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Post by doubledog on Aug 6, 2024 9:15:20 GMT -6
I know it's asking for a lot. But are there any other USB-connected interfaces (I can't use TB) that support more than 16 line-level inputs and outputs (I don't need more preamps really) in a single interface? Am I missing any? I'm currently running an Apollo 16 (silver, firewire) and every new releases from UA threatens to break it (or actually did break it in some cases). Also, it has to work with Windows (because that's what I use). So I'm looking at others.... here are the interfaces I am aware of...
Antelope Orion 32 (HD, 32+, etc. - several generations...) - I actually had an Orion 32 several years go (around when they first came out). I ended up going for the Apollo 16 then instead. I know there are horror stories about Antelope's support (but now UA seems to have a similar thing going...) but also a lot of "this sounds excellent". 32 I/O would be awesome...
Motu 16A - this looks pretty good, but I don't like that it doesn't have dedicated monitor outputs (so you give up line out 1/2 for that purpose ...). not a deal breaker as I don't really use 16 outs anyway. I'm currently using 8-12 out on my Apollo (monitor, 3 cue sends for headphone mixes), and then sometimes a few for outboard hw. Kind of seems like Motu is dropping AVB support? or at least not a lot of other options so that limits expansion options.
Arturia Fuse 16Rig - this also looked cool initially. I was excited that it could also support ADAT expansion, but less excited when I found out that it only supported 2 additional ports at 96KHz (18 I/O total), and at 192, can only support 10 total (so you can't even use the full 16 built into the interface!). of course if you run 44.1 or 48Khz, then it can expand up to 34 total I/O, but I'm doing most band sessions at 96... But this does do what my current interface does (or at least 16 I/O at 96KHz) and specs are still impressive (on the converters) and it has a few extras (headphone jacks, re-amp mode, etc.).
Lynx Aurora 16 - I had one at one time with the LT-USB card (also ditched it for the Apollo 16 which seemed right at the time). it ran hot and I don't think it could expand beyond 16 I/O with the USB card? I think the new (N) series are much pricier - most likely out of my budget even at a used price.
And yes, I want 16 I/O in the same unit because I'm done with trying to calculate delay across an ADAT or some other expansion bus. I want all of the drum tracks on the same interface (and yes, when I track drums for online sessions I typically send >8 tracks, even if I don't use them all in a mix). Maybe someone will come out with a USB 4 interface soon? (of course then I would need to upgrade my PC to one that has USB 4, which seems to be very few still). That is supposed to unite the connectivity split between Windows/Mac... maybe.... we can only hope... I'm not opposed to a Dante connected interface (with a PCIe card or even just the native software interface) but not seeing a lot out there, or at least not at a price I find affordable (everything seems to be much more $ than the Orion...). MADI would be Ok too. I even had an SSL MADI PCIe card way back when I was trying the Orion 32 (I was trying to get low latency but eventually found I had to change my workflow, which took a little while to get my head around... but that's a longer story for another time)
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 6, 2024 9:50:21 GMT -6
I think the Aurora N does 16 on usb, not certain if you can run two over two usb busses if your computer has multiple USB ports ?
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Post by Dan on Aug 6, 2024 10:11:06 GMT -6
RME Digiface Dante and use whatever. You could even hook up an Apogee Symphony II 16 SE to it on windows and defeat the Dante clock with asrc converters. There’s also Focusrite Rednet, Burl, anything you want.
RME Madiface XT or UFX III plus a good MADI converter. Ferrofish A32 Pro ditches the prosumer circuitry in the Pulse 16. There’s also SPL Madison for cheap warmth that’s not as detail killing as the MOTU AD.
Lynx Aurora (N) over the standard thesyscon xmos chipset drivers.
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Post by thehightenor on Aug 6, 2024 11:56:34 GMT -6
I just bought a Pulse 16 and it’s brilliant stands right next to my Crane Song converters, the Crane Song just edges it out of the way on stereo programme material but wow amazing value for money.
With my HEDD 192 feeding my Avocet and my Pulse 16 feeding my Avocet and switching between the two, you have to listen very intently to hear the difference.
Reply I received from Ferrofish support
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if you buy a new Pulse16 or a new A32pro they both have the same converter chips for the inputs, the outputs differ, but have same sensitivy and bit depth. There is no step down in quality And both are excellent converters.
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So really a fantastic bargain.
I’m beyond thrilled, and budget wasn’t actually an issue for me - the Pulse just had the perfect feature set with built in ADAT up to 96KHz for all 16 channels.
Paired with an RME ADAT USB unit …. perfect (I use mine with an RME RayDAT)
Highly recommend.
