Upgrading to an Interface w More Inputs

[conttador]

I bought an SSL 2+ to record myself and that worked well to record myself w CD backing tracks. I’ve started jamming w a drummer and suddenly 2 inputs are not enough.

In due time we’ll probably add other musicians into the mix, pun intended, so I’d like to find another interface that will allow for more inputs. Would 8 be the logical next step? That said what would you recommend that’s under $1k or not much higher than $1k?

 

[Aloe]

yeah, 8 inputs seems like a safe bet, considering you need at least one input, your drummer needs two (I assume) and you're willing to add more (and not sure, how many). also consider when you'll have multiple people in your studio, at some point you'll badly want personal mixes, so consider having enough outputs for headphones and headphone amps.

a Clarett+ 8pre is in your price range and is a very nice interface, if you don't mind an usb one. I've been using the old Thunderbolt version which is discontinued and might have some problem with modern PCs (my M1 Mac likes it, but not my 11-gen Intel PC), but has a 2ms better latency.

my second vote would be a PreSonus Quantum, I believe, the current model is Quantum 2626 and it's even cheaper. I prefer the mic pres on Clarett, but Quantum is a big bang for the buck, considering your setup works good with Thunderbolt, of course (this happens not on all PCs, but I've never met a Mac that didn't work tho).

 

[conttador]

I’ll be using an IMac so Thunderbolt is a must.

 

[conttador]

yeah, 8 inputs seems like a safe bet, considering you need at least one input, your drummer needs two (I assume) and you're willing to add more (and not sure, how many). also consider when you'll have multiple people in your studio, at some point you'll badly want personal mixes, so consider having enough outputs for headphones and headphone amps.

a Clarett+ 8pre is in your price range and is a very nice interface, if you don't mind an usb one. I've been using the old Thunderbolt version which is discontinued and might have some problem with modern PCs (my M1 Mac likes it, but not my 11-gen Intel PC), but has a 2ms better latency.

my second vote would be a PreSonus Quantum, I believe, the current model is Quantum 2626 and it's even cheaper. I prefer the mic pres on Clarett, but Quantum is a big bang for the buck, considering your setup works good with Thunderbolt, of course (this happens not on all PCs, but I've never met a Mac that didn't work tho).

Thank you for those, I’ll look them up!

 

[Basslice]

+1 on the 8 or more inputs. I got tired of the 2 input interfaces and all the damn wires and plugging and unplugging things. I got a Scarlett 18i20 (a cheaper version of the Clarett+ 8Pre). I rack-mounted everything and have a Samson S-Patch Plus 48-point Balanced Patchbay. After designing my signal path map I now have dedicated inputs for each channel. The spaghetti is behind the rack and I never have to go back there. Everything has its spot on the front.

 

[Microbass]

FWIW, if it's not high end recording, worth considering the 8-ch Behringer UMC. We use one weekly for rehearsals as our PA and acoustic treatments suck in our rehearsal studio.
We don't always record but normally rehearse with headphones/IEM. We have the 8ch UMC and 8-channel expansion into a Mac Air running Logic. Does the job nicely and doesn't cost much. Also pretty good for recording.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

You might consider a Zoom F8n. It's a solid state field recorder with eight XLR inputs. I have used my F8 for recording live gigs. Very handy! I'm also using the F8 as an audio interface ... with 8 inputs front ending my DAW via USB. Excellent preamps. Great quality sound. Easy to use. And gets dual use in the studio and in the field.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

 

[conttador]

+1 on the 8 or more inputs. I got tired of the 2 input interfaces and all the damn wires and plugging and unplugging things. I got a Scarlett 18i20 (a cheaper version of the Clarett+ 8Pre). I rack-mounted everything and have a Samson S-Patch Plus 48-point Balanced Patchbay. After designing my signal path map I now have dedicated inputs for each channel. The spaghetti is behind the rack and I never have to go back there. Everything has its spot on the front.

I’ll check this one out. It would be nice to have a rack w recording gear!

 

[conttador]

View attachment 4811592

My first foray into recording was a small Zoom recorder. I’ll have to check this one out too.

 

[Basslice]

I’ll check this one out. It would be nice to have a rack w recording gear!

After I put together my rack my productivity and workflow increased dramatically. For me, having the right tools in the right place is important. I loved my little two-channel interfaces, but all the wires on the desktop and the unit sliding around was a real distraction.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

Im a fan of the Behringer xr-18. Very affordable and versatile. I can run PA, monitors (in ear or wedges) and record via usb into my DAW.
For the price and to have 16 xlr inputs, I haven’t found much better for my needs/purposes.

 

[Basslice]

After I put together my rack my productivity and workflow increased dramatically. For me, having the right tools in the right place is important. I loved my little two-channel interfaces, but all the wires on the desktop and the unit sliding around was a real distraction.

 

[conttador]

View attachment 4812152

That’s quite the rig!

 

[Basslice]

That’s quite the rig!

Thanks. It looks perhaps more impressive than it is. I find it very versatile. Did a lot of studying on how to set it up. It gives me a lot of flexibility: I can record solo, duo, or my whole band. I can set up certain channels for individual instruments, pedalboard or amps. I also rigged it up so I can transfer my collection of old 4-tracks into the DAW and remix or edit.

 

[Aloe]

I rack-mounted everything and have a Samson S-Patch Plus 48-point Balanced Patchbay.

oh, I also store my Clarett in a Samson rack. my rack is mostly shelves though.

there's a Thunderbolt dock inside, so only one cable goes to the laptop.

 

[Basslice]

My rack has the 18i20, an Alesis Microverb III, a headphone splitter (the headphone amp in the Scarlett is weak - is the Clarett loud enough? I want to eventually get some type of used outboard compressor to play around with.

 

[Aloe]

(the headphone amp in the Scarlett is weak - is the Clarett loud enough?

for me definitely, but I'm using low-impedance cans (like 32 ohms). YMMV
I've had a Scarlett, but it was years ago, so I really don't remember, how it compared.

I do have a more powerful external headphone amplifier, but it just sits unplugged for a while.

 

[Aloe]

a headphone splitter

oh, wait, you said 'splitter'. those indeed make things quieter. I don't use them, but not for that reason.
I plug two headphones into two HP outputs, so no need for splitter.

when I need more -- I connect my headphone amplifier (Presonus HP4) to the extra outputs at the back. so still no need for splitters for me.

consider HP amps: they give you the ability to adjust volume only for specific listener. and sound better.

 

[Basslice]

oh, wait, you said 'splitter'. those indeed make things quieter. I don't use them, but not for that reason.
I plug two headphones into two HP outputs, so no need for splitter.

when I need more -- I connect my headphone amplifier (Presonus HP4) to the extra outputs at the back. so still no need for splitters for me.

consider HP amps: they give you the ability to adjust volume only for specific listener. and sound better.

Oops. I did not mean to say splitter. It is a Presonus box that takes output from the interface and provides four independent headphone outs. My mixing headphones are pretty high impedance (160 or 180 ohm). The Focusrite cannot drive it, but the Presonus has no problems.