KVR Audio

Gomox · Post by **Gomox** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 5:59 pm

Hello everyone! I am looking for a new audio interface. Up until now I've been using a Scarlett 18i8 by Focusrite. The drivers have always given me problems and the support couldn't help me getting them working on my new Windows 10 computer. I’m hoping for some good suggestions

Here is what I’m looking for:

- budget is around 300 € ($320)
- minimum 2, better 4 XLR inputs with phantom power
- minimum 4, better 8 ¼ inch inputs
- 2 seperate headphone outputs
- outputs for my Yamaha HS8 studio monitors
- stable drivers (!) because I’m sick of all I went through with the Focusrite drivers

I am using Cubase 8 as my DAW (does anybody have any experience with the Steinberg audio interfaces?). My motherboard does only offer USB 3.0 ports, so the interface must work flawlessly with 3.0 (my current interface hates 3.0 and wants 2.0 ports).
Thank you in advance! Here are my computer specs.

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
CPU: Intel Core i7 6700K
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 16GB DDR4-3000
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme4

sprnva · Post by **sprnva** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 6:15 pm

Maybe someone can chime in on the Zoom UAC interfaces. They're USB3 so you'd be running them natively.

I think I heard some compliants about Steinberg drivers, but otherwise they do seem to be good interfaces. I've heard great things about the Presonus interfaces, but IIRC they had driver issues at launch that took a while to get rectified.

I have a Scarlett 6i6 here but on Mac we don't need drivers. After the issues I had with my Audio Kontrol 1 I swore I'd only buy class-compliant from now on.

do_androids_dream · Post by **do_androids_dream** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 6:21 pm

https://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_umc1820.htm

My Behringer umc204hd has been rock solid on windows 10 64 bit

Very well built and feels a lot higher priced. Can't praise mine enough for the price.

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 7:57 pm

Steinberg ur44

aallvor · Post by **aallvor** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 8:01 pm

+1 for Steinberg drivers

Schmidi · Post by **Schmidi** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 8:02 pm

I'm really liking my NI Komplete Audio 6. Incredible driver performance so far on W10 64bit, which is my biggest criteria. Stable @ 64 samples buffer on all of my computers.

Gomox · Post by **Gomox** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 8:21 pm

The Steinberg UR44 is a USB 2.0 interface though, which makes me scared of driver / usb port problems once again..

sprnva · Post by **sprnva** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 8:26 pm

There aren't many USB3 interfaces yet. Another option is to buy a USB2 pci-e card.

If you still have the 18i8 you could see if that fixes the issues you've been having.

Gomox · Post by **Gomox** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 9:52 pm

sprnva wrote:There aren't many USB3 interfaces yet. Another option is to buy a USB2 pci-e card.

If you still have the 18i8 you could see if that fixes the issues you've been having.

So I could use a pci-e card with my 18i8?

sprnva · Post by **sprnva** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 10:48 pm

Yep, it should work. Maybe check in with Focusrite about recommended chipsets.

I remember NEC being preferable at one stage over VIA chips. Not sure if that's still relevant these days.

Another option is to get a USB2 PCI bracket like this and connect it to one of the USB2 headers on your motherboard. Then you'll be using the onboard USB chipset. Whether this is going to be good, I don't know. The card might be a better option.

Schmidi · Post by **Schmidi** » Tue Feb 07, 2017 4:37 pm

Support may have told you these tips, but I'll post it for posterity. These REALLY improved the stability and performance on all of my W10 PCs.

https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/ ... Windows-10

Gomox · Post by **Gomox** » Tue Feb 07, 2017 7:13 pm

Schmidi wrote:Support may have told you these tips, but I'll post it for posterity. These REALLY improved the stability and performance on all of my W10 PCs.

https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/ ... Windows-10

Support already sent me this and I've worked through it =/ Thanks though

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Tue Feb 07, 2017 10:55 pm

Are you sure your motherboard doesn't have extra USB2 pins to connect an USB front port (those with card and usd ports)? it is very rare they don't even have the PINS on the MOBO.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Tue Feb 07, 2017 11:00 pm

Gomox wrote:The Steinberg UR44 is a USB 2.0 interface though, which makes me scared of driver / usb port problems once again..

Just wondering, but, are there known, general issues with USB 2.0 interfaces? I actually have some dropout problems with my Steinberg UR12, and have to deactivate my wi-fi adapter to fix those. Recommended fixes range from uninstalling Google CHrome (ugh), over BIOS settings, to using a powered USB hub. It's said to be a driver issue, but, obviously, e.g. the Focusrite Scarlett series seems to have similar problems. Wondering if it's something general about devices powered via USB, because i do know that the power supply via USB is a bit problematic, and there are USB devices which are very sensitive to voltage fluctuations, for example.

Gomox · Post by **Gomox** » Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:12 am

rod_zero wrote:Are you sure your motherboard doesn't have extra USB2 pins to connect an USB front port (those with card and usd ports)? it is very rare they don't even have the PINS on the MOBO.

It has an USB 2.0 header

Looking for new audio interface (~ 300€)