Audio Interfaces

[scottcald]

I'm at a point I have to get a new interface.  I've still got a MOTU 896HD that the good folks at MOTU have been good to keep drivers up to date for since I got it in 2003.  It's Firewire.  I have it connected to a Thunderbolt monitor and a 2013 Mac Pro.  

With Apple Silicon coming on fast, I asked MOTU if they would be updating drivers for it, and they said no.  I just ordered one of those Arturia AudioFuse interfaces to check it out, but might also look for something closer to the MOTU.  

Looking at the Presonus 2626 for the Thunderbolt value or maybe the Antelope Zen Tour Synergy Core since it has built in DSP.  

What are others using currently and what do you like/dislike about it?  Does it have low latency when you're tracking/overdubbing?

Thanks!

 

[LordsoftheJungle]

The UAD Apollo has some excellent hardware and you get a free DAW (LUNA) which works hand in glove with the Apollo. This DAW is impressive, low latency even with time based effects applied. The interface with midi/instrument tracks is infinitely easier than Pro-Tools as well, I've been moving all files over to LUNA and we'll start tracking with it next week.

[polara]

I've been using an Audient iD44. The dedicated guitar inputs are handy, the mic preamps are good, it's in s a sturdy case, and it is trouble free, connecting via USB-C. No complaints here! They make bigger and smaller ones, but the four channels on this is plenty for me.

https://audient.com/products/audio-interfaces/id44/overview/

[sonic1974]

53 minutes ago, scottcald said:

I'm at a point I have to get a new interface.  I've still got a MOTU 896HD that the good folks at MOTU have been good to keep drivers up to date for since I got it in 2003.  It's Firewire.  I have it connected to a Thunderbolt monitor and a 2013 Mac Pro.  

With Apple Silicon coming on fast, I asked MOTU if they would be updating drivers for it, and they said no.  I just ordered one of those Arturia AudioFuse interfaces to check it out, but might also look for something closer to the MOTU.  

Looking at the Presonus 2626 for the Thunderbolt value or maybe the Antelope Zen Tour Synergy Core since it has built in DSP.  

What are others using currently and what do you like/dislike about it?  Does it have low latency when you're tracking/overdubbing?

Thanks!

 

How many inputs do you need? 

I'm using the Motu M4, 2 mic inputs, can take external gear like preamps.

I like it a lot, rock solid with no crashes. Lots of dynamic range and clear sound. 

I'm a fan.

[scottcald]

2 hours ago, LordsoftheJungle said:

The UAD Apollo has some excellent hardware and you get a free DAW (LUNA) which works hand in glove with the Apollo. This DAW is impressive, low latency even with time based effects applied. The interface with midi/instrument tracks is infinitely easier than Pro-Tools as well, I've been moving all files over to LUNA and we'll start tracking with it next week.

I've seen LUNA, but haven't had a chance to use it.  Stopped using ProTools after I got Logic years ago (because back then Logic was $1k).  Thanks for the info about latency.  

2 hours ago, polara said:

I've been using an Audient iD44. The dedicated guitar inputs are handy, the mic preamps are good, it's in s a sturdy case, and it is trouble free, connecting via USB-C. No complaints here! They make bigger and smaller ones, but the four channels on this is plenty for me.

https://audient.com/products/audio-interfaces/id44/overview/

Thought those looked good too.  If this is what you used for your own recordings, it sounds great!

2 hours ago, sonic1974 said:

How many inputs do you need? 

I'm using the Motu M4, 2 mic inputs, can take external gear like preamps.

I like it a lot, rock solid with no crashes. Lots of dynamic range and clear sound. 

I'm a fan.

I really liked the MOTU I've been using, it's solid.  Right now, I don't need but a couple of inputs, but I was looking at options.  I like leaving as much plugged In as I can  if I can help it.   Part of this is whittling down stuff, too.  Thanks for the info.  

One of the things I liked about the Arturia was the fact it has a 3 port USB hub built into it, so a MIDI controller,  iLok or other things could be plugged into that.  I think that'll get here tomorrow or Saturday.  It also packs a bunch of I/O.  If it works out, I may keep the MOTU and ADAT from that if I need more inputs.  

 

[mathman]

I have a Focusrite Scarlet 6i6 that is great but I have to say for guitar recording the Axe-IO from Ik-multimedia is the bomb.

https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/axeio/

But it only has two inputs so that is limiting.

[sixesandsevens]

6 hours ago, scottcald said:

Looking at the Presonus 2626 for the Thunderbolt value or maybe the Antelope Zen Tour Synergy Core since it has built in DSP.  

I don't have a hands-on answer to give you, but the 2626 is squarely on my radar too.  $599ish for a near-real-time Thunderbolt 3 interface?  Wowza!

