Trying to decide on audio interface

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-- Trying to decide on audio interface

Posted by S1Spawn on Oct-09-2008 14:29:

Trying to decide on audio interface

I'm gonna get an audio interface which i will be mainly using for monitoring and some vocals. I'm stuck trying to make up my mind on what would be the best bang for my cheese.

1- Echo Audiofire2

2- M audio Fast track pro

3- Presonus audio box 2

I'm using logic and have 2 M audio BX5 monitors.....I want the best sound quality for monitoring possible. Tip, reviews, advice....Please

Posted by Eric J on Oct-09-2008 14:40:

Although the interfaces listed certainly wouldn't qualify as "best sound quality", out of all those you have listed, I would go for the Echo Audiofire.

Posted by S1Spawn on Oct-09-2008 14:44:

Other than the ones listed any suggestions are most welcome. I was looking at the apogee duet but its a bit pricey.....

Posted by Eric J on Oct-09-2008 15:01:

quote:
Originally posted by S1Spawn
Other than the ones listed any suggestions are most welcome. I was looking at the apogee duet but its a bit pricey.....

What is your budget?

Posted by S1Spawn on Oct-09-2008 15:12:

can't go over $400....tight right now

Posted by Eric J on Oct-09-2008 16:01:

Honestly, at that price your choices are severely limited. Most of the stuff in that range is utter garbage IMO, especially M-Audio. I avoid M-Audio like the plague. If I were you I'd wait a bit longer and see if you can afford to pick up either:

1. Apogee Duet (Great converters for the price. Only problem is the fact that you have NO expandability).

2. MOTU UltraLite - Not as great converters as the Apogee, but is expandable with lots of features, which is a plus.

IMO this is about the minimum level of quality you should put up with. I think it'd be worth the wait, and you'll be more satisfied in the long run with your purchase. You may also want to check out eBay and see if you can pick one of these up second hand.

What audio interface are you working with now?

Posted by S1Spawn on Oct-09-2008 16:20:

I am currently just running a line from my imac output directly in to my monitors.

Posted by Eric J on Oct-09-2008 17:49:

quote:
Originally posted by S1Spawn
I am currently just running a line from my imac output directly in to my monitors.

Well, obviously ANY type of proper audio interface is going to better than that, I still think you should wait and get one of the interfaces I mentioned above.

Posted by S1Spawn on Oct-09-2008 18:07:

cool thanx for the help...........

Posted by Lucidity on Oct-09-2008 18:18:

I personally use the Focusrite Saffire, love it, and never a complaint here. I have never tried an Apogee but, for the price range you listed, one of the Saffire's should be right in your range. And they have awesome mic preamps if you ever record vocals.

Posted by cryophonik on Oct-09-2008 18:47:

Re: Trying to decide on audio interface

quote:
Originally posted by S1Spawn
I'm using...2 M audio BX5 monitors.....I want the best sound quality for monitoring possible.

Maybe spend less on a soundcard and upgrade your monitors as well - the BX5s aren't bad monitors, but you'll probably notice more improvement from better monitors than you would notice between the different soundcards that you listed? Regardless, having a proper soundcard is essential.

Posted by S1Spawn on Oct-09-2008 18:55:

Thanx for the info.......what monitors would you suggest?? I was looking at krk..

Posted by Nicolas Oliver on Oct-11-2008 03:00:

quote:
Originally posted by S1Spawn
I was looking at krk..

The new VXT6s are supposed to be great. If you're interested, I know that Joel (the Mau5) uses the VXT8s. I have a pair of Event TR8s and I'm quite happy with them. I also listened to the Yamaha HS-80Ms and they sounded great (extremely clear in the mids and highs) but because of the spatial limitations of my room and desk the rear-ported design of the Yamahas wouldn't have worked well.

Posted by Alan2008 on Oct-11-2008 15:38:

Sorry to change the subject, but could someone tell me if the "Profire 2626" has good sound quality from personal experience ? I'll be recording Guitar also perhaps, any other suggestions on a good interface would be helpful

Posted by S1Spawn on Oct-11-2008 17:03:

quote:
Originally posted by Nick Cenik
The new VXT6s are supposed to be great. If you're interested, I know that Joel (the Mau5) uses the VXT8s. I have a pair of Event TR8s and I'm quite happy with them. I also listened to the Yamaha HS-80Ms and they sounded great (extremely clear in the mids and highs) but because of the spatial limitations of my room and desk the rear-ported design of the Yamahas wouldn't have worked well.

I will have to look into the krks later. Don't have enough cheese at the moment. thanx for the info

what about the rp5g2 or rp8g2??

Posted by S1Spawn on Nov-02-2008 15:26:

Got an apogee duet and a pair of Adam A7....... What a difference

Posted by Tom Scott on Nov-02-2008 16:43:

Ignore the complete noobishness of this question please

Do these audio interfaces work as sound cards? For example, my internal sound card is broken, if this was plugged into my computer would it render the other one obsolete and replace it as the sound card? Or am i barking up the wrong tree lol?

Thanks

Posted by Zak McKracken on Nov-02-2008 20:30:

Re: Trying to decide on audio interface

quote:
Originally posted by S1Spawn
Echo Audiofire2

i have that one and it is great sounding BUT it is annoyingly small making it easy for the cables to drag it down from the desk or wherever u have it, its just not heavy enough physicaly.
this made it fall down on the floor making the firewire connection loose behind and it got electrocuted, a big boom in my speakers, and now the device is dead. great as long as it works but it didnt seem very robust imo. i would get audiofire 4 instead, heavier better midi-connections and maybe also better powersupply. also do not power from firewire.

Posted by DJ RANN on Nov-02-2008 21:25:

Re: Re: Trying to decide on audio interface

quote:
Originally posted by palm
i have that one and it is great sounding BUT it is annoyingly small making it easy for the cables to drag it down from the desk or wherever u have it, its just not heavy enough physicaly.
this made it fall down on the floor making the firewire connection loose behind and it got electrocuted, a big boom in my speakers, and now the device is dead. great as long as it works but it didnt seem very robust imo. i would get audiofire 4 instead, heavier better midi-connections and maybe also better powersupply. also do not power from firewire.

Hot plugging is a sure fire way to kill a firewire audio interface - it's not a negative of the audiofire itself, more of firewire interfaces as a whole. Contact Echo and see what they can do - some manufacturers will fix stuff outside of warranty in the interest of customer satisfaction. At least worth a try.

Tom Scott - yes an audio interface is the term used to describe internal and external soundacrds, but is more often meant to describe external sound cards (usb or firewire etc.)

Posted by EgosXII on Nov-03-2008 01:54:

hey guys looks like i'm in the same situation as spawn: except i'm in Ozzztrailiaaaah

i was looking at the echo audiofire 4... sounds like the best AI for it's price..???

need monitors as well, so the price is pretty important with my extremely small budget
I'm currently just using the in-built novation xiosynth sound card...