Production Audio Interface

Performance & Techniques Music Production
1

Production Audio Interface

So i’m in the market for a Audio Interface for production.

I currently have an 2011 iMac i7 running through my Audio 8 interface going to my KRK VXT4’s with a NI Kontrol X1 midi mapped to control volumes etc etc.

Iv been looking around and been recommended the RME Babyface or a Presonus interface and some others such as the MOTU. But i don’t think the Babyface would do me much good.

I have a budget of around 500 pounds for an interface and want it to be future proof as i will be adding a few items in the future such as the slim phatty, keyboards and stuff.

Also my other concern is volume control, as i don’t ideally like having to use my X1 as a volume controller and i want to use my VXT4’s for all sound from my iMac, So depending on the interface what other thing would you recommend such as the Big Knob?

Any input would be helpful.

2

i personally like apogee but its mad expensive

but ive heard excelent things from

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Apogee-Duet-2-USB-Interface-Regular-106549876-i1861914.gc

3

souncards:
emu 0404,
1820m
http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/saffire_pro_24/
http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxblackjack/
http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/PCI/Layla3G/index.php
monitor controller:
http://www.smproaudio.com/index.php/en/products/monitor-controllers/mpatch2
http://www.focusrite.com/products/saffire/saffire_6_usb/overview/

4

The only audio interfaces I’d personally consider are, in no particular order:

  • Apogee Duet 2
  • Avid mBox 3
  • Avid mBox 3 Pro
  • Apogee Ensemble
  • Apogee Symphony IO

They all have an output volume control and a lot of stuff to help you out. If you’re just going to be doing “a couple” keyboards and maybe a mic or two, either of the first two will suit you well and sound better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to be doing more recording-intensive things and need more inputs, the second pair jumps out. And if you’re going to a dedicated desktop and want the best of everything, the Symphony IO is like a DIGI 192 that’s even better because it can use the HD cards but doesn’t have to.

And if you’re going to be doing everything in the box anyway, you might just want to get something like the Presonus Central Station or Monitor Station and use your existing interface. But I’m honestly not sure about the sound quality, because I haven’t heard them and their marketing specs are lies just like everyone else’s.

5

As always Mostapha you always come in and give me a better understanding of things.. If only i could rep you here.. Maybe somewhere else :smiley:.

Anyways, thanks for the input. The Audio 8 to be honest doesn’t sound fantastic, it basically is just a DVS interface which you are aware of. Unbalanced outputs means that i get a hum through my VXT’s, so obviously balanced is essential.

I will be planning on getting a keyboard/mic/maybe few synths eventually in the future so thats what i was saying about being future proof.

I will check out what you have given me though, still a bit in the dark about a few things and understandings but trying to read up about everything.

6

IS Avid mBox suitable with reason ?

7

I’ve got a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP and I quite like it, the drivers/mix software that is included is a nice touch and the sound is great. The microphone preamps sound crystal clear going to my audio technica condensor mic… and if you need more than 2 xlr inputs you can plug in an external preamp unit through the ADAT optical input incase you need to record live drum sessions… I use this interface with Reason 5 and Ableton live on my Lenovo notebook running Windows 7 Ultimate, never had any issues.

4 pairs of outputs in the back is nice (6 x trs, 2 x spdif) and 2 headphone monitoring outputs in the front! I’ve even been using it for live DJ gigs with Traktor Pro 2. The only complaint when using this in a DJ environment is that the headphone output is not always loud enough to hear your cued tracks and beatmatch, sometimes I need to plug in a battery powered headphone amp to make it loud enough… theres also dsp powered eq/compression effects built in, if you]re playing on a crappy system these can help

8

Duet 2 or Babyface are both quality options. I would personally shy away from the presonus options, but that is based on personal experience.

9

Can’t go wrong with Focusrite and Apogee. Top-notch HW and solid sw drivers.

10

Yep.

It’s compatible with everything so long as you can install it on your system.

And compared to the mBox and mBox2, the 3rd generation are real interfaces that are designed and built well.

Avid decoupled Pro Tools from the interfaces, which means that the mBoxes went from being “those things you had to have to run Pro Tools LE for cheap” to actually having to compete…and they seem to have done it pretty well.

11

Totally forgot about this thread, after many hours of research i ended up getting a brilliant deal on a RME Babyface and to be honest i do not regret my purchase at all! It is currently being used in my ‘studio’ iMac but i have been traveling with it also.. Fantastic piece of equipment.

12

Audio recoding equipment plays a very vital role in recording audios instantaneously and there are numerous kinds of studio recording equipment available. In the world of audio recording, audio recording interfaces makes recording easy and convenient.

13

thanks for that