Recommendations for a new Audio Interface

[perpetual3]

Babyface FS ($900) is 50% more expensive than the Motu Ultralite MK5 ($600). I don’t think that it’s worth 50% more money personally.

Thanks for the info, I'm a Windows boy, but I guess the quality of the driver will be at least similar. Still debating between MOTU M2, something from Antelope audio or RME babyface. Lucky I'm in no big rush

Babyface FS for Windows (not the old babyface).

[roman.i]

Babyface FS ($900) is 50% more expensive than the Motu Ultralite MK5 ($600). I don’t think that it’s worth 50% more money personally.

Babyface FS for Windows (not the old babyface).

I expect RME to be of a better build quality and components, knobs, connection that will last longer, as well as the unrivaled drivers for Windows. As one who owns a Prism Lyra for home use, I don't see how can we say that it "worth" any card above $200-$300, all cards nowadays are at a point you barely can hear a difference between a $500 and $2500 audio interface. He may just get a new version of the same card he has now and be happy. But if he decided to invest some money in a high quality gear, RME is a go to for sure.

[FapFilter]

I don't know, i wouldn't call the build quality of my MOTU M2 any worse, and i once had a Multiface II when i still had a desktop PC until 2012.
And reliability wise, no audio device has ever failed on me.

Of course, RME has certain areas, where they're really good at, but it's not that the whole competition are complete slouches compared to them.
And let's not forget that 100% professional results can be (and have been) perfectly achieved with some random budget audio interface to create some of the all time hits.
This holds true especislly today, where even the cheapest ones are pretty good in most regards

[perpetual3]

I think those expectations are not accurate compared to the Motu. Built like a tank, great drivers. But to each their own.

Babyface FS ($900) is 50% more expensive than the Motu Ultralite MK5 ($600). I don’t think that it’s worth 50% more money personally.

Babyface FS for Windows (not the old babyface).

I expect RME to be of a better build quality and components, knobs, connection that will last longer, as well as the unrivaled drivers for Windows. As one who owns a Prism Lyra for home use, I don't see how can we say that it "worth" any card above $200-$300, all cards nowadays are at a point you barely can hear a difference between a $500 and $2500 audio interface. He may just get a new version of the same card he has now and be happy. But if he decided to invest some money in a high quality gear, RME is a go to for sure.

[pdxindy]

Thanks, I was just browsing their webpage, and I was looking at the Baby Face, great option!
In terms of pricepoint I think it's acceptable, if I get another 10 years of audio fun out of it, I'm happy.
Many people seem very positive about their experiences with RME products, might have to bite the bullet as well, and give it a go!

I've got the BabyFace Pro FS... It's my second one as I gave the first one to a friend who couldn't afford one.

RME is fantastic. So solid, stable and reliable. I also have a big RME interface. The BabyFace Pro is great for your use and it is also portable. With my laptop, the BabyFace Pro runs off of USB so I sometimes go sit in the park. My laptop, BF Pro, Linnstrument 128, headphones and a Mic all fit in a backpack. I've gone camping with that setup and also traveled a lot internationally.

[OSWProduction]

Thanks all, I suppose it's time for an update.

I went and bought the SPL Marc One, mainly because it perfectly fits my setup perfectly, but also because of the focus on a good headphone amp. Sadly it's also a XMOS/Thesycon ASIO driver combo, so the performance is really not great, and as such I will be sending it back. I do like the "phonitor matrix" though on the SPL products. Since MOTU does seem to be developing their own drivers, I will be giving the M2 a shot next, as the RME products seem to be out of stock in my country.

It does seem like a hole in the market to me though, an interface that simply focusses on quality outputs (preferably 2 Headphone outputs, LCR output for the main monitors for if you have a sub, and second stereo output for additional reference monitors), minimal inputs (maybe 2 mono 6.3mm jacks without preamps for OOTB processing), and specifically GOOD, IN-HOUSE developed drivers like RME/MOTU, no Thesycon nonsense.

So many of the interface manufacturers are out of consideration for me because they don't develop their own drivers:
SPL, Audient, Focusrite, Black Lion, Fluid Audio and many more all use the same Thesycon driver...

[FapFilter]

the Babyface hasn't been available for a year now here i think.
it would have been my first choice too, if it was available when i was in for a new interface for my new laptop.

And RME definitely has these things going for it:
a) rock solid drivers
b) lowest possible latencies with the least amount of CPU usage
c) LONG term support
d) good internal mixer and monitoring software

though i think it is only really leading in b) and c), as other developers can also have rock solid drivers (it is just not always given and one has to inform him/herself if a specific interface is really good on his/her system)
MOTU has mixer software for it's more expensive interfaces too, though it is html based i think, which some think is not good (works offline though )

the lowest possible latencies are indeed nice, but some (not all) interfaces are not that far off, and it IMO in real world performance don't make that much of a difference... who here desperately requires a buffer set to 16 samples in order to record properly?

in the end, it actually doesn't matter all that much which interface you pick, as long as you make sure that you're not getting the odd one that's frequently getting slammed in reviews/opinions

my recommendation for the MOTU is only for the Apple side though, as you often hear that their interfaces are only so-so on Windows.

