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Which Audio Interface is best for my needs?


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Hi fellow users,

 

This is my first post and I need some helpful advice.

 

I've been 'sporadically' using Logic since the early 90s but purely as a way of recording my compositions and using midi for playing them back. Even though I upgraded years ago to Logic Pro 7, I have never recorded the audio signal direct in to Logic.

 

I feel that I need to take the next 'big' step up, to record the audio using an 'Audio Interface'. But which one?

 

I started off thinking I needed an old Yamaha 01x, until 'David' was blue in the face telling people off for wanting to mix outside of Logic, and mLan is now defunct anyway, although the control surface could of been useful. So, what are my options... to be honest I'm shooting in the dark! I've read review after review but ended up confused, and to make matters worse I'm house bound, limited by where my wheelchair goes, so stores and exhibitions are a no no. :cry:

 

This is where you guys come in. What I think I want and what I need may be two different things. I know I want to connect my Oasys (maybe by ADAT), a Roland JV1080, an EMU Vintage Keys and an EMU ESI32 sampler, with the option to include my Yamaha WT11 and a mic when necessary. So, in essence the minimum I need is an ADAT input, 8 line level inputs, 1 mic preamp input, and 1 stereo pair out to powered monitors.

 

What I don't want are built-in EQs, effects etc, as I think Logic should do all this, although I realise I may have to upgrade the iMac to cope with that. I just want a straight forward, rock solid audio interface with multiple inputs. 96 kHz sample rate would be adequate for what I do. Firewire or USB? And for David's sake I'll probably dispense with the ProMix 01!

 

Budget is around the £250 - £500 mark, although I'm not opposed to buying off Ebay for a higher spec or discontinued model.

 

Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

 

Thanks.

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http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite-mk3

 

Although no adat, it has plenty I/O for the price. Nice sound and rock solid drivers.

 

Yeh, thanks for that Carlos, it was on my radar, as I have had a MOTU midi interface (serial) and that was rock solid. I dismissed it on the grounds of no ADAT and only 6 line inputs on the rear. I suppose an 828 Mk3 would be better equipped, or even a Mk2, if I could find one on EBay for the right price.

 

Thanks for your thought.

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In your price range, I would suggest the RME Babyface. It's got ADAT, stability, and a nice clean sound. However its got less I/O than some other options like the Motu Track 16.

 

Motu Track 16 would have everything you need. It would have the ADAT along with plenty of other I/Os. I don't have experience with it, but the reviews have been pretty solid so far.

 

Both of those however are more mobile/desktop interfaces. Are you looking for something to stick on a rack or something for your desktop?

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Thanks hlchen. They are both really cute and pack a lot into a small case, but again I dismissed them both as they don't have the required number of inputs I think I require, and they both seem to suffer from the unwieldily 'breakout cable' syndrome.

 

Also, I don't need the mobility factor and I definitely don't have the space on my desktop, my other modules are in a rack so I was hoping to pop it in there. I welcome your thoughts though.

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Hi peachboy, the Fireface 800 would certainly cover all the bases and more... could be a bit of overkill for what I need, although I could easily grow in to it, given the funds. :wink:

 

A quick look on eBay shows that they can go for around the £600 mark, so may be a bit over my budget, but it shows that they hold their value seeing they came out 8 years ago. Once they are discontinued I suppose the prices may fall, but they are a quality piece of kit. I presume a step down would be the MOTU 828s. I'll keep a close eye on eBay anyway, in case a bargin comes up.

 

Thanks, NZ.

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  • 7 months later...

Hi, Just wanted to update my question. I eventually went for the MOTU 828 Mk3 audio interface as I found a bargain on ebay and everything seems to work fine. Thanks to everyone that gave me advice.

 

NZ

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