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Post by gwlee7 on Jun 24, 2022 7:15:07 GMT -6
The bass player/lead singer in my ongoing collaborative recording project needs to upgrade to a better two channel interface than the “el cheapo” he using now.
Can you guys recommend good, better, and best options that include preamps and useable phantom power?
He will be cutting bass, vocals, maybe some acoustic guitar, and then keyboards.
Thanks in advance.
ETA: We ain’t afraid of used either.
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Post by stratboy on Jun 24, 2022 7:37:50 GMT -6
Behringer or Steinberg
MOTU
Apogee or RME
IMO…
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Post by kcatthedog on Jun 24, 2022 8:05:02 GMT -6
You don’t say whether best is sonics , features or some combo nor budget ?
For best sonics, I’d suggest lynx, apogee 2x6se, .
For features, if they want tracking with plugs UA twin and or perhaps apogee desktop.
Lots of options.
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Post by gwlee7 on Jun 24, 2022 8:06:03 GMT -6
Sonics, preamps, phantom power stability. Tracking is the primary focus.
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Post by gwlee7 on Jun 24, 2022 8:08:06 GMT -6
Behringer or Steinberg MOTU Apogee or RME IMO… I was looking at that Steindburg with the RND preamps as an option |
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Post by kcatthedog on Jun 24, 2022 8:08:27 GMT -6
K, the apogee desktop, would be a good contender then.
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Post by svart on Jun 24, 2022 8:19:07 GMT -6
MOTU M4 for cheap. MOTU 828ES for mid/high $.
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Post by notneeson on Jun 24, 2022 8:19:18 GMT -6
Man, the software integration, e.g. how it handles low latency monitoring is basically the most important thing these days. I’d start there.
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Post by nudwig on Jun 24, 2022 8:28:48 GMT -6
Prism Lyra is very solid.
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Post by kyamcalvert on Jun 24, 2022 9:24:45 GMT -6
RME Babyface.
I have tried at least a dozen desktop interfaces. Plenty of usable options out there. The others recommended in this thread are very good.
Here's why I like the RME:
- It works. Every time. Zero thinking involved.
- Ridiculously simple to operate.
- You can mount it to a mic stand with a euro adapter.
- It's a tough unit that the company actually stands behind.
Sounds good, well built, works every time.
Second choice would be Sound Devices. If he were a working professional doing 2 track location recording, that'd bump the RME (though I've also done just that with mine, no problem).
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Post by chessparov on Jun 24, 2022 9:51:50 GMT -6
Sorry to "be that guy" but...
How good does your friend's recording area sound?
Can it use any improvement?
Chris
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2022 11:06:22 GMT -6
Used SPL Crimson. Dirt cheap. Sounds good.
Apogee Duet 3. $650. Sounds good and can’t clip it. No midi, no expansion, and soft limit to not clip. The RTL is not low enough on windows to play amp sims or VSTis at 44.1khz. You’ll have to monitor off the onboard dsp.
RME Babyface Pro FS. $1000. Low latency. Okay pres. I hate how it sounds. Low latency though and it is literally a solid brick of aluminum with midi and adat expansion options. If your windows computer is not up to snuff or is an off the shelf laptop from most brands, it still won’t be usable at lower latencies without heavy tweaking beyond all the interface setup guides. You won’t be able to use amp sims and VSTis then and will have to monitor off of TotalMix.
UAD Apollo Twin X. $1200. Thunderbolt. Okay sound. Onboard dsp. Iffy windows support.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Jun 24, 2022 11:32:51 GMT -6
MOTU M4 for cheap. MOTU 828ES for mid/high $. Second this. |
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Post by gwlee7 on Jun 24, 2022 12:14:14 GMT -6
MOTU M4 for cheap. MOTU 828ES for mid/high $. I have the 828es myself. Would be over kill for him. He only needs two inputs and ability to monitor. M4 may be the ticket. |
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Post by gwlee7 on Jun 24, 2022 12:16:08 GMT -6
Sorry to "be that guy" but... How good does your friend's recording area sound? Can it use any improvement? Chris LOL. you are always that guy  His space works well for what he needs to do. He can track fine in his room and isn't worried about mixing at all other than simple demos that get his point across. |
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Post by chessparov on Jun 24, 2022 12:55:44 GMT -6
Awesome! My home recording goals (virtually always), are that modest. In Budgetland, I like the 3rd Gen Scarlett's/Tascam HR series/SSL stuff too. The Tascam's have the Loopback feature. Some of the Scarlett's have it. Chris |
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Post by skav on Jun 24, 2022 12:59:04 GMT -6
RME Babyface or maybe the new Neve 88M?
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Post by kyamcalvert on Jun 24, 2022 13:57:13 GMT -6
If your windows computer is not up to snuff or is an off the shelf laptop from most brands, it still won’t be usable at lower latencies without heavy tweaking beyond all the interface setup guides. You won’t be able to use amp sims and VSTis then and will have to monitor off of TotalMix. Why? I've used it with absolutely zero thought involved on my 12 yr old Dell laptop. Windows 7. Latency was nil. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2022 17:29:55 GMT -6
Used - Apogee Element 24 or 46. Bargain price, good sound.
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Post by bossanova on Jun 24, 2022 19:05:22 GMT -6
If he’s really saving coin and just wants the sound quality, the SSL-2 sounds really good for the money. Includes a mix knob for direct monitoring combined to taste with DAW output.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jun 25, 2022 10:15:22 GMT -6
I’ll take a completely different tact, is there an interface you would consider that you can be the person who is their primary support?
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Post by notneeson on Jun 25, 2022 10:52:44 GMT -6
I’ll take a completely different tact, is there an interface you would consider that you can be the person who is their primary support? Good point! It's sooooooooo much easier for me to help homies who are on Pro Tools. Luckily that's most of them. An interface I'm also familiar with is gravy. |
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Post by spindrift on Jun 25, 2022 12:30:33 GMT -6
The Audient iD22 is a great little full-featured interface.
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Post by howie on Jun 25, 2022 12:41:03 GMT -6
The Audient iD22 is a great little full-featured interface. I had one. I liked it - but It did not last more than a few years of moderate use. There was a discussion about these ID 22 failures on 'Gearslutz' which seemed not uncommon. I wonder if the newer ones are better made - or if they fixed the weak link- as there was talk of just a couple of parts causing the problem? Audient, at the time, was in denial.
So what did I do after my ID22 went kaput? I bought an Audient ID44 in the Spring of 2019 (got a good deal) and so far it's performed well at the 3 year mark.
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Post by gwlee7 on Jun 25, 2022 12:42:07 GMT -6
I’ll take a completely different tact, is there an interface you would consider that you can be the person who is their primary support? That’s pretty much how it works now. But it is also a great point. I am really leaning towards the cheapest MOTU that still has the ES converters since I have the ES828 and am very happy. I believe Guitar has the Ultralite MK 5 and is very happy. He is someone who has always steered me straight. |
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