Audio interface with solid drivers/software that doesn't break the bank?

[EnGee]

For a hybrid setup, would you guys recommend Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen? I'm thinking either about this or MOTU M4, which one would have better conversion, drivers and overall performance? I've also thought about Behringer UMC404HD, but I've heard their drivers are fickle and headphone preamps are on the weak side.

If you use Studio One, then I suggest a Presonus audio interface, maybe the Studio 1810c. I have iTwo and was very happy with it for several years (not only with Studio One, but especially with S1). But I needed more audio inputs. I thought to buy Studio 1810c but it was out of stock and the dealer gave me a good deal with Tascam US 4x4HR.

I'm very happy with my Tascam US 4x4HR. I don't have a problem with my two synths plugged in (Stereo each) for about more than 4 months now!
The latency in general is not the best but it is ok. No problem for me. I use also 250 Ohm headphones (DT 990 Pro) and the sound is very good.



Here is a good review for its little brother, but they are identical except for inputs/outputs. You might search his channel for the audio interface you want:

[crickey13]

Looks nice. If I picked Tascam, I'd probably go for the 4x4, since I need the extra line I/O.

[EnGee]

If you go with Tascam US 4x4 HR, just be sure to download the HR drivers not for the older model (without HR).

In case you buy a Presonus audio interface, it comes with Studio One Artist v5, which comes with unlimited tracks and VST/VSTi support (really fantastic DAW!).

[crickey13]

Frankly, I'm leaning towards Motu M4 so far. BTW, I already have Clarett 4Pre, but I'm looking for a backup interface. I'm not buying anything just yet, just weighing different options.

In case you buy a Presonus audio interface, it comes with Studio One Artist v5, which comes with unlimited tracks and VST/VSTi support (really fantastic DAW!).

That's really generous. I don't need another DAW for the time being, but I will bear that in mind.

[EnGee]

Motu M4 was out of stock when I wanted to buy, otherwise I might have it now because they guy, in the previous video, have tested a Motu M2 (I think it has the same components as M4) and said it is an excellent audio interface:

[crickey13]

Yeah, it seems like the best deal for the money in this price bracket. It has quality converters and all the I/O I need, plus the price is right. Maybe could be a tiny bit cheaper, but then again, it's MOTU and the pricing isn't too bad anyways.

Behringer UMC404HD looks tempting for the kind of price they go, but I want good line I/O and it seems lacking in this regard.

[EnGee]

I don't know about Behringer audio interfaces. I have one of their synths (DM12D) and it seems to have a good quality build.
It has almost half price the others, but their synths are also cheap. It doesn't mean bad! Anyway, I read somewhere in the net, that some models are not so good and have problems in stability, but I don't remember where I read that!

[crickey13]

I don't feel about Behringer one way or another, so I have no preconceptions about them.

From what I read, the issue with UMC series is that the line connections are not true line connections, they're impedance-balanced connections. This means you can still pick up electrical hum, hiss and ground feedback.

On top of that, the "line" outputs' levels aren't that high, so that combined with potential noise leaks is far from optimal if you're planning on using the line connections extensively like I do. I want to send signal to outboard gear and I can't run risks like that. If Behringer released a similarly priced follow-up version with proper line connections, I'd be very interested.

[vena]

I recorded with the Behringer the other day and it sounded pretty good. Even though it's supposed to just be plug and play I spent hours trying to get it to work and it turns out you need to download the drivers for it. It worked straight away then. Not bad.

I'm saving up to buy a more expensive and better quality interface with at least 4 inputs. Budget around 400 pounds. There are a few to choose from.

[Yearofthegoat]

If that's more than you need, then I'd recommend a Zoom U22. I have the larger U24 and it has stellar sound quality and low latency, which are the two most important things.

Seconded. I have the U-44, which has SPDIF i/o, MIDI i/o and a standalone mode, plus line out, monitor out and zero latency direct monitoring. Bus powered too and small enough for a laptop bag.