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Post by kbsmoove on Aug 6, 2024 22:55:28 GMT -6
i've been using an orion 32 for years with no issues whatsoever...except it simply will not work over USB with all 32 i/o enabled. 24 i/o is rock solid and it sounds great.
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Post by moeses on Aug 7, 2024 1:08:40 GMT -6
Using the rme digiface with the pulse 16
Paid about $1400 total for the both of them
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Post by drumsound on Aug 7, 2024 1:56:05 GMT -6
I bought an RME MadiFace so I could continue using my original Orion32.
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Post by christophert on Aug 7, 2024 16:52:45 GMT -6
I just bought a Pulse 16 and it’s brilliant stands right next to my Crane Song converters, the Crane Song just edges it out of the way on stereo programme material but wow amazing value for money. That is good to hear. I have been wondering how the Pulse convertors stack up with the big guns. I'm wanting to add another 16 I/O to my existing 32 without spending too much.
Amazing price compared to the Aurora(n).
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 7, 2024 16:56:41 GMT -6
You could try a Motu 24ao and a 24ai, paired over AVB. That would give you 24 analog i/o and be pretty seemless.
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Post by RealNoob on Aug 7, 2024 21:44:01 GMT -6
I have had an Orion studio since 2017. Between it, the MOTU ultralight and the Big Six, i don't hear much difference, certainly nothing stands out. I think you'd be fine with a MOTU box OR an Orion Gen4.
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Post by copperx on Aug 7, 2024 23:17:36 GMT -6
Using the rme digiface with the pulse 16 Paid about $1400 total for the both of them How do you manage with no dedicated headphone outputs, and no main volume pot? |
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Post by copperx on Aug 7, 2024 23:22:18 GMT -6
I have had an Orion studio since 2017. Between it, the MOTU ultralight and the Big Six, i don't hear much difference, certainly nothing stands out. I think you'd be fine with a MOTU box OR an Orion Gen4. MOTU is great, but I should have gone with the Big Six. It's a great deal given the I/O. |
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Post by thehightenor on Aug 8, 2024 0:30:45 GMT -6
I just bought a Pulse 16 and it’s brilliant stands right next to my Crane Song converters, the Crane Song just edges it out of the way on stereo programme material but wow amazing value for money. That is good to hear. I have been wondering how the Pulse convertors stack up with the big guns. I'm wanting to add another 16 I/O to my existing 32 without spending too much.
Amazing price compared to the Aurora(n).
It really is great. I’m monitoring with an Avocet and ATC 25’s so I can make a pretty well informed comparison to my Crane Song converters - the Pulse definitely punches well above its weight. I was drawn to the Pulse because it has built in ADAT and this is an after thought with the Aurora n. The ADAT provision on the Pulse is impressive, it has 8 ADAT ports as does the RME RayDAT which means I can have ALL 16 channels of the Pulse 16 running at 96KHz - there’s no reduction in channel count running in SMUX mode. Impressive! Plus, for my rig the Pulse 16 having TRS I/O as opposed to DB25 was essential as I’m spreading my I/O around between an analog monitoring mixer, an 8 channel desktop TT bay and a few other odds and ends like my Waza TAE and a re-amp box. DB25 would have been very messy for me. I have a very specific list of features and the Pulse 16 ticked every box. Sounds great too, really does  |
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Post by christophert on Aug 8, 2024 3:41:22 GMT -6
That is good to hear. I have been wondering how the Pulse convertors stack up with the big guns. I'm wanting to add another 16 I/O to my existing 32 without spending too much.
Amazing price compared to the Aurora(n).
It really is great. I’m monitoring with an Avocet and ATC 25’s so I can make a pretty well informed comparison to my Crane Song converters - the Pulse definitely punches well above its weight. I was drawn to the Pulse because it has built in ADAT and this is an after thought with the Aurora n. The ADAT provision on the Pulse is impressive, it has 8 ADAT ports as does the RME RayDAT which means I can have ALL 16 channels of the Pulse 16 running at 96KHz - there’s no reduction in channel count running in SMUX mode. Impressive! Plus, for my rig the Pulse 16 having TRS I/O as opposed to DB25 was essential as I’m spreading my I/O around between an analog monitoring mixer, an 8 channel desktop TT bay and a few other odds and ends like my Waza TAE and a re-amp box. DB25 would have been very messy for me. I have a very specific list of features and the Pulse 16 ticked every box. Sounds great too, really does @ thehightener > Do you have the version with the upgraded +24db option? |
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Post by doubledog on Aug 8, 2024 7:30:32 GMT -6
Using the rme digiface with the pulse 16 Paid about $1400 total for the both of them How do you manage with no dedicated headphone outputs, and no main volume pot? My Apollo 16 also does not have a dedicated headphone jack, but I run output 3/4 to a separate headphone amp. Actually I run 5/6 and 7/8 to it as well (it's a Nady HPA-8). It's nothing special, but it supports splitting it (has 3 inputs) - so I can run 3 separate cue mixes, which is usually enough for small tracking sessions. I considered getting a better D/A to put on the AES/EBU output for headphones, but haven't done it yet. The Apollo 16 DOES have a volume knob and I'm not sure what I'd do without that. I made a DIY monitor switch (it's just a 4PDT switch) so I can switch between 2 sets of (active) monitors. |
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Post by moeses on Aug 8, 2024 12:28:57 GMT -6
Using the rme digiface with the pulse 16 Paid about $1400 total for the both of them How do you manage with no dedicated headphone outputs, and no main volume pot? There's a headphone output on both the pulse and the digiface I also have the jds labs headphone amp which is insanely good for $99 |
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Post by phdamage on Aug 8, 2024 12:45:14 GMT -6
I bought an RME MadiFace so I could continue using my original Orion32. this might be my move soon. you glad you did it? |
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Post by drumsound on Aug 8, 2024 18:10:19 GMT -6
I bought an RME MadiFace so I could continue using my original Orion32. this might be my move soon. you glad you did it? Yeah, it was a shitload cheaper than buying new converters! |
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Post by doubledog on Aug 8, 2024 19:32:16 GMT -6
this might be my move soon. you glad you did it? Yeah, it was a shitload cheaper than buying new converters! Tony - why did you need the MADIface? It's still USB to the DAW right (and MADI to the Orion 32)? Is that because you couldn't get all 32 I/O to work over the built-in USB but it does work with the RME? Or what am I missing? |
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Post by RealNoob on Aug 8, 2024 21:06:15 GMT -6
I have had an Orion studio since 2017. Between it, the MOTU ultralight and the Big Six, i don't hear much difference, certainly nothing stands out. I think you'd be fine with a MOTU box OR an Orion Gen4. MOTU is great, but I should have gone with the Big Six. It's a great deal given the I/O. I had no idea it was an interface until it arrived. LOL. Great piece of kit. |
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Post by drumsound on Aug 8, 2024 21:41:37 GMT -6
Yeah, it was a shitload cheaper than buying new converters! Tony - why did you need the MADIface? It's still USB to the DAW right (and MADI to the Orion 32)? Is that because you couldn't get all 32 I/O to work over the built-in USB but it does work with the RME? Or what am I missing? No, it was because I upgraded from a MacMini that was new when the first gen Orion came out and they don't make drivers for the new (last summer, 2 summers ago, I can recall) MacStudio. |
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Post by thehightenor on Aug 9, 2024 0:49:53 GMT -6
It really is great. I’m monitoring with an Avocet and ATC 25’s so I can make a pretty well informed comparison to my Crane Song converters - the Pulse definitely punches well above its weight. I was drawn to the Pulse because it has built in ADAT and this is an after thought with the Aurora n. The ADAT provision on the Pulse is impressive, it has 8 ADAT ports as does the RME RayDAT which means I can have ALL 16 channels of the Pulse 16 running at 96KHz - there’s no reduction in channel count running in SMUX mode. Impressive! Plus, for my rig the Pulse 16 having TRS I/O as opposed to DB25 was essential as I’m spreading my I/O around between an analog monitoring mixer, an 8 channel desktop TT bay and a few other odds and ends like my Waza TAE and a re-amp box. DB25 would have been very messy for me. I have a very specific list of features and the Pulse 16 ticked every box. Sounds great too, really does @ thehightener > Do you have the version with the upgraded +24db option? No I have the standard +20db option. My HEDD 192 actually only has +18dB max output, plus I’m using mainly tube gear on mix down so in my case it would be largely pointless given my current overall gain structure and inherent noise floor. I think it’s aimed at those needing to be +24db SMPTE compliant. |
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Post by doubledog on Aug 15, 2024 11:08:51 GMT -6
for those of you using the Orion 32, what monitor controller do you use? I use the Apollo 16 volume knob currently, but have a DIY monitor switcher that switches between 2 pair of monitors. the Radial Nuance looks nice - www.radialeng.com/product/nuance-select although I'd prefer a 1U rackmount unit. |
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Post by svart on Aug 15, 2024 11:17:46 GMT -6
Love my MOTU 24ai.
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Post by doubledog on Aug 15, 2024 14:54:51 GMT -6
what do you use for output and such (obviously the 24ao is the companion... but no headphone/monitor controls). The 828ES looks like it would be a good match (if it is supported and anybody ever has stock again?). |
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