My current interface is a KMI K-Mix.  I like it because it's a slick little hardware mixer/control-surface that happens to work as an interface (and I do most of my playing "out of the box").  But I'm running out of I/O in meatspace with the K-Mix and the 2626 is looking real tempting...  On top of that, the latency is definitely last-gen when you're going round-trip through the box.  Great hardware though.   

[Jakeboy]

For the last 5 years I’ve used a Roland Octa-Capture. Easy to use, intuitive, and it sounds great. 

[scottcald]

45 minutes ago, sixesandsevens said:

KMI K-Mix

Wasn't familiar with this one, neat though.  

 

39 minutes ago, Jakeboy said:

For the last 5 years I’ve used a Roland Octa-Capture. Easy to use, intuitive, and it sounds great. 

My only hesitation with that and the Studio Capture are because of how long they've been on the market.  Your stuff sounds great and Roland makes great stuff though.  Do you use the built in compression and are there any other effects built in?  

[Jakeboy]

There is built in compression and reverb for monitoring but I do not use those features. 
I’d buy it again today. It works for me.

[scottcald]

2 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

There is built in compression and reverb for monitoring but I do not use those features. 
I’d buy it again today. It works for me.

Thanks, good to know.  I just looked at Roland's site and it says Apple Silicon isn't supported, so I wrote them to ask if it will be or are they going to update the unit?  Seems their other units have been updated steadily and these are the only ones that haven't been yet.  

[Lockbody]

I replaced my FireWire Presonus 2442 with a Quantum 2626 and I couldn’t be happier. Latency with my 2019 i7 MacBook Pro is practically non-existent. I’m using Gig Performer for my VST guitar amps (all Plugin Alliance) and it feels like I’m playing through a real amp with the block size set all the way down to 32. 16 samples is just a bit “glitchy” and really offers no difference in feel over 32. 
 

The biggest thing I noticed was when opening some old StudioOne projects created on my 2012 MB Pro and 2442. Previously, I’d have to increase block size to 1024 to get them to play due to the number of tracks with effects, but with the 2019MBP/2626 combo they all run fine with leaving the block size at 32. 
 

Highly recommended. 
 

[soli'd]

Another vote for the MOTU M4.  I love that thing, haven't hit any limitations yet.  The loopback feature is really convenient- allows using your PC output as a live input to the DAW, along with your physical I/O to the interface.  Great for recording play-alongs to youtube, or any 2-ch. content you can play back on the PC.

[ZR]

I use and like the MOTU M4 as well. 

[fractal]

I use Metric Halo interfaces (primarily) here at home.  They are slightly pricey, but they have the absolute best long-term support.  Their stuff is not just software supported forever, but hardware upgradeable way beyond ANY other manufacturer.  My ULN-2 has been upgraded twice since I got it in 2003, and it now has USB-C, works with the latest computer OS's, and still sounds awesome!

https://mhsecure.com/metric_halo/

I'll do a +1 on the MOTU stuff.

 

[Jakeboy]

On 4/23/2021 at 12:54 AM, scottcald said:

Thanks, good to know.  I just looked at Roland's site and it says Apple Silicon isn't supported, so I wrote them to ask if it will be or are they going to update the unit?  Seems their other units have been updated steadily and these are the only ones that haven't been yet.  

Well yikes. I am planning on moving to an Apple for recording either this year or next. 

[Lockbody]

8 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

Well yikes. I am planning on moving to an Apple for recording either this year or next. 

I had to sell an amp to do it, but I upgraded my mid-2012 MacBook Pro in 2019 for Studio One and Gig Performer, and wish I had gone back to wintel, instead. A similarly-spec’d laptop with thunderbolt 3, while still expensive, wouldn’t have been quite so super-expensive, and, as an operating system, I think Windows 10 has finally arrived. I’ll tell you, my almost brand new Mac looks and feels dated compared to my corporate laptop, which, admittedly since I’m a network admin, is pretty decent.

IMO, it’s never been a better time to be on Windows. I do security, group policy, and device management, among other things, and win10 has a lot of great things going on under the hood once you upgrade the home version to Professional , is fast, and the latest 20H2 version simply looks fantastic. 

I’d be hard-pressed to come up with any music production app that won’t run as good on a similarly-spec’d PC vs Mac. I’m sure they’re plenty, though. 

[mathman]

10 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

Well yikes. I am planning on moving to an Apple for recording either this year or next. 

It will happen sooner or later.  The new M1's seem amazingly fast.  I bought us new macbooks/macpros last summer because our school system was moving to PC's and our hackbooks that I made were on their last legs.  Odds are good most of what you want will be supported.  I have heard good reports of the new "rosetta" which allows previous intel based software to run on the M1's. 

[scottcald]

Saw this guy’s video about M1 performance and it’s pretty crazy for a $700 computer:

 

[scottcald]

26 minutes ago, Lockbody said:

I had to sell an amp to do it, but I upgraded my mid-2012 MacBook Pro in 2019 for Studio One and Gig Performer, and wish I had gone back to wintel, instead. A similarly-spec’d laptop with thunderbolt 3, while still expensive, wouldn’t have been quite so super-expensive, and, as an operating system, I think Windows 10 has finally arrived. I’ll tell you, my almost brand new Mac looks and feels dated compared to my corporate laptop, which, admittedly since I’m a network admin, is pretty decent.

