) daws, I'm open to trying them.

They are solid.

[zenophilix]

I've had good luck with my PreSonus box - unless you count the arbitrary hissing noises.

[Karl the Hermit]

I've had good luck with my PreSonus box - unless you count the arbitrary hissing noises.

Awesome! You mean if I can get this PresOnuS 22VSL working, I can count on random hissing noises? Yikes!

At this point, I'm leaning toward either a Steinberg or a Focusrite unit...

[zenophilix]

I've had good luck with my PreSonus box - unless you count the arbitrary hissing noises.

Awesome! You mean if I can get this PresOnuS 22VSL working, I can count on random hissing noises? Yikes!

At this point, I'm leaning toward either a Steinberg or a Focusrite unit...

I wouldn't say you can count on it. Mine's the original, USB 1.1 Audiobox USB, and it's the only one I've owned thus far. I wanted the 22VSL, but..

[Karl the Hermit]

I've had good luck with my PreSonus box - unless you count the arbitrary hissing noises.

Awesome! You mean if I can get this PresOnuS 22VSL working, I can count on random hissing noises? Yikes!

At this point, I'm leaning toward either a Steinberg or a Focusrite unit...

I wouldn't say you can count on it. Mine's the original, USB 1.1 Audiobox USB, and it's the only one I've owned thus far. I wanted the 22VSL, but..

I'm going to give it one more shot, and if it doesn't work out, let me know where you live so I can send it to you...

[JJ_Jettflow]

Focusrite.

[zenophilix]

I've had good luck with my PreSonus box - unless you count the arbitrary hissing noises.

Awesome! You mean if I can get this PresOnuS 22VSL working, I can count on random hissing noises? Yikes!

At this point, I'm leaning toward either a Steinberg or a Focusrite unit...

I wouldn't say you can count on it. Mine's the original, USB 1.1 Audiobox USB, and it's the only one I've owned thus far. I wanted the 22VSL, but..

I'm going to give it one more shot, and if it doesn't work out, let me know where you live so I can send it to you...

Ha, don't mind a P.O. box, do you?

Okay, but really, hoping it works out for you. I'd really like mine to be a fluke.

Focusrite.

This, though. It's hard to go wrong with Focusrite, I see people using them everywhere, producer or not. Hell, 95% of the time, if I see an interface in someone's setup on Youtube, it's a Focusrite.

[lolilol1975]

Definitely have a look at Roland.

[Zexila]

Avoid Focusrite, bad usb drivers, awesome customer support, their firewire line is solid tho.

[rod_zero]

After RME, Steinberg has the best drivers on windows.

[Karl the Hermit]

After RME, Steinberg has the best drivers on windows.

I've literally read a dozen different rankings on low-end audio interfaces and I can tell you that Steinberg has consistently been in top 3 of every single one. I could readily believe your statement, sir.