KVR Audio

Passante · Post by **Passante** » Mon Aug 15, 2016 9:59 am

Hi folks...
looking for an audio interface, but don't know what type do I need exactly.
I am planing to purchase 2 external synthesizers so I was wondering what should I be looking for exactly?
I don't even know what ins/out do I need to connect them. Do I need many midi ins and out or what?

Please help...

RichieWitch · Post by **RichieWitch** » Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:04 pm

Which two synthns are you buying? The connections on those will drive some of the what you need from an interface.

Passante · Post by **Passante** » Mon Aug 15, 2016 10:32 pm

Still not sure, but definitely 2 virtual analog. A virus and another one..

RichieWitch · Post by **RichieWitch** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 12:45 pm

Well then, at a minimum, you're going to want two stereo line inputs and MIDI in/out. I would also throw at least one or two microphone inputs with phantom power, because you never know what sort of "found sounds" you might want to create.

Not sure what your budget is, but take a look at the Stienburg UR44. For about $300, that will give you 6 inputs, including 2 line inputs on the back, and 2 combi inputs (that can be used as line inputs) on the front. It also has MIDI 5-pin DIN in/out, which will be important if you're focusing on synths.

If you're willing to shop eBay, the discontinued Focusrite 18i6 or the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra are really the interfaces you want, with lots of line inputs and fewer combi/pre-amps. For some reason, interfaces with high line input counts and minimal preamp inputs are no longer fashionable among manufacturers. I've owned both of these in my synth-based studio and they work great. The M-Audio has more features (like inserts and more usable outputs) but the Focusrite has better audio quality.

Hope this helps.

tehlord · Post by **tehlord** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 12:54 pm

Passante wrote:Still not sure, but definitely 2 virtual analog. A virus and another one..

If it's a Virus Ti then you don't need an interface as it can do the midi and audio over USB

Once you decide what you want to buy, then you can decide what kind of interface you need.

Most will only have one midi in and out anyway which makes that decision easier.

Of course your budget dictates your choices as well.

Ludes · Post by **Ludes** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 4:36 pm

What computer do you use?
I'm always partial to anything apogee. They have a broad range of interfaces depending on your I/O needs. But they only support Apple.
Love the sound of their converters. Also great clocking in their bigger units. I've had the Rosetta 800 teamed up with a Big Ben in the past. Currently using the first gen version of their flagship symphony I/O, love it!

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 5:27 pm

Best you can buy: RME, the model that suits your needs.

Second best option: Steinberg ur line, spcially on windows they have very good drivers. The Ur44 could fit your needs.

Passante · Post by **Passante** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 6:43 pm

Ok, so I need 2 pairs of stereo "line" inputs. But what is the purpose of the midi ins and outs then? Since you don't need them to connect your synths what do they do exactly?
Regarding my pc, I'm not sure what is your question. Do you mean what OS I run maybe? I'm on Win7 64bit.
Oh and it's great you can connect the TI via usb...

RichieWitch · Post by **RichieWitch** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 7:10 pm

Since one of your synths will be a Virus, you can run MIDI over USB, but that won't be true with a lot of synths. So you're going to need some way to send a master clock out to the synth, record MIDI data from the synth to your DAW, drive the synths from your DAW's sequencer, and MIDI also allows you to record sysex data to store banks of custom patches from your synth.

If you decide to add FX, like filter banks or reverb, it can be handy to have those MIDI connections so that their effects can be tied to the master clock as well.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Tue Aug 16, 2016 7:17 pm

Thunderbolt and PCIe interfaces from Focusrite, Lynx, and Apogee have the lowest latency. Focusrite interfaces come with really good Softube plugins.

lolilol1975 · Post by **lolilol1975** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 1:02 pm

Roland UA-55 Quad and Octo capture probably have the best user feedback of all home audio interfaces, including Steinberg and Focusrite.

Or if you have very limited budget, Behringer UMC404HD has very low latency, below 5 ms for 256 samples, and good sound.

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 1:10 pm

Passante wrote:Ok, so I need 2 pairs of stereo "line" inputs. But what is the purpose of the midi ins and outs then? Since you don't need them to connect your synths what do they do exactly?
Regarding my pc, I'm not sure what is your question. Do you mean what OS I run maybe? I'm on Win7 64bit.
Oh and it's great you can connect the TI via usb...

The purpose of midi is to send control information to and from your DAW and synths. A lot of modern synths do midi over usb, but many do not. They need 5 pin midi in order to connect.

Audio Interface Suggestion