Home Studio Audio Interface Recommendations?

[DinoRock]

I have been using the following: Mac Mini w 32G memory, Studio One v4 and related plugins, and a Presonus AudioBox 44VSL as my audio interface. After 6 happy years, the 44VSL is toast. These days, I mainly do bass tracks for my own band and others. The aforementioned equipment stays in my home studio.

I am going to continue using the Mac Mini and S1.

What options do people recommend? I understand that I can find some new units on Reverb and some refurbished units on Presonus.
(The 44VSL was discontinued a few years back.)

I'd like high quality, simple, and easy integration into my system.

Let's keep the recommendations to under $1K.

Thanks!

 

[And I]

So you're looking for an audio interface, as opposed to a DI box, yes? Something to plug your bass into your computer? If you were happy with your Presonus, why not get another newer model? You might also try Focusrite or Tascam. If you want higher quality, you could try an Apogee Duet.

 

[MuttThud]

I have been using the following: Mac Mini w 32G memory, Studio One v4 and related plugins, and a Presonus AudioBox 44VSL as my audio interface. After 6 happy years, the 44VSL is toast. These days, I mainly do bass tracks for my own band and others. The aforementioned equipment stays in my home studio.

I am going to continue using the Mac Mini and S1.

What options do people recommend? I understand that I can find some new units on Reverb and some refurbished units on Presonus.
(The 44VSL was discontinued a few years back.)

I'd like high quality, simple, and easy integration into my system.

Let's keep the recommendations to under $1K.

Thanks!

How old is your Mac Mini? Does it have Thunderbolt ports (and if so, Thunderbolt 1, 2 or 3)? Or is it USB only, and if so which flavour of USB? Sorry to come at you with a quick multiple choice but the best option available for you will be determined by which kind of ports you have on your Mac Mini.

If by chance you have a Thunderbolt port (whatever version) I’d recommend looking at any of the Thunderbolt interfaces that are compatible with your Mac Mini. Thunderbolt performance is much better than USB (the protocol essentially provides direct bus access inside the computer with super low latency). No worries if you don’t, though: plenty of excellent USB interfaces out there (and for a lot less than $1k... most are more like $150-300).

Focusrite is always a good starting point, either the Clarett or Scarlett range are pretty solid. If you do have Thunderbolt and can spare the money (around $500 or so), the UAD Apollo (Thunderbolt 2) or UAD Arrow (Thunderbolt 3) are really good - I have the latter, which is super solid and has never let me down.

 

[DinoRock]

How old is your Mac Mini? Does it have Thunderbolt ports (and if so, Thunderbolt 1, 2 or 3)? Or is it USB only, and if so which flavour of USB? Sorry to come at you with a quick multiple choice but the best option available for you will be determined by which kind of ports you have on your Mac Mini.

If by chance you have a Thunderbolt port (whatever version) I’d recommend looking at any of the Thunderbolt interfaces that are compatible with your Mac Mini. Thunderbolt performance is much better than USB (the protocol essentially provides direct bus access inside the computer with super low latency). No worries if you don’t, though: plenty of excellent USB interfaces out there (and for a lot less than $1k... most are more like $150-300).

Focusrite is always a good starting point, either the Clarett or Scarlett range are pretty solid. If you do have Thunderbolt and can spare the money (around $500 or so), the UAD Apollo (Thunderbolt 2) or UAD Arrow (Thunderbolt 3) are really good - I have the latter, which is super solid and has never let me down.

Thanks. Thunderbolt 3. Will do some reading on the UAD Arrow. I appreciate it.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

$1k is your potential budget? RME Babyface Pro.

 

[ElectricBass72]

I'm using a Windows 10 PC with Behringer USB Mixer, Line 6 POD UX2 and Eden DI box. Lots of good sounding options for well under $1K.

Presonus makes quality gear. I used a Firebox interface with firewire for many years on a Windows XP PC. There's plenty of options that won't break the bank.

 

[Kriegs]

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, 4i4 and 18i20 models, depending on the number of in/outputs you need. I regularly use those three Focusrite models and prefer them over the various M-Audio, Behringer and PreSonus models that I've tried.

 

[MuttThud]

Thanks. Thunderbolt 3. Will do some reading on the UAD Arrow. I appreciate it.

No problem. The selling point of UAD for me is the amp models with what they call 'unison’ technology where the individual components through the audio chain are modelled precisely in software and run on the dedicated hardware inside the interface rather than inside the computer. With the UAD Arrow and when using the Eden bass amp model (for example... it’s my favourite), I can use the main knob on the desktop interface to adjust gain, enhance and master output as I play. It’s like tweaking the physical controls on an actual amp. The UAD amp models aren’t cheap but they work and sound great and have changed completely how I record. It’s possible to do the same with other software alternatives (AmpliTube, Bias Amp and Bias FX etc) but having tried them all over the past year, the UAD range won through for me. YMMV and all that... these things are always subjective.

 

[getbent]

I've had great luck with the Mackie Onyx Blackjack 2x2 USB Recording Interface, with both GarageBand (Mac) and Reaper (Windows). It was pretty cheap, simple to use, just plug & play (i did have to download a driver to use it with Windows 10), and sounds good to my ears. If you can't find one used, Mackie is making some [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

 

[cornfarmer]

If you don't care about having the latest/greatest, and if you can find one, I recommend the Lexicon I-ONIX stuff from a couple of years ago, they made a 2 and 4 channel version as well (there's a 4 channel one on Reverb right now for $69). I was retooling my whole setup a while back and found a beat up 8 channel one for $30 with the wrong power supply. It looked like it had been rode hard and put up wet, but everything on it works. I ordered the right power supply from Lexicon, and I have recorded an a$$ load of music with it. The simple layout works great, the preamps sound great, and the fact that it's not in a rack enclosure/box makes it a little easier on the eyes (and with my physical setup). The only thing you'd have to check is if the requirements are compatible: "Mac OS X 10.4.9 or higher"

I though it was dying last year, so I got a Scarlett 18i20 for a week to troubleshoot what was going on, the Scarlett didn't sound any better or worse, just a different layout. It turned out my problem was a dying motherboard on the PC. Switched computers and the Lexicon is back on duty and hasn't had a single hiccup. I'd say get one of those Lexicons for cheap, and you can spend the rest of your dough on something else.

Drivers manual and etc here -
Lexicon I-ONIX U82S

 

[AlvarHanso]

I used to use the PreSonus 44VSL, and still use that for my road recordings, but at home, I've upgraded to the PreSonus Studio 18/10. I kinda wish they had just upgraded the number of inputs on the 44VSL, but I'm content with the 18/10.

 

[BrianVengeance]

As just mentioned in another post just now - Metric Halo ULN-2 with a 3D card. You won’t need to buy another interface. They’re rock solid, sound amazing, expandable and future proof. All components are field serviceable cards, and new hardware updates are made for the entire product line. No forced deprecation.

 

[DirtDog]

MOTU is another good choice at that price point. I regret selling my 828mkIII. Want to get the latest version.

 

[DinoRock]

Thanks to all. I picked up the Presonus 1810c from Sweetwater. So far, so good. Easy integration for me into my system: current model mac mini 32G, Studio One v4, amplifier/passive monitors.

Downside: compared to 44VSL, the input knobs are smooth, which makes it a bit tough to dial in and play w input volumes to avoid peaking compared to 44VSL where knobs click position by position so I could try to increase by 2, decrease by 1, etc. Knobs are small and my hands are big.

I also miss the knob to blend the instrument I am playing (bass) with playback from my DAW w no noticable delay. There are ways to do it in software, but are a bit cumbersome as it results in moving faders about, jiggling 1810c main out knob, and amplifier volume. I'm sure I'll be fine with these after a bit. Just 2 observations.

I like the XMAX preamps and the variety of I/O options, including the dedicated midi input and output (rather than a cable dongle that some systems/models offer).

I'm in the middle of recording the last tune for a CD and my first track with this unit. Will update if anything interesting to pass along.

Thanks again, all!