Who has the GOOD interfaces IN STOCK- *NOW*

[vindibona1]

I pre-ordered a MOTU M4 with Sweetwater a month ago and was told to expect them in about May 28th. I sent an inquiry to my rep and was told today that now the shipment delivery was pushed back until June 17. There are some project I'm wanting to do while I'm still home-sheltered (Groundhog Day #72!).

At this point I would be happy a SS2+, but they're on backorder too whever I've checked... or perhaps even a Focusrite (4i4/6i6?) but that would be my distant choice.
Anyone know of dealers in the US that actually have these mid level interfaces in stock? It's like an interface drought!

 

[DCCat]

I ordered an M4 from Sweetwater yesterday and was told to expect shipment on July 1. So maybe you can at least take solace from the fact that you're ahead of me in line.

Looks like they have the Scarlett 4i4 and the Native Instruments Audio 6 in stock right now.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

All the big stores are out and are waiting shipment. COVID has disrupted supply chains across the world. MOTU is guessing when they can get them shipped out to wholesalers. But any day could bring another problem in the chain which means another delay. Your best bet is try call small shops and find one locally you can pick up.

Otherwise you'll either have to be patient or pick a different interface that you can get. Pick up a used Focusrite Forte or MOTU Track 16 for around the same price. Look on Reverb.com. There are thousands of good interfaces available for purchase. If you are picky, you'll have to wait. Or you can get something else now and get to work on your projects. What's more important to you? Getting exactly the tool you want, or getting to use a similar tool right away?

 

[Passinwind]

I pre-ordered a MOTU M4 with Sweetwater a month ago and was told to expect them in about May 28th. I sent an inquiry to my rep and was told today that now the shipment delivery was pushed back until June 17. There are some project I'm wanting to do while I'm still home-sheltered (Groundhog Day #72!).

At this point I would be happy a SS2+, but they're on backorder too whever I've checked... or perhaps even a Focusrite (4i4/6i6?) but that would be my distant choice.
Anyone know of dealers in the US that actually have these mid level interfaces in stock? It's like an interface drought!

It's not just nice prosumer level interfaces. I ordered a custom I/O cable set for my tube amp build from a very reliable vendor in the ROC a couple of days ago and he quoted 6-8 weeks on shipping, after however long his build queue is at the moment. In the past it never took more than ten days from order submission to pickup at my PO box.

BTW, I have GAS for one of those MOTU pieces too. But since I just got a new iPad (my first) and have something else that will work fine for now, I have plenty of other things to get up to speed on anyway!

 

[vindibona1]

It's not just nice prosumer level interfaces. I ordered a custom I/O cable set for my tube amp build from a very reliable vendor in the ROC a couple of days ago and he quoted 6-8 weeks on shipping, after however long his build queue is at the moment. In the past it never took more than ten days from order submission to pickup at my PO box.

BTW, I have GAS for one of those MOTU pieces too. But since I just got a new iPad (my first) and have something else that will work fine for now, I have plenty of other things to get up to speed on anyway!

This all sort of makes a case for bringing industry back to the US. While this is a naturally caused emergency causing production lines to slow or shut down, I'm afraid that an intentionally manufactured one could happen, more easily now than ever. I blame Richard Nixon.

In terms of an interface, I would also be happy with a SSL2+. I like the 4k buttons and how that system operates as well and would be fine for me. I looked into the Native Instruments: Komplete Audio 6 MK2 and while it has the features that I could live with, it just seems like old technology compared to the others. Focusrite's system just never moved me... but that gives me a thought. Stay tuned.

 

[silky smoove]

I looked into the Native Instruments: Komplete Audio 6 MK2 and while it has the features that I could live with, it just seems like old technology compared to the others. Focusrite's system just never moved me... but that gives me a thought. Stay tuned.

It's all old technology. AD conversion hasn't changed much in a long time. Sure there have been improvements, but as @Frank Tuesday pointed out earlier there are plenty of perfectly serviceable units out there that are readily available given your need for track counts (i.e. a minimum of two by the looks of things). Even a first generation Focusrite Scarlett would get you up and running if you need to get something recorded. The interfaces you've listed are sort of high end of the consumer tier and bottom end of the prosumer tier, and there really isn't much sonic/fidelity difference between units at this level. It's only once you get to the professional tier that things get more specifically colored. Everything prosumer and down is a transformer-less signal path geared to be as transparent as possible, typically with around high 50s to low 60s (db) of preamp gain, and any tone color imparted by the unit (SSL 4K button, Focusrite AIR switch, etc.) is nothing more than a selectable EQ preset that gets printed which you could easily replicate non-destructively in any DAW.

If you need to get something recorded, just grab an interface. In 2020 they're all plenty good for that task. In 2010 they were all plenty good for that task!

