My audio interface is dead! I need to rant a bit and hear your advice please.

[Emre Hanli]

Hello everyone!

In 2017 I retired my old studio system and switched to a powerful Win10 laptop, coupled it with an Audient iD22 and upgraded to Cubase 9. I was skeptical about having an online system (where you HAVE to be online to keep things running) and the software evolving into a subscription model from a one time purchase and set up model. But it worked out for me. Even though Windows does everything in its power to butcher things up, I had been lucky enough to keep my system stable until about 10 days ago when my iD22 gave in.

Now I can see a few ways to get my studio up and running again:

1- Get the iD22 fixed:

I could dish out some cash to bring it back to life if I knew it would last another 4 years without issues. But I don't know anyone who could treat the unit right and not just put a band aid on it or try to swap the whole board instead of the few faulty caps. All these years I thought this unit was a tank, a gem and it'd never fail like this. The peace of mind that comes with such faith is priceless. Unfortunately, I don't see it possible with Audient anymore.

2- Replace the iD22 with another unit:

I don't have experience with the other brands that serve the sub $500 audio interface market but the general consensus seems to be that Audient gets you real pro quality audio (converters/DI etc.) and some serious functionality that's non-existent in it's price league. So another unit looks like a sure downgrade in terms of sound quality and functionality.

***Now this is where it gets tricky***

I'm just not so sure if I could hear the difference in practical situations and I'm pretty sure I don't need all the amazing functionality this unit provides. I don't consider myself an audiophile and all I did for 4 years on this system was record one track at a time and do the rest in the box. Not like I'm recording a live band or anything. Only my bass/electric guitar parts and vocals go through the audio interface and the rest happens in the box (tracks recorded elsewhere and VST instruments). That makes me suspect a big chunk of the sound of a typical tune I print has nothing to do with the converters/DIs of the interface I'm using.

<rant>Furthermore, I don't even think I'll be spending as much let alone going over $500 this time. Just the thought of it makes me sick. Some people think if a prosumer grade unit (read: doesn't suck big time but ain't golden either) has served you about 4-5 years, you've got your moneys worth. I'm just shocked that this has become the norm and it's OK for a manufacturer to drastically shorten a prosumer units life expectancy by putting cheaper capacitors on the board to save less than 5 cents per unit. Add to that the lack of proper driver support which is bound to happen sooner or later if you don't go RME level. Without proper drivers, a piece of hardware is a door stopper no matter how amazing it is.</rant>

So I started entertaining the idea of getting a cheaper unit with preamps and converters that wouldn't satisfy audio pros with golden ears because obviously I'm not one of them. My only concern is even though I'm no audiophile, I'd really like to do a blind test before committing to another interface which *might* not sound as good. Music is not my livelihood but I don't like the idea of cutting corners if means less than satisfactory results.

So here I am looking at Steinberg UR22C, Presonus Studio 68c and the likes ($200-300) because that's what a lot of super talented and creative people use to put out some fantastic music on a budget. A better recording setup obviously doesn't make one a better artist.
I'm also considering a super irrational move of breaking the bank and getting a RME whatever model because I know it won't come with cheap minded manufacturer shenanigans and will easily last a decade (read: peace of mind). The cheapest (USB) RME is the Babyface Pro FS at $1000 AFAIK.

The guts of my first home studio setup consisted of a dedicated offline WinXP PC and a Tascam interface and I ran Cubase on that system for about 9 years (2008-2017) without having to update or upgrade one single thing. And honestly I was much more productive back then. I really really miss those offline days where a system would keep on doing its thing regardless of the new tech and trends thrown at us at the speed of light.

Thanks for reading. Now, let the collective wisdom of TalkBass prevail!

Peace,
Emre

 

[AGCurry]

If a physical failure doesn't get you, the manufacturer's going out of business will ... or, the device's inability to keep up with changing protocols. Count yourself fortunate to get four years out of the Audient.

Really, there are several devices that are plenty good enough for your purposes for < $400. We seemed to have reached a plateau where there are no visible protocol/hardware changes on the horizon. After having trouble with getting Focusrite Scarlett drivers to work right every time, I now use the Steinberg UR. No problems and the sounds are fine to my ears.

