Please help me chose a new audio interface.
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Tech Mentor
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Newport, Wales
    Posts
    108

    Default Please help me chose a new audio interface.

    Hi

    I need help deciding on an audio interface. I have £200 to spend.

    Im looking at the:
    Saffire Pro 24 firewire.
    Traktor A6 (not really wanting to pay extra for timecode vinyl/cds that ill never use)
    Komplete Audio 6

    Im also open to suggestions (as long as I can buy it in the UK)

    I require 2 Decks + 1 remix deck to be connected to my mixer. So 3 stereo pairs.
    At least one input so I can use Traktors Mix/Loop Recorder functions.
    I would also like to be able to record from Mics/Guitars into Ableton.
    Firewire would be nice as it would free up a usb port.

    Im leaning towards the Saffire but im confused about the connections. It has 6 outputs that can aparently accept balanced or unbalanced cables. I think would allow me to connect to either a dj mixer or active monitors just by using the relevant cable.

    Please help. I need to spend this money before my wife finds out I have it and makes me spend it scatter pillows or some shite.

  2. #2
    Tech Mentor
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    south of england
    Posts
    282

    Default

    if you need mic and guitar inputs then you cant go wrong wrong with the saffire or the komplete audio but id go with the saffire as to my knowledge the preamps are much better, i personally have 2 interfaces 1 for djaying and 1 for recording which is my profire which i love

    PS the down side of the saffire is that the inputs are purely trs or xlr not rca so the deck input might be low (i found this using a deck into my profire inputs)

  3. #3
    Tech Mentor
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Newport, Wales
    Posts
    108

    Default

    Thanks I'm pretty much decided on the saffire now. Found this on a spec sheet.
    Analogue Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-4)
    • 2 x XLR Mic/Line Neutrik Combi-Jacks (Inputs 1-2)
    • 2 x XLR Instrument Neutrik Combi-Jacks (Instrument on inputs 1 and 2 only)

    Automatic switch of Mic / Line (inserting a jack switches from Mic to either Line or Instrument (instrument selected via the software control panel)

    Line inputs 3-4 have low and high gain settings can be controlled from the Saffire MixControl software (low gain being the default)
    Im hopeing that the option to set inputs 3-4 to low or high will avoid the low recording volume issue. Can anyone confirm?

  4. #4
    Tech Mentor
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    south of england
    Posts
    282

    Default

    if using decks an instrument level preamp will not give great phono result im finding this with my profire using the high gain inputs and still getting very low input signal

  5. #5
    Tech Mentor
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    south of england
    Posts
    282

    Default

    simple solution tho for your decks use one of these between deck and saffire

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/SOUNDLAB-PRE...1512660&sr=8-1

    to boost the signal to a line/instrument level

  6. #6
    Tech Guru
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Cincinnati, USA
    Posts
    779

    Default

    The pre's in the saffire line are amazing FWIW.

  7. #7
    Tech Mentor ToS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    EXIT fest.town, Serbia
    Posts
    357

    Default

    don't buy firewire, it is a dying interface standard
    saffire soundcards do have excellent preamps and incredible amount of gain (compared to other USB bus powered soundcards)
    komplete 6 does not have 6 analogue outputs (5/6 are SPDIF)
    XLR/TRS connection has no effect on signal gain, input resistance and preamp gain, however, do
    NI A6DJ does not have Mic/Inst preamps (minor downside IMHO)
    why dont you go with a second-hand A8DJ, it has loads of IO and one Mic preamp
    Many photons have died to bring you this information.

  8. #8
    DJTT Moderator Dude Jester's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Noiseeland
    Posts
    12,426

    Default

    Audio 6. Dont leave home without it.
    Acer E5 i7 16GB 512SSD 2TBHD ~ WIN 10 ~ TSP 2.11 ~ AUDIO 6 ~ DUAL X1s ~ DN-X1600 ~ SPECTRA ~ TWISTER ~ ATH-PRO500 MK2 ~ ZED6FX ~ AT2020

    " I’m the Dude, so that’s what you call me. That or, uh His Dudeness, or uh Duder, or El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing. "

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •