If for my use, high end interfaces are an overkill .. Can someone recommend me a mid range audio interface with decent mix preamp and DAC for playback?
Update: my Scarlett 2i4 is already sold now for $85. It was 1st gen and thought It was a good deal.
Audio interface buying guide for me
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 833 posts since 18 Jun, 2013
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- KVRAF
- 8749 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
Between the $200-300 what immediately springs to mind are: Newer Scarletts, SSL2, Audient, MOTU, Steinberg. There are more than that though and all of the above have a varied range & choice of in/outs. I vaguely remember MOTU saying USBC but are actually USB 2.0, though they may have updated that recently. Stuff like that is worth checking out, as there are definite differences in USB 2 vs 3. Some will be 24bit or 32bit - makes sense to me to go for 32 bit if you can. Most go up to 96kHz recording but one or two will go up to 192kHz - seems like mad overkill to me and I personally would never use that, but I suppose it's future-proofing to some degree. I know if I worked at 192kHz on my laptop it would soon grind to a halt. Specs on paper are not everything. You can't hear shit above 20kHz so I see no point in 192.
Most of those listed will have freebie s/w given away with them - sometimes useful, sometimes not. TBH I completely ignore anything with interfaces that puts s/w on the actual recording - it may sound good, but why on earth would you want to put irreversible processing on your audio recording? If you want to process your audio you'll have greater choice after the fact in your DAW/plugins. Some of the above do weird things like input Eq - again seems daft to me, but everyone has their own preferences. UAD make interfaces also - apparently with a processor and give away some plugins, which might be useful - I never used UAD but their sw is supposed to be pretty good. But I know nothing about their interfaces TBH.
I use Steinberg UR22. Absolutely happy with it, as are others. I've been mulling over upgrading to more outputs and I'd definitely go for Steinberg again. But there's very little in it between Steinberg and the others really. Mostly it's a case of do you want a black one or a silver one and how many pretty flashing lights. If you record vocals then it def is worth checking out the preamps, that is possibly where the real differences lie, but all of the ones listed have some kind of reputation for good preamps.
Most of those listed will have freebie s/w given away with them - sometimes useful, sometimes not. TBH I completely ignore anything with interfaces that puts s/w on the actual recording - it may sound good, but why on earth would you want to put irreversible processing on your audio recording? If you want to process your audio you'll have greater choice after the fact in your DAW/plugins. Some of the above do weird things like input Eq - again seems daft to me, but everyone has their own preferences. UAD make interfaces also - apparently with a processor and give away some plugins, which might be useful - I never used UAD but their sw is supposed to be pretty good. But I know nothing about their interfaces TBH.
I use Steinberg UR22. Absolutely happy with it, as are others. I've been mulling over upgrading to more outputs and I'd definitely go for Steinberg again. But there's very little in it between Steinberg and the others really. Mostly it's a case of do you want a black one or a silver one and how many pretty flashing lights. If you record vocals then it def is worth checking out the preamps, that is possibly where the real differences lie, but all of the ones listed have some kind of reputation for good preamps.
Last edited by kritikon on Sat Nov 12, 2022 10:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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- KVRAF
- 8749 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
Actually - Behringer probably shouldn't be ignored. You'll see mutterings about Behringer hw poor quality all over forums but I've owned and still buy Behringer hw. Their synths are sometimes built like tanks - complete opposite to the usual shite on forums (there is a LOT of know-nothing snobbery on music forums). I've still got 30yr old outboard from Behringer that is equally sturdy and outlasted far more expensive gear. TBH I don't know the quality of their interfaces - I do remember some complaints about their drivers when they were first released. Dunno if that's been fixed or not. Might be stable now, check it out yourself. Drivers are the main area where cheapo models lose out, and I vaguely remember Behringer didn't write their own drivers...?
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 833 posts since 18 Jun, 2013
I'm hearing a lot of very good reviews about Audient id4 mkii. Probably including towards it. Would like to get others feedback as well.
Are those preamps that good? I heard its their audient preamp from the renowned recording console the ASP8024-HE.
How good are audient drivers? Also are their DACs very good for output?
Are those preamps that good? I heard its their audient preamp from the renowned recording console the ASP8024-HE.
How good are audient drivers? Also are their DACs very good for output?
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- KVRAF
- 8238 posts since 22 Sep, 2008 from Windsor. UK