Lightweight Portable Interface (Recommendations)

[Chris Hawkins]

Hi folks,

As much as I would love to have a dedicated desktop machine for all things music (and video) I am currently all MacBook (which is actually not that bad, only major complaint is the limited screen real estate) I am the look out for a decent audio interface that is light weight and has USB-C connections.

I don't need any onboard processing really, nor do I need a ton of I/O - I think 2 in 2 out will suffice. Bus powered if possible (as I am often moving around and might not be near an outlet). I was looking at some of the IK Multimedia stuff, but I have a iRig HD2 and I have found the connections not the greatest quality. The slightest bump and the interface disconnects.

So I am looking to see if you fine folks have any suggestions.

Cheers!

[roman.i]

Checkout the Babyface pro fs.
Or you need something cheaper?
You don't need headphones output amp? Just 2 in 2 out?

[BertKoor]

Is the Focusrite 2i2 on your shortlist?
I have the 4i4, compact, bus powered, just works

[Raketenbauer]

I recommend RME Babyface Pro FS, have it on my MacBook Pro using RMEs modern DriverKit* driver. It is bus powered via USB-C, portable but maybe not lightweight (full aluminium body, 680g).

*RMEs Audio drivers explained:

[kritikon]

Steinberg IX022 is similar price to the Scarlett. They look like newer plastic case, hence lighter versions of their own UR series which are rock solid. They have a solo version also if that's all you need. From what I can gather, the lightweight/portable thing and cheaper price is the main difference from UR, most of the other gubbins inside is the same and their marketing emphasizes portable. The UR series are not that heavy to start with, but are metal case so the IX will definitely be lighter. I'm not on a Mac so dunno if you even need drivers for those? But the Yamaha drivers for PC are absolutely rock solid, I can attest to never having any issues for years now. USB-C powered. Vocals/mics etc are not my thing but the preamps get nothing but glowing write-ups.

I remember when I got my UR22C that there was some important feature missing on the Scarlett (re DAW/input mix or loop back or something?) Which is why I got Steinberg, though Scarletts might have fixed that now? Loopback is easy on the Steinbergs - simply 1 knob to mix DAW/input or have all or nothing.

[Chris Hawkins]

Checkout the Babyface pro fs.
Or you need something cheaper?
You don't need headphones output amp? Just 2 in 2 out?

Headphones on the unit would be good as it would help with low latency when playing guitar.

[Chris Hawkins]

Steinberg IX022 is similar price to the Scarlett. They look like newer plastic case, hence lighter versions of their own UR series which are rock solid. They have a solo version also if that's all you need. From what I can gather, the lightweight/portable thing and cheaper price is the main difference from UR, most of the other gubbins inside is the same and their marketing emphasizes portable. The UR series are not that heavy to start with, but are metal case so the IX will definitely be lighter. I'm not on a Mac so dunno if you even need drivers for those? But the Yamaha drivers for PC are absolutely rock solid, I can attest to never having any issues for years now. USB-C powered. Vocals/mics etc are not my thing but the preamps get nothing but glowing write-ups.

I remember when I got my UR22C that there was some important feature missing on the Scarlett (re DAW/input mix or loop back or something?) Which is why I got Steinberg, though Scarletts might have fixed that now? Loopback is easy on the Steinbergs - simply 1 knob to mix DAW/input or have all or nothing.

I used to have a UR44 and thought it was very good. I played around with a UR22 back in the day when we did the product videos for Steinberg - thought it was a great interface, but I am thinking something a little smaller. I cannot recall, was the UR22 bus powered?

[kritikon]

Yes, new ones are USB-C.

[mixyguy2]

Hi folks,

As much as I would love to have a dedicated desktop machine for all things music (and video) I am currently all MacBook (which is actually not that bad, only major complaint is the limited screen real estate) I am the look out for a decent audio interface that is light weight and has USB-C connections.

I don't need any onboard processing really, nor do I need a ton of I/O - I think 2 in 2 out will suffice. Bus powered if possible (as I am often moving around and might not be near an outlet). I was looking at some of the IK Multimedia stuff, but I have a iRig HD2 and I have found the connections not the greatest quality. The slightest bump and the interface disconnects.

So I am looking to see if you fine folks have any suggestions.

Cheers!

I would ignore the RME recommendations frankly - great interfaces for sure but huge overkill and you'll be spending a lot of money you don't need to. Honestly just about any interface with 2 in/2 out these days is good and will serve you fine...Focusrite, MOTU, Steinberg, Behringer, etc.

May I ask why USC C is a requirement? There are some interfaces out there with that and more to follow for sure, but you can easily find an adapter if you find one you like but it's not USB C.

[Chris Hawkins]

I would ignore the RME recommendations frankly - great interfaces for sure but huge overkill and you'll be spending a lot of money you don't need to. Honestly just about any interface with 2 in/2 out these days is good and will serve you fine...Focusrite, MOTU, Steinberg, Behringer, etc.

May I ask why USC C is a requirement? There are some interfaces out there with that and more to follow for sure, but you can easily find an adapter if you find one you like but it's not USB C.

My MacBook is USB-C only. I do have an adapter, but the less clutter the better - so I was thinking USB-C.

I have had several MOTU interfaces over the years - always a good bit of kit. My last interface was Steinberg's UR44 - but it wasn't USB-C, nor bus powered. It was a great interface. I am also looking at the new USB-C versions of the Steinberg interfaces.

[BertKoor]

Less clutter? Mac? Maybe this is slightly of interest...
My Focusrite interface has USB-C connector, but it came with a cable with standard (USB-B?) connector for the computer side. Works well btw on my MacBookPro with a spare USB-C cable I already had. I can only guess they went for most common.