IMO, it’s never been a better time to be on Windows. I do security, group policy, and device management, among other things, and win10 has a lot of great things going on under the hood once you upgrade the home version to Professional , is fast, and the latest 20H2 version simply looks fantastic. 

I’d be hard-pressed to come up with any music production app that won’t run as good on a similarly-spec’d PC vs Mac. I’m sure they’re plenty, though. 

I don’t mess with Windows a ton but 10 is certainly better than what I’ve messed with before. 8 with that half 10/half 7 thing was off putting.  
I do Apple support stuff. Had a call from a local school district about 6 years ago. Went there a few times but the main admin guy there just kept getting mad that he couldn’t manage Macs with the exact same tools he was managing his Win stuff with. Dell sold him a KACE system as though it could. I had to get on a call with him and some Dell people and prod them until they admitted it wasn’t that way. The guy was not happy and I never heard from them again.  

[scottcald]

10 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

Well yikes. I am planning on moving to an Apple for recording either this year or next. 

Roland did send me to a compatibility page later that seems like they’re actually testing lots of things - all they currently for sale products, so who knows. I like all they offer within their interfaces.  I would love to see them updated with USB C though. 

[Jakeboy]

49 minutes ago, scottcald said:

Roland did send me to a compatibility page later that seems like they’re actually testing lots of things - all they currently for sale products, so who knows. I like all they offer within their interfaces.  I would love to see them updated with USB C though. 

Me too.

[Lockbody]

10 hours ago, scottcald said:

I don’t mess with Windows a ton but 10 is certainly better than what I’ve messed with before. 8 with that half 10/half 7 thing was off putting.  
I do Apple support stuff. Had a call from a local school district about 6 years ago. Went there a few times but the main admin guy there just kept getting mad that he couldn’t manage Macs with the exact same tools he was managing his Win stuff with. Dell sold him a KACE system as though it could. I had to get on a call with him and some Dell people and prod them until they admitted it wasn’t that way. The guy was not happy and I never heard from them again.  

We’re 90% Windows at work, and I wish I could get rid of that last 10%, as most of them aren’t Apple people and just demand Macs because they’re “cool”. Most don’t even have an AppleID setup on them, so they’re not getting updates, etc. At home, though, I’m all Apple. Two MacBook Pros, an Air, a Mini, an AppleTV, two Airport Extremes, two Airport Expresses, an iPad and three iPhones. Been in the club for twenty years, but the prices and Apple’s laser focus on content and phones will probably make this my last when everything needs replacing.

Even my 16yo art student going to an art school says she’s over Mac and greatly prefers the Lenovo Yoga I got her. Says Mac is too restrictive, not customizable enough, and impedes her workflow vs PC (man, how times have changed).

KACE? Our Dell rep sold us that crap the year before they abandoned it. 
 

But back to the OP, get the Quantum 2626 and don’t look back. For $600 nothing else comes close for what you get. Buy it from Sweetwater and they’ll throw in a TB3 cable with it. 

[scottcald]

5 hours ago, Lockbody said:

We’re 90% Windows at work, and I wish I could get rid of that last 10%, as most of them aren’t Apple people and just demand Macs because they’re “cool”. Most don’t even have an AppleID setup on them, so they’re not getting updates, etc. At home, though, I’m all Apple. Two MacBook Pros, an Air, a Mini, an AppleTV, two Airport Extremes, two Airport Expresses, an iPad and three iPhones. Been in the club for twenty years, but the prices and Apple’s laser focus on content and phones will probably make this my last when everything needs replacing.

Even my 16yo art student going to an art school says she’s over Mac and greatly prefers the Lenovo Yoga I got her. Says Mac is too restrictive, not customizable enough, and impedes her workflow vs PC (man, how times have changed).

KACE? Our Dell rep sold us that crap the year before they abandoned it. 
 

But back to the OP, get the Quantum 2626 and don’t look back. For $600 nothing else comes close for what you get. Buy it from Sweetwater and they’ll throw in a TB3 cable with it. 

Good to know, thanks.  Curious, though, Photoshop is photoshop, what's "less restrictive" mean?  What's she customizing?

[Lockbody]

31 minutes ago, scottcald said:

Good to know, thanks.  Curious, though, Photoshop is photoshop, what's "less restrictive" mean?  What's she customizing?

Oh,  I think for her it’s how deep you can customize the interface and being able to use the touchscreen along with her Wacom, which is something Apple won’t ever let you do, apparently. 
 

I think for music production, other than Logic and probably MOTU, whether you use Win or Mac comes down to which one you prefer and not which one is best for the app.