That standalone mode will do simultaneous analogue and digital in and out - e.g. in from two Mics and stereo SPDIF at the same time, while sending it all out to phones, monitors and SPDIF at the same time, and with no delay between the different outputs.

Importantly, this mode lets you use it as a converter with a 'better' interface doing the heavy lifting.

I'm about to get an RME Digiface for its super-low latency for in-the-box, and plumb in the U44 for its inputs when needed.

It'll also accept add-on capsules (albeit at the expense of SPDIF input) so you can add various mics or a couple more XLR/TRS combi sockets.

I've been genuinely impressed with it.

[BONES]

Best of all, it is the only interface I own with noticeably better sound quality than all the others. (I currently own five different ones, maybe six).

[ztrauq]

I don't know about Behringer audio interfaces. I have one of their synths (DM12D) and it seems to have a good quality build.
It has almost half price the others, but their synths are also cheap. It doesn't mean bad! Anyway, I read somewhere in the net, that some models are not so good and have problems in stability, but I don't remember where I read that!

I don't know a lot about the more capable interfaces, but I have a couple of extremely inexpensive Behringer UCA202 interfaces that I have used more for utility than instrument purposes - one serves as a USB headphone jack for a laptop that has a busted one, the other is part of a bridge setup between an iPad and a receiver for recording an old vinyl collection. I don't know if the sound qualifies as pristine, but it's good enough for my use, and the one on the laptop lasted for years before its own headphone jack started getting flaky about a month ago. Still, given the thing cost about $20 when I bought it, hard to complain about value for money.

[EnGee]

I don't know a lot about the more capable interfaces, but I have a couple of extremely inexpensive Behringer UCA202 interfaces that I have used more for utility than instrument purposes - one serves as a USB headphone jack for a laptop that has a busted one, the other is part of a bridge setup between an iPad and a receiver for recording an old vinyl collection. I don't know if the sound qualifies as pristine, but it's good enough for my use, and the one on the laptop lasted for years before its own headphone jack started getting flaky about a month ago. Still, given the thing cost about $20 when I bought it, hard to complain about value for money.

But do you use it to record? It has only 16bit converters, right? Up to 48kHz. However, I think the DAW is not affected by that, so you can use 32bit recording with 96kHz if you want, right?

[dellboy]

I don't feel about Behringer one way or another, so I have no preconceptions about them.

From what I read, the issue with UMC series is that the line connections are not true line connections, they're impedance-balanced connections. This means you can still pick up electrical hum, hiss and ground feedback.

On top of that, the "line" outputs' levels aren't that high, so that combined with potential noise leaks is far from optimal if you're planning on using the line connections extensively like I do. I want to send signal to outboard gear and I can't run risks like that. If Behringer released a similarly priced follow-up version with proper line connections, I'd be very interested.

I have to say that I do not understand the technical stuff you are speaking of, but I have owned a UMC204HD from when they were released and its been great. Its built like a tank with decent preamps and I have not noticed any hum. For the price its ridiculous value for money and has useful midi in out. It also has spare inputs for return FX (or something), but I just use them to plug in a mixer which works fine. The usual problem with Audio interfaces is that drivers are not updated, but Behringer has kept up and it still works fine on Windows 11.

[pierb]

Other than that, I have heard good Things about Audient.

I have an Audient EVO 8 and, honestly, I'd hesitate to recommend it. Mine initialises with random buffer settings, completely ignoring the settings I have made. It's very annoying and when I contacted Audient about it, I never received a response. They did update the firmware and drivers a few weeks later but that was a hugely frustrating experience and I still don't know if I have the latest firmware or not - the firmware version number isn't the latest but it insists that it is up to date - and the other problem hasn't been fixed.

I've been happy with my Audient ID4. I've had it for 6 years and used on Mac and Windows.

The only issue I've had is that when my PC wakes up sometimes the interface is disconnected so I have to unplug it and plug it again. I've messed around with Windows USB settings, used a powered hub, etc but have not been able to fix it. I suspect it's some weird combination between the ID4 and the motherboard because this didn't happen with my previous PC.