I've posted a couple of threads about starting your own home studio and getting to record yourself for just a couple hundred dollars or so. My own DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) interface has been the Focusrite 24 from... maybe 7 years ago or so? Maybe even 10? [Checks Wikipedia...] It's actually a 2005 model! It still works fine but I find myself wanting more inputs, and the Firewire interface is janky if the cord gets moved at all. I suspect (based on a comment from Jayesskerr) that I might be due for an upgrade.



It's been a fine interface for almost a decade but now I want something that is:

1) USB 3. None of that Firewire, or even Thunderbolt, interface for me.
2) 4 Mic inputs would be nice (2 for Stick and 2 for anything else).
3) A really good pre-amp, particularly for vocals.
4) Let's keep it under $500 if we can, although I'll entertain more if it is really "worth" it.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

It seems like we've been down this road before?
I've been using this for quite a while and love it.
http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10251&p=84383&hilit=ur44#p84383

If you want more inputs, check out the bigger brother.
http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/audio_interfaces/ur_series/models/ur824.html

Yep, I know we've kicked this topic around before, but the focus before was more on starting out. I'm ready to upgrade as well (and I really need to get rid of the Firewire interface. I can only use it on my MAC Mini and one PC of several that I own.)

Your links are broken, unfortunately.

I think that USB 2.0 would be fine. I also see that the lower-priced models record at 44kHz or 48kHz, but I'd need at least that 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion as a minimum, which takes us out of the range of the cheaper ones that have more mic inputs, but record only at 44 or 48 kHz.

I also see from your earlier posting that being able to fit into a gig bag for gigs is a consideration. I don't expect to be traveling or playing out with this interface a whole lot, but that is not a bad consideration either.

My existing interface is good for my needs and will record at 24-bit/192kHz, and it's got a good preamp. But I could really use more than just the two mic inputs.

Perhaps I'll just migrate to the more current version of whatever Focusrite offers.

Meanwhile, through email, Scott Kerr (Jayesskerr) recommends I take a look here: http://www.protoolsproduction.com/best- ... pro-tools/

They run through all the major interfaces and give pros and cons for each. And reviews! The Steinbergs and Focusrites are both well represented and well reviewed.

Cheers!

This is my most likely candidate, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 for $499:

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 $499
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet18i20G2

USB 2.0 Audio Interface, 18-in/20-out, 24-bit/192kHz, with 8 Mic/Instrument Preamps, 16 Channels of MIDI, ADAT I/O, Dual Headphone Buses, and Bundled Software - Mac/PC

I have an older model Scarlett 6i6, but I want to upgrade the newest version for the tweaks they did on the inputs for high output pickups. I have a modified guitar with super hot metal-oriented pickups that can be slightly problematic if I'm recording the guitar DI.

I think if you're only recording a couple of signals at once, a USB 2.0 interface has sufficient bandwidth. I never really noticed any latency problems on my PC.

In all likelihood I'm probably going to sell my 6i6 and downgrade to the 2i2 because I don't need the extra line inputs on the back or the midi ports. They talk about lower latency on this new model. I don't even know how it could go much lower, it seemed to be nearly non-existent with the old model!

I have a focusrite 18i8 and love it.

You're looking for fewer inputs and I'm looking for more! The 2i2 is a nice little device for just the two inputs and is very portable. It's a great solution for something quick, portable and still with great quality.

I've been pleased for a decade or so with my Focusrite and now that it's time to upgrade, I'll be sure to look to them first to see what they have.

There are others of course, and now that I've done a little bit more research, I see that the Focusrite line of products has some really good options for whatever price point you're into and however many inputs/outputs you need. Looking hard at my own requirement, I need at least 4 mic inputs, but 8 would be nice to grow into. I can't imagine a world in which I'm recording more than 8 mic inputs at a time. I play all my own instruments and I couldn't possibly work 8 lines to record at once, unless I wanted to separately mic an acoustic drum set that I don't actually have (I have an electronic drum set and drum pads of various kinds). But I could record Stick in stereo and then vocals in stereo and then have 4 more channels for recording something else. Or a jam with a guest musician.

So I think 8 mic inputs would do me and I think the 18i20 is what I'm going to shoot for. I don't need this soon, and I plan to give my existing Focusrite Pro 24 over to my son to use on his MacBook Pro (with the Firewire to Thunderbolt interface). But my daughter has a PC and it won't connect at all to her stuff. (She has a laptop, or otherwise I'd put in a USB/Firewire card into the desktop and keep it moving). I'll need another interface anyway for her to record audio.

Thanks for the input and for letting me bounce some ideas off you and also give me an excuse to do some research into this year's models and the products available. I might step away from Focusrite at some point, but not anytime soon, from what I see of their product line. Thanks!

Ok. I guess I misunderstood your inputs needs from your post!

I would be a little concerned with USB and recording that many signals at once. I would think that a Thunderbolt or PCI-e interface might be more well-suited. Hopefully someone else can chime in and confirm or deny any experiences they've had with recording a large number of signals on a USB interface.

I have an Apogee Quartet, I use from time to time as a portable solution with my laptop for recording drums; 4 at a time, it works great and it's USB.

I have for my PC laptop a Steinberg ur44.
One important thing for me is the stability and I have to say I am very pleased by the drivers.
It is true that this sound card is a little bit costly for a 4x6, but I would redo my choice if I had to.

Envoyé de mon MHA-L29 en utilisant Tapatalk