Upgrading audio interface - which one should I choose?

[blackoutmusicX]

Hello! This is my first post here in the forum. Nice to meet you all!

I'd like to upgrade my audio interface but I have hard time choosing which one I should choose. I currently have NI Komplete Audio 1 but I'd like more outputs and maybe some other interesting options.

I was almost sure that I would get Universal Audio Volt 476 but recently the 4th generation of Focusrite Scarlett interfaces has been released and I am thinking about buying the new 4i4 from this line instead. Many people say that UA interfaces have better pre-amps. I also like the built-in 1176 compressor. The collection of the plugins that comes with Volt is more attractive as well (I already have some plugins from the Focusrite bundle and UA plugins are very intriguing). In new Scarlett interfaces I like the auto gain function and their design. The Air mode is cool as well but from YouTube reviews it seems that the Vintage mode in UA Volt is a bit better, at least to my ears. What is very appealing in new Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 is also mic dynamic range. I use a dynamic microphone, more specifically AKG D7, which is rather quiet mic. I believe that the new Focusrite with higher dynamic range would be better for boosting up my microphone? I think that the compression option in Volt would help with that as well but I'd like to hear your opinion on this. It's also awesome that the new Focusrite can be controlled digitally from the software and has loopback.

The Vintage and Compressor options from Volt and the plugins' collection that comes with this interface keeps me from buying Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th gen. It seems that I like more things in Focusrite interfaces but I'd like to read some other views on this matter. Do you think that either of the interfaces will be noticeable upgrade from Komplete Audio 1? Which one will be a bigger upgrade? Please help me with this dilemma, I don't want to decide myself.

[roman.i]

Both interfaces are hobby level from the same "era", I don't think there a big difference in sound quality.
Loopback feature is easily replicated by a free software.
Dynamic range is roughly the same on both 110-120 db.
UAD plugins alone worth like half of this interface price if we're talking about the same deal:
https://www.uaudio.com/uad-producer-plug-in-promo
Compressor on input may or may not be useful because of the limited amount of controls.
I'm not a fan of these hobby interfaces, they are packed with gimmicks, cool nice and shiny but I doubt these are useful in the long run.
If you are into zero latency tracking with a vocal chain, take a look at the bigger brother of Volt, the Apollo with spark processor.

[blackoutmusicX]

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Both interfaces are hobby level from the same "era", I don't think there a big difference in sound quality.
Loopback feature is easily replicated by a free software.
Dynamic range is roughly the same on both 110-120 db.
UAD plugins alone worth like half of this interface price if we're talking about the same deal:
https://www.uaudio.com/uad-producer-plug-in-promo (https://www.uaudio.com/uad-producer-plug-in-promo)
Compressor on input may or may not be useful because of the limited amount of controls.
I'm not a fan of these hobby interfaces, they are packed with gimmicks, cool nice and shiny but I doubt these are useful in the long run.
If you are into zero latency tracking with a vocal chain, take a look at the bigger brother of Volt, the Apollo with spark processor.

Thank you for answering.

I know that loopback can be replicated by free software on Mac but I think on PC it is a bit more complicated? I saw people begging for implementing loopback into UA VOLTs on UA forums. I've recorded a few beatmaking videos for YouTube and recording audio from the computer while using a DAW was pretty troublesome. I thought that the loopback function would be a great solution for that.

The gain range (69db) of the new Focusrite Scarlett is praised so I thought it could be useful for boosting up AKG D7 which is a rather quiet microphone. I don't know which option is better though - boosting the volume up by the compressor in VOLT or by cranking up the gain in Scarlett.

I cannot afford something more expensive than a VOLT or Focusrite. Either will be a big expense for me anyway. I don't want and cannot spend more money on more sophisticated interfaces. I want more outputs and maybe some other useful or interesting features like the built-in compressor in VOLT or auto gain/digital control/safe mode in the new Focusrite.

For the plugins themselsves you would choose VOLT then, right?

[rod_zero]

You are on windows? neither have good latency performance there, they use USB drivers by a third company named thesycon that makes basically 90% of audio interface USB drivers.

Only RME gets really low latency in windows with USB, Steinberg is the other company that makes their own drivers but doesn't get as low RTL but it is more stable than other options in the low end. Presonus TB interfaces also have good performance.

It is really hard to pick an interface for windows, must around the 200 mark will perform very very similar latency wise, the only big difference are the preamps, at most of them are good enough not to be a factor.

[legendCNCD]

RME.

[1234Hi5!]

Rme

[John Focusrite-Novation]

Focusrite actually develops proprietary drivers, in-house. We've never used Thesycon although it's true that some manufacturers do. Our Windows USB drivers perform very well, which is one of the reasons why there are more people working with Scarlett than any other USB audio interface range in the world.

John // Focusrite UK

[BertKoor]

Thanks for bringing the Focusrite 4i4 to my attention. Just ordered a 3rd gen, it will serve me well. I was without an interface since my old desktop minitower with WinXP doesn't boot any more and my old interface was PCIe. That was a 8-in/8-out interface but 4-in/4-out is workable for me. And as I'm on MacOs I'm not too worried about the Windows drivers. The track record of Focusrite (or whatever party they have it outsourced to) and the Windows drivers up to for sure 2nd gen was not so stellar, to put it mildly. I'm confident that situation has meanwhile improved.

Loopback functionality on Windows is indeed something you want to be handled by the interface. Also 69dB gain should be plenty for most dynamic mics. Shure SM-58 mikes want something like 60dB gain.
Specs I found of these mikes' sensitivity:

Shure SM-58: 1.85 mV/Pa
AKG D7: 2.6 mV/Pa

That differs by a factor 1.4 which is only 3 dB (where the AKG is louder)

I would not want to depend on a compressor on the interface. I personally want all and any effects switched off while tracking, because it's hard to judge the settings are optimal while playing/singing. And when it's recorded then it's printed so you cannot undo and change it afterwards.

[BONES]

Only RME gets really low latency in windows with USB

That's absolute bullshit and completely irrelevant anyway. Any $100 interface will give you perfectly acceptable latency, it's been a non-issue for 20 years or more. There may have been a time when it was easy to justify spending a grand on an RME interface but that hasn't been the case for a very long time now.

It is really hard to pick an interface for windows, must around the 200 mark will perform very very similar latency wise, the only big difference are the preamps, at most of them are good enough not to be a factor.

On this, at least, we can agree. There is no point agonising over it, just get the one you want the most. The differences are extremely minor and nobody will notice. To put it another way - you can't go wrong so don't worry, indulge yourself.

[blackoutmusicX]

Thank you for all the replies. I am still thinking about this so if anyone has some thoughts about the issue then feel free to share it with me. However, I feel I'm a bit closer to buying Scarlett now. The only thing that is missing in it comparing to Volt is the built-in compressor and as @BertKoor said, it's usually not desirable to have the compressor printed in the audio. Focusrite has the loopback function and better gain range so in case I buy SM7B in the future, it will be a better choice as well.

[rod_zero]

If Focusrite develops it's own drivers then I would go with them, that matters most than the any feature.

[rod_zero]

That's absolute bullshit and completely irrelevant anyway. Any $100 interface will give you perfectly acceptable latency, it's been a non-issue for 20 years or more. There may have been a time when it was easy to justify spending a grand on an RME interface but that hasn't been the case for a very long time now.

Nope, there is enough data around to make the assertion that RME has still the lower latency with USB and it's not even close. Other brands achieve usable RTL but crumble under heavy load.

[kritikon]

Depends how many bells and whistles you want. Not that much to choose between Focusrite & Steinberg imo, apart from one is red, the other silver/black. Both have good preamps. Both seem to be built well. Loopback...most of the recent ones should be able to do that. MOTU might have improved by now...used to have driver issues from what I read and they were behind on USB and SR recording, maybe better now? As far as compressor - seems a weird thing to do imo. I know there are things like dB limiters and other comps on-board some of them, usually sw and I just don't understand why anyone would do that. Record it clean, because you can't undo it afterwards, but it's down to choice I guess. There are SSL boxes - seem overpriced to me and not sure they outperform enough to warrant the price. Same with UAD - the attraction is the plugins I guess, but you can buy them natively now, so why pay through the nose when the likelihood is you're not going to use ALL of the bundled sw? Buy a far cheaper interface that will perform as well then buy the UAD plugins you really want - probably cheaper.

Main difference between interfaces is preamp or maybe drivers. Have to agree with Bones...the main ones are good enough that really it's a non-issue. My Steinberg one is rock solid at 7mS latency and I could easily push it lower, but why? Sorry, but you can't hear that, whatever people say. May as well buy mahogany volume knobs to make it sound better. MIDI is likely still at just under 10mS latency and nobody ever complained how slow hw is. It's smoke and mirrors, same as that other silly thread here that argues you need to record at 768kHz sample rate, y'know...just because you can and pros do it.

If you have the money, sure go for RME. Otherwise you WILL get good performance from the midrange ones. Personally I don't give a toss about preamps...I don't record live instruments and not that much voice, but obvs other people do. So, focus on preamp character. Even Behringer apparently have decent preamps nowadays. I have a shitload of Behringer hw, mostly great reliabilty/build quality, but I think I'd be wary of their interfaces...used to be driver issues.

[kritikon]

EDIT I'll add that those Focusrites LOOK, sexier. Something about red, or having the letter X in the name. If they were called Focusrite Xxtra Scarlet, they'd be a slam dunk. Red always trumps silver/black IMO. But they perform and sound much the same. Strange that you don't see many blue ones...

[BONES]

Nope, there is enough data around to make the assertion that RME has still the lower latency with USB and it's not even close. Other brands achieve usable RTL but crumble under heavy load.

Unsurprisingly, you're missing the point - lowest doesn't matter, low enough is good enough and that's pretty much any interface you care to choose. You're paying a 500% premium for something that's largely irrelevant.