 

[claudel]

I just gave up on my antique interface and bought a shiny new Black Lion Revolution 2x2.

[This invalid link has been removed]

I have no need for more than 2 ins/outs ( + headphone out ) so it's great for me.

I use it with bass, and the pitch conversion seems accurate even in the low end

$399 retail, not cheap but high quality. Metal case, knobs that feel as if they are actually attached to something.

A nice looking bundle of stuff for Windows comes with it, but I don't use Windows so I can't comment on that part.

 

[Basslice]

Check out the videos posted by Julian Krause (for example )

He does actual spec testing of various audio interfaces and has ranked many. There are a bunch of surprises. Price does not always equate with quality. A lot of the specs he measures (like noise floor and dynamic range) are things that even he admits are things most people can not normally hear. But if those things are a concern, you can make some qualified decisions.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HrD4cTsQpAZ8KK9jPzzGg

 

[Basslice]

p.s. I have a 1st generation Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 that is 9 years old and a Scarlett Solo (3rd gen) that is a year old. Neither has ever given me a problem so I don't buy into the narrative of cheap parts or short product life. I have gone through several iPhones in the time I have owned these units. If you only get 4-5 years out of something due to component failure (not upgraded performance) then I would stay away from that particular company.

 

[silky smoove]

Get the iD22 fixed

Is it no longer under warranty from Audient or the retailer? This is where I'd start if at all possible.

the general consensus seems to be that Audient gets you real pro quality audio

It certainly does not. It is a consumer-grade device with consumer-grade components and build quality. Nothing wrong with that, but it is not a professional-grade device. The good news is that products in the consumer tier have REALLY come a long way in the last decade or more.

serious functionality that's non-existent in it's price league

Every audio interface by reputable manufacturers at this price point all do the same thing, they all sound roughly the same (minor differences in preamps being the most likely candidate with AD being a distant consideration for differences). The Audient is not some mythical device that offers more than what Focusrite, Presonus, MOTU, etc. are doing at this consumer tier.

Some people think if a prosumer grade unit (read: doesn't suck big time but ain't golden either) has served you about 4-5 years, you've got your moneys worth.

Not sure if you're referring to the Audient iD22, but it is not a prosumer tier device.

So here I am looking at Steinberg UR22C, Presonus Studio 68c and the likes ($200-300)

Either of those units would serve you well given your stated needs which are quite modest.

I'm also considering a super irrational move of breaking the bank and getting a RME whatever model

RME makes excellent products, which unlike the iD22 are actually in the prosumer tier of devices. This would be a marked step up from your Audient unit.

pitch conversion

What do you mean by pitch conversion? Are you just referring to the AD stage?

 

[claudel]

What do you mean by pitch conversion? Are you just referring to the AD stage?

Yes, perhaps I should have written: "pitch detection"

Accurate and articulate pitch detection/digital conversion is quite difficult, apparently, especially with bass due to the longer wavelength of the notes.

I'm hearing a difference in the quality of this function with the Revolution.

Translates to less mush in the low end, at least to my ears.

 

[silky smoove]

Yes, perhaps I should have written: "pitch detection"

What pitch function is an audio interface providing that requires detection? BLA’s interface doesn’t provide any functionality that necessitates it, so I’m trying to figure out what you’re describing.

Accurate and articulate pitch detection/digital conversion is quite difficult, apparently, especially with bass due to the longer wavelength of the notes.

Regarding difficulty of conversion; It’s been nearly flawless for over two decades with even modestly priced consumer tier products. I would not call that difficult.

 

[smtp4me]

My general rule is that if the cost of repair is more than a certain percentage of the cost to replace, I will replace. I agree with others here - the Focusrite interfaces are among the "best bang for the buck".

Personally, I have an Apogee Element24, which I bought because I previously owned an Apogee Jam and loved the audio quality and overall ease of use. Apogee is more popular with and designed towards the Apple Mac crowd, which includes me. I would highly recommend it to you, but... the Element24 is the smallest (2 x combo inputs - 1/4 inch and XLR) and costs about $600 which is above what you want to spend.

 

[Erik Turkman]

I’ve got the id22 and a couple Steinberg interfaces. I would put them in a similar category as far as quality of sound. If you are using Cubase, I’d suggest a Steinberg interface. Lately, I’ve been using a UR44, which sounds fine and also works with my iPad. Although, I’m a Mac user when it comes to recording, so I can’t comment on Windows integration.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hello everyone!

In 2017 I retired my old studio system and switched to a powerful Win10 laptop, coupled it with an Audient iD22 and upgraded to Cubase 9. I was skeptical about having an online system (where you HAVE to be online to keep things running) and the software evolving into a subscription model from a one time purchase and set up model. But it worked out for me. Even though Windows does everything in its power to butcher things up, I had been lucky enough to keep my system stable until about 10 days ago when my iD22 gave in.

Now I can see a few ways to get my studio up and running again:

1- Get the iD22 fixed:

I could dish out some cash to bring it back to life if I knew it would last another 4 years without issues. But I don't know anyone who could treat the unit right and not just put a band aid on it or try to swap the whole board instead of the few faulty caps. All these years I thought this unit was a tank, a gem and it'd never fail like this. The peace of mind that comes with such faith is priceless. Unfortunately, I don't see it possible with Audient anymore.

2- Replace the iD22 with another unit:

I don't have experience with the other brands that serve the sub $500 audio interface market but the general consensus seems to be that Audient gets you real pro quality audio (converters/DI etc.) and some serious functionality that's non-existent in it's price league. So another unit looks like a sure downgrade in terms of sound quality and functionality.

***Now this is where it gets tricky***

I'm just not so sure if I could hear the difference in practical situations and I'm pretty sure I don't need all the amazing functionality this unit provides. I don't consider myself an audiophile and all I did for 4 years on this system was record one track at a time and do the rest in the box. Not like I'm recording a live band or anything. Only my bass/electric guitar parts and vocals go through the audio interface and the rest happens in the box (tracks recorded elsewhere and VST instruments). That makes me suspect a big chunk of the sound of a typical tune I print has nothing to do with the converters/DIs of the interface I'm using.

<rant>Furthermore, I don't even think I'll be spending as much let alone going over $500 this time. Just the thought of it makes me sick. Some people think if a prosumer grade unit (read: doesn't suck big time but ain't golden either) has served you about 4-5 years, you've got your moneys worth. I'm just shocked that this has become the norm and it's OK for a manufacturer to drastically shorten a prosumer units life expectancy by putting cheaper capacitors on the board to save less than 5 cents per unit. Add to that the lack of proper driver support which is bound to happen sooner or later if you don't go RME level. Without proper drivers, a piece of hardware is a door stopper no matter how amazing it is.</rant>

So I started entertaining the idea of getting a cheaper unit with preamps and converters that wouldn't satisfy audio pros with golden ears because obviously I'm not one of them. My only concern is even though I'm no audiophile, I'd really like to do a blind test before committing to another interface which *might* not sound as good. Music is not my livelihood but I don't like the idea of cutting corners if means less than satisfactory results.

So here I am looking at Steinberg UR22C, Presonus Studio 68c and the likes ($200-300) because that's what a lot of super talented and creative people use to put out some fantastic music on a budget. A better recording setup obviously doesn't make one a better artist.
I'm also considering a super irrational move of breaking the bank and getting a RME whatever model because I know it won't come with cheap minded manufacturer shenanigans and will easily last a decade (read: peace of mind). The cheapest (USB) RME is the Babyface Pro FS at $1000 AFAIK.

The guts of my first home studio setup consisted of a dedicated offline WinXP PC and a Tascam interface and I ran Cubase on that system for about 9 years (2008-2017) without having to update or upgrade one single thing. And honestly I was much more productive back then. I really really miss those offline days where a system would keep on doing its thing regardless of the new tech and trends thrown at us at the speed of light.

Thanks for reading. Now, let the collective wisdom of TalkBass prevail!

Peace,
Emre

How many inputs do you need?

I use the focusrite scarlett 18i8.

My guitar player uses a presonus mix board with 20 inputs. Its pretty dope, but my focusrite has 4 inputs on front, four on back. More than I need and $300.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

First off, my RME Fireface 400/Win7/Reaper machine has been pretty much flawless for a decade. It wasn't cheap, and the Firewire is definitely dated, but it's still working well. If you can spring for RME, I'd recommend that in a heartbeat.

OTOH, I bought an SSL 2+ ($300) last year and it's been the best USB-based interface I've owned. I've had a few other inexpensive ones, but the SSL sounds great and has worked really well for a simple, quick, easy-to-use interface. Sonically, the RME wins in AD and DA, but the Firewire is a bit of a pain compared to USB, so I use the SSL for anything that isn't a going on a record - and sometimes for that, too.

 

[Ken Morgan]

After a long owned and abused Fireface800 died (hell, was used when I bought it) needed something ASAP. Was shopping for a Focusrite Clarett 8, none anywhere in North America. Got the next best thing, Steinberg UR816 C…

turns out to be an amazing product. Much better pres than I’ve encountered at this price point, rock solid…

 

[Aloe]

been in your shoes. a bit of advice: check the audio interface with a different computer.

years ago I thought my sound interface was dead or broken. in fact the interface was okay, it’s the computer that was broken. strangely enough it worked with other two interfaces, but stopped with this one. that computer suddenly died of mainboard failure just a few months after and no tech was able to repair it. the interface that stopped working with that computer was totally fine on other computers. so, double-check if it’s really the interface

 

[Shlabotnik]

Replace it. Get the best Focusrite unit you can for your what you want to spend (I'm still rockin the 1st gen 18i20 and going strong!) and it'll more than get the job done for you.

 

[Katoosie]

I vote for either some focusrite or SSL2/SSL2+.

Disclosure, I own a scarlet one

 

[LBS-bass]

Love my Focusrites; I own two of them, both in the Scarlett line. They do everything I need and they work well and produce quality audio.

 

[Emre Hanli]

If a physical failure doesn't get you, the manufacturer's going out of business will ... or, the device's inability to keep up with changing protocols. Count yourself fortunate to get four years out of the Audient.

Really, there are several devices that are plenty good enough for your purposes for < $400. We seemed to have reached a plateau where there are no visible protocol/hardware changes on the horizon. After having trouble with getting Focusrite Scarlett drivers to work right every time, I now use the Steinberg UR. No problems and the sounds are fine to my ears.

That's good to hear. Which DAW are you using? And which UR? I was hoping to hear good things about coupling Cubase with Steinberg audio interfaces since it's the same manufacturer but didn't see anybody mentioning it online. Don't know if it makes sense in this context anyway. BTW, is your website online? I couldn't reach it.

Check out the videos posted by Julian Krause (for example )

He does actual spec testing of various audio interfaces and has ranked many. There are a bunch of surprises. Price does not always equate with quality. A lot of the specs he measures (like noise floor and dynamic range) are things that even he admits are things most people can not normally hear. But if those things are a concern, you can make some qualified decisions.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HrD4cTsQpAZ8KK9jPzzGg

His approach definitely sounds reasonable. I'll spare about an hour to check his videos out. Thank you. By the way, the cheap parts and shortened product life is exactly the case here with Audient. Turns out many other iD22s failed after 3-5 years due to some cheap capacitors. Especially the one right next to the heatsink isn't fit to be exposed to that heat. The proper capacitors they could have used on the board wouldn't even add one whole dollar to the cost. I'm not saying this was intentional. Looks more like a faulty design and implementation.

 

[WG Plum]

I've been very happy with Focusrite. FWIW, I ditched Cubase because dongles are a PITA and I don't like subscription services. Sonar has been great for me, though it was a little dicey for a bit, it is being supported again.

 

[wellshuxley]

Unfortunately, as soon as I read the thread title I said “my money’s on Audient!” There are several threads ranting about their recent QC issues over on Gearspace.

I’m sorry for your misfortune.

Depending on your needs, I’d recommend checking out the Motu M4, or even the M2 if you never intend to use the M4’s extra two line inputs. Freaking fantastic converters for the money and the preamps are comparable in quality to Audient’s, though they have a slightly different flavor. I own a UA Apollo 16 that costs over 10x as much as the Motu and I’m planning to use the Motu from now on (purely for convenience) unless I’m tracking >4 tracks simultaneously, ie unless I’m recording drums.