[T-CM11]

my recommendation for the MOTU is only for the Apple side though, as you often hear that their interfaces are only so-so on Windows.

So-so is an improvement - my experience in the past was just horrible.

Now very very happy with an RME Fireface UC! Its replacement (UCXII) these days is 'almost' double the price (IF you can buy it).

[OSWProduction]

Yeah I'm not looking for lowest possible latency, I'm just looking for lowest CPU load at high buffer settings, the differences do even out, but I saw a chart where RME is still outperforming the competition on 512+ samples. Still the MOTU is available more, and way lower price. The internal mixer and monitor software on RME looks reaaaally nice though, might have a look around on the 2nd hand market if I can pick one up there.

[roman.i]

Second hand? Why you would want to do that? It may be great if you find a relatively new device.
FS is a new version, released maybe a year ago.

[Constructed Identity]

Thanks all, I suppose it's time for an update.

I went and bought the SPL Marc One, mainly because it perfectly fits my setup perfectly, but also because of the focus on a good headphone amp. Sadly it's also a XMOS/Thesycon ASIO driver combo, so the performance is really not great, and as such I will be sending it back. I do like the "phonitor matrix" though on the SPL products. Since MOTU does seem to be developing their own drivers, I will be giving the M2 a shot next, as the RME products seem to be out of stock in my country.

It does seem like a hole in the market to me though, an interface that simply focusses on quality outputs (preferably 2 Headphone outputs, LCR output for the main monitors for if you have a sub, and second stereo output for additional reference monitors), minimal inputs (maybe 2 mono 6.3mm jacks without preamps for OOTB processing), and specifically GOOD, IN-HOUSE developed drivers like RME/MOTU, no Thesycon nonsense.

So many of the interface manufacturers are out of consideration for me because they don't develop their own drivers:
SPL, Audient, Focusrite, Black Lion, Fluid Audio and many more all use the same Thesycon driver...

Interesting. I have looked over a lot of interfaces in the last few years with my ancient Echo interface not supported and feel like I have every thing I need for now with a MOTU M4. It has been as reliable as any interface I've ever used- I don't have to worry about the USB-C connection.
A big relief.

[pdxindy]

And RME definitely has these things going for it:
a) rock solid drivers
b) lowest possible latencies with the least amount of CPU usage
c) LONG term support
d) good internal mixer and monitoring software

though i think it is only really leading in b) and c), as other developers can also have rock solid drivers (it is just not always given and one has to inform him/herself if a specific interface is really good on his/her system)

RME support for even old interfaces is stellar. RME was one of the first to have Apple Silicon native drivers and they worked even for the old firewire interfaces.

I had 3 different interfaces before switching to RME and each of them had some odd bug/quirk. For example, one of them might crash if I let the computer go to sleep with the DAW open. Since switching to RME I have never had the slightest issue.

[rod_zero]

RME is worth because the features, drivers, and long time support, my fireface UC us going 12 years strong and working as the first day. I think the day I will retire it it is the day they no longer put USB ports on the motherboards. They do have a minimalistic model, the digiface USB but the outputs are digital and only one headphone out as the analog.

But if you are in windows and want to spend less I have good experience with the steinberg UR line, so far for me they have been the second best after RME when it comes to drivers and for the price of the cheaper models I don't think you can go wrong.

[OSWProduction]

My perfect interface would be the RME ADI Pro FS, but it is a bit out of my budget, so I have been looking for a bunch of alternatives, and checking which driver they have for the ASIO implementation.

So far I have checked:
Behringer Studio XL - Thesycon, last updated 2022, 192kHz
Tascam US-1x2HR - TEAC/Tascam, last updated 2020, 192kHz
ESI GIGAPORT eX - ESI, last updated 2022 192kHz
ESI U22 XT - ESI, last updated 2022, 96kHz
RME Babyface Pro FS - RME, last updated 2022, 192kHz
Presonus IO Station 24c, Presonus (presumably Thesycon too), 2022, 192kHz
Antelope Audio Discrete 4 Synergy Core - Antelope (mandatory registration), 2022 (no win11), 192kHz
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2 - Thesycon, last updated 2021, 192kHz
Fluid Audio SRI-2 - Thesycon, lastupdated 2022, 192kHz
M-Audio AIR 192|4 - inMusic/M-Audio, last updated 2021, 192kHz

Other interfaces manufacturers that use the Thesycon driver include:
SPL, Audient, Black Lion Audio, SSL

Hope to test the performance of the MOTU M2/M4 this week.
Also considering to give one of the ESI/Steinberg/Tascam products a chance.

[dellboy]

But I do everything with my mouse and keyboard, I never record anything, not even MIDI,

Call me uneducated and stupid, and more than likely I am missing something here,but what do you need an audio interface for? Just the headphone amp?