 

[vindibona1]

All the big stores are out and are waiting shipment. COVID has disrupted supply chains across the world. MOTU is guessing when they can get them shipped out to wholesalers. But any day could bring another problem in the chain which means another delay. Your best bet is try call small shops and find one locally you can pick up.

Otherwise you'll either have to be patient or pick a different interface that you can get. Pick up a used Focusrite Forte or MOTU Track 16 for around the same price. Look on Reverb.com. There are thousands of good interfaces available for purchase. If you are picky, you'll have to wait. Or you can get something else now and get to work on your projects. What's more important to you? Getting exactly the tool you want, or getting to use a similar tool right away?

It's all old technology. AD conversion hasn't changed much in a long time. Sure there have been improvements, but as @Frank Tuesday pointed out earlier there are plenty of perfectly serviceable units out there that are readily available given your need for track counts (i.e. a minimum of two by the looks of things). Even a first generation Focusrite Scarlett would get you up and running if you need to get something recorded. The interfaces you've listed are sort of high end of the consumer tier and bottom end of the prosumer tier, and there really isn't much sonic/fidelity difference between units at this level. It's only once you get to the professional tier that things get more specifically colored. Everything prosumer and down is a transformer-less signal path geared to be as transparent as possible, typically with around high 50s to low 60s (db) of preamp gain, and any tone color imparted by the unit (SSL 4K button, Focusrite AIR switch, etc.) is nothing more than a selectable EQ preset that gets printed which you could easily replicate non-destructively in any DAW.

If you need to get something recorded, just grab an interface. In 2020 they're all plenty good for that task. In 2010 they were all plenty good for that task!

Thanks guys. I've taken what you said to heart and have been looking. I hate buying stuff twice. If you now of a good source for a good piece of used equipment I'd appreciate it if you would point me to it. If I had the right deal I wouldn't even mind spending a little extra for a "bridge" unit; something to get me going. The thing is that I'd still like to have a bottom end prosumer model, especially that MOTU. I'm looking to see what's out there, but it's pretty slim pickens across this section of interfaces. Hopefully I can come up with something in a few days.

 

[silky smoove]

I hate buying stuff twice.

Same here. That's why both @Frank Tuesday and I mentioned prioritization. Do you need to prioritize a nicer interface when supplies are back to normal, or do you need to prioritize getting some recordings done?

A while back my former interfaces (two Apogee Element 88 units) died on me and I had to bail on a session. I got them up and running again but as a failsafe I purchased a cheap little Presonus Studio 24c in the event that I had another failure with my Apogees. Sure enough that happened again and I hooked up the little Presonus unit and got through the session. The Presonus didn't sound anywhere near as nice as my Apogee units, or my current setup for that matter, but I still have the Presonus unit because my priority was to be a able to get through a session in the event of an interface failure without sending the client home early. You'll have to figure out where your own personal priorities lie and act accordingly. I'm right there with you in not wanting to buy twice though.

The thing is that I'd still like to have a bottom end prosumer model, especially that MOTU.

I can appreciate that for sure. Be sure that the features associated with the higher cost of a prosumer versus consumer level product will actually afford you anything. As I mentioned earlier the 4K and Air features on SSL and Focusrite models in the prosumer tier look cool, but they're just an EQ curve that can be done for free in any DAW and in a non-destructive way that's easier to audition in the mix after the fact. Things to consider are the type of connection to your computer (USB, TB, FW, etc.), input channel count, preamp gain relative to the types of mics and DIs you'll be using, available digital i/o for expanding the system without needing to buy an entirely new interface, and whether or not it will allow direct monitoring as an option. I'd be more concerned with finding an interface that checks all of these boxes than I would trying to find something that's prosumer rather than consumer, which are really just arbitrary designations made by the purchaser and the folks over on the Gearslutz forums anyway

 

[seamonkey]

Motu M2/M4 actually have sold out a few times since introduced even before COVID-19
They're popular

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Here is a MOTU Track 16. The good: MIDI I/O, ADAT expansion, XLR, Line and Instrument inputs, great metering. The bad: it may not handle direct monitoring the way you want, also needs a breakout cable for power and much of the I/O.

All in, a much more flexible unit than the M4.
MOTU Track 16 | Generator LLC | Reverb

 

[vindibona1]

I can appreciate that for sure. Be sure that the features associated with the higher cost of a prosumer versus consumer level product will actually afford you anything. As I mentioned earlier the 4K and Air features on SSL and Focusrite models in the prosumer tier look cool, but they're just an EQ curve that can be done for free in any DAW and in a non-destructive way that's easier to audition in the mix after the fact. Things to consider are the type of connection to your computer (USB, TB, FW, etc.), input channel count, preamp gain relative to the types of mics and DIs you'll be using, available digital i/o for expanding the system without needing to buy an entirely new interface, and whether or not it will allow direct monitoring as an option. I'd be more concerned with finding an interface that checks all of these boxes than I would trying to find something that's prosumer rather than consumer, which are really just arbitrary designations made by the purchaser and the folks over on the Gearslutz forums anyway

