Audio Interfaces

[Jazzmatazz]

I'm thinking of picking up an audio interface for me to play around with. Is it possible to pick up a decent one for a couple of hundred bucks? What are the good ones?

Thanks

 

[bholder]

I'm thinking of picking up an audio interface for me to play around with. Is it possible to pick up a decent one for a couple of hundred bucks? What are the good ones?

Thanks

It is possible sure. I love my Focusrite Scarlett 2i4.

 

[Jazzmatazz]

I've been doing some searching online and the Scarlett seems to be quite highly rated.

 

[Iofflight]

Focusrite is decent so is the Steinberg UR22/44. If I were looking for something that sounds great with low I/O count I'd get something by Audient.

 

[old spice]

I have a Mackie Onyx 400F that I got used that’s worked well for 5 years.
It’s FireWire connectivity, requires Mac computer.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

It is possible sure. I love my Focusrite Scarlett 2i4.

Agreed.

You can definitely find something under a couple hundred bucks that will give you great sound quality.

 

[mouthmw]

Roland Rubix 22 is another great little interface. Pretty much like Scarlett 2i2 but it has MIDI in & out, option for stereo direct monitoring, ground lift and an option for external power source. I use it and it's great. Most of those will do just fine.

 

[thebreakman]

I have the Focusrite 2i2. Fantastic piece. Use it with Reaper

 

[Badwater]

One option is the Presonus Audio Box USB. It comes with a full DAW Stuio One 3.5 Artist (not light). And, it's half the price of what you expect to spend.

 

[Iofflight]

Also consider if you will ever want midi connected to the computer. If you decide to add a keyboard for Midi some of the Focusrites will not work for you. It will need to have Midi I/O.

 

[bholder]

Also consider if you will ever want midi connected to the computer. If you decide to add a keyboard for Midi some of the Focusrite's will not work for you. It will need to have Midi I/O.

Goes for any manufacturer really, check to make sure the unit has what you need before buying. My FocusRite Scarlett 2i4 has MIDI support though I haven't used it yet.

 

[Iofflight]

That's true the UR12 and ID4 don't have it either for some reason though I've only ever seen people make this mistake with Focusrites. Probably because they are popular and a lot of people don't really know what they are doing (this goes for the synth world primarily where people think the Audio and midi is automatically going to come through the USB. Then they realize their desktop synth has no way to be controlled/sequenced. It's less likely an issue here where a lot of people are just looking for a AD/DA converter essentially.

 

[JKos]

Look up the Tascam iXR Trackpack. $110 on Amazon. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or 2i4 are sure bets.

- John

 

[Jazzmatazz]

Thanks for all the great information everyone.

 

[honeyiscool]

Audient (or an Apogee) is the only brand I trust at the entry level.

 

[BrianVengeance]

Would add RME and SPL (Crimson) to that list as well.