I'm going to digress for a moment and share a story that has shaped my buying attitude (mostly). Back in the early 90's I wanted a Ford Explorer. It came down to two models: The Eddie Bauer Signature Model and the standard XL model, with the same color scheme, but missing the signature trim. The price difference was $2000. Being the financially prudent, fiscally responsible person that I am, I went the cheaper route with the XL, though the EB was the one I really wanted. When the first payment came due I did some math and realized that the payments on the EB would have only been $500- only $15/mo more. The difference wouldn't have changed my lifestyle one iota. And I remember to this day, almost 30 years later, reinforced many times this:
"If you get what you really want (and obviously can afford) you'll forget what it cost 30 minutes after you write the check. If you cheap out and compromise, you'll remember that you compromised- forever!" I have two more current ancecotes about "the Mercedes and the Volvo", and a recent drone purchase but I'll spare you for now.

I had already come to the conclusion that you suggested and just get something to get me through the three weeks. If I could find something decently ok for about $50 I might do that and try to beat my Sweetwater rep up for a little more off the M4. Hard to get the dude on the phone these days.

Thanks for your advice SS.

 

[vindibona1]

Motu M2/M4 actually have sold out a few times since introduced even before COVID-19
They're popular

That's why I think I'd like to hold out for one. The one feature that I think would be good for me, especially in the learning stages of recording is to have that headset input blender knob. If I'm only going to buy this thing once, that seems to be an important feature. I think the Native Komplete has that, but is more expensive than the M4 and doesn't seem as highly touted.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Lexicon Lambda Audio Interface | Jon's Room Of Doom | Reverb

$55 to your door. Midi I/O, direct/monitor blend knob, Win 10 64bit drivers, mic and.line inputs. Cheapest on Reverb that has all the features you like about the M4. A solid if unspectacular interface. Get everything up and running and once your M4 arrives, you just move the cables over.

 

[silky smoove]

The one feature that I think would be good for me, especially in the learning stages of recording is to have that headset input blender knob.

That type of blend knob is available on a lot of interfaces, including that little Presonus Studio 24c I mentioned earlier. It won’t teach you much about recording other than what monitoring before or after a converter equates to. You’ll have that knob figured out in about five minutes.

I get it on the MOTU stuff. A 16A converter is the centerpiece of my studio and it’s a big step up, even from the Apogee units I had previously which were also quite nice.

 

[vindibona1]

Lexicon Lambda Audio Interface | Jon's Room Of Doom | Reverb

$55 to your door. Midi I/O, direct/monitor blend knob, Win 10 64bit drivers, mic and.line inputs. Cheapest on Reverb that has all the features you like about the M4. A solid if unspectacular interface. Get everything up and running and once your M4 arrives, you just move the cables over.

Good try Frank. However it's being offered and shipped from Australia. By the time it gets here the M4's will be here or almost here. It seems Australia has a more interfaces available than here, but offered at 30% more plus shipping (or more). Any other suggestions?

 

[40Hz]

This all sort of makes a case for bringing industry back to the US. While this is a naturally caused emergency causing production lines to slow or shut down, I'm afraid that an intentionally manufactured one could happen, more easily now than ever. I blame Richard Nixon.

I don’t.

The bulk of the American manufacturing exodus began in earnest in the late 70s and was largely spearheaded by General Electric’s CEO Jack Welch and several other large US corporations. Nixon was already long out of office. He resigned in August of ‘74. And the so-called diplomatic “opening” of China had little to do with that. It was tge emerging globalization of national economies that did it and was best characterized by Jack Welch’s contention that a company's primary loyalty should be to its shareholders - and not its employees or the national economy as a whole.


As far as worrying about a manufactured economic crisis goes, you don’t have to wait for that to happen.The shortsighted and ultimately counterproductive US tariffs that have been imposed on imported Chinese electronic components (which effectively means all electronic components) have already had a negative impact on many US consumer electronics companies as well as caused supply chain shortages -and- increased the prices US consumers and businesses are now paying for electronics.

Hardly surprising once you understand that:

1. Tariffs are paid for by the parties importing the goods (i.e. US businesses and consumers) and not the people (i.e. the Chinese companies) who are exporting those goods.
2. Tariffs make absolutely no sense if a domestically produced alternative source isn’t available. And when it comes to electronics the US doesn’t have one.
3. Because a tariff is a domestic tax, the only direct beneficiary is the government which imposed the tariff(s). Because that's whose coffers the tariff revenue lands in.
4. Contrary to assertions made by some of the powers that be, trade wars are not “easy to win.” If the mathematics used in modern economics are too difficult to understand, look no further than history books. Trade wars invariably hurt everyone. Always have. Always will.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

Good try Frank. However it's being offered and shipped from Australia.

Oops. Missed that.

 

[vindibona1]

I don’t.

The bulk of the American manufacturing exodus began in earnest in the late 70s and was largely spearheaded by General Electric’s CEO Jack Welch and several other large US corporations. Nixon was already long out of office. He resigned in August of ‘74. And the so-called diplomatic “opening” of China had little to do with that. It was tge emerging globalization of national economies that did it and was best characterized by Jack Welch’s contention that a company's primary loyalty should be to its shareholders - and not its employees or the national economy as a whole.


As far as worrying about a manufactured economic crisis goes, you don’t have to wait for that to happen.The shortsighted and ultimately counterproductive US tariffs that have been imposed on imported Chinese electronic components (which effectively means all electronic components) have already had a negative impact on many US consumer electronics companies as well as caused supply chain shortages -and- increased the prices US consumers and businesses are now paying for electronics.

Hardly surprising once you understand that:

1. Tariffs are paid for by the parties importing the goods (i.e. US businesses and consumers) and not the people (i.e. the Chinese companies) who are exporting those goods.
2. Tariffs make absolutely no sense if a domestically produced alternative source isn’t available. And when it comes to electronics the US doesn’t have one.
3. Because a tariff is a domestic tax, the only direct beneficiary is the government which imposed the tariff(s). Because that's whose coffers the tariff revenue lands in.
4. Contrary to assertions made by some of the powers that be, trade wars are not “easy to win.” If the mathematics used in modern economics are too difficult to understand, look no further than history books. Trade wars invariably hurt everyone. Always have. Always will.

While you cite some correct anectodal evidence, there are a few things that one has to recall. 1) Nixon's delinking of gold and the dollar, which of course meant a change in the role of the Federal Reserve. 2) The promotion of China's "Most Favored Nation" status. 3) The adoption of Keysian economics [personal opinion omitted]. I'm not sure what the catalyst for all that was, but I remember us having rampant inflation and Nixon's weak "WIN" (Whip Inflation Now) program as well as wage/price freezes that were equally ineffective. I also recall in 1982 when I was in the clothing air freight import/export business, started to come from Asia that we has strict import quotas. I had a friend who had a blouse manufacturing business, and when those quotas were raised it put him out of business because his labor costs in North Carolina were far grater than in Asia (Taiwan at the time, I think). And while the US has always been fairly liberal in terms of applying tariffs and allowing the free flow of foreign goods, the same cannot be said of China, Europe and the rest of the world. And this would be incomplete if I didn't mention "dumping", particularly heavy materials such as steel, which devasted an entire industry. Consequently industry after industry closed their plants here. And as we were "educationally updated" to think that we were a "service economy", that was a short lived thing, if not a lie, as our intellectual property was, let's say, "duplicated". I only mentioned Nixon because he was the gateway; the proverbial hole in the dyke that went from a leak, to a flood (I almost got biblical). Of course there were mechanics in the works before Nixon and I'm sure Jack Welch was a great influencer and had the ear of all the big dogs at the time. I remember when Japan was the country to look out for in the 60's when Yamaha, Honda, SONY et al became world giants.

Anyway... I hope we have the where-with-all to have a strategy to bring industry back to the US. It's not just about the economy any more, it's about stability and security... and audio interfaces are merely a microbe in the overall picture. I think this kind of went off the tracks so I'll stop here while the discussion can remain in the category of "history". {Sorry to bore y'all}

 

[40Hz]

.. I hope we have the where-with-all to have a strategy to bring industry back to the US. It's not just about the economy any more, it's about stability and security...

We do.

And as the I Ching teaches: Necessity furthers. It is advisable to have a goal. No blame.

We will weather and adapt to the changes we’re in the midst of. We don’t really have a choice. And I don’t think rolling over and playing dead is something this country’s core psychology is ever going to accept or be able to reconcile itself with. The only question is how much denial and self-pity we’re going to allow ourselves to indulge in before we smarten up.

Real change is almost always born of pain. It’s a three stage process.

Stage one is to accept that you’re hurting and stop rationalizing, guilt tripping, or blaming yourself or other people about it. Because those are all just stalling strategies.

Stage two is to let it hurt really badly until you reach the point of where you say: I absolutely can’t continue to live another minute like this.

Stage three is when you realize - and fully and without reservation accept - that the only way your situation is ever going to change is if you change it.

Once you go through those first two stages and reach the third, change happens almost overnight. Because effecting a major change isn’t the difficult part. Getting yourself psyched up enough to actually do it is where the actual challenge lies.

We, as a nation, aren’t fully out of the first stage yet.

And that’s about everything I’ve got to say on the topic, so I’m going to leave it at that.

 

[vindibona1]

@40Hz Agree completely. While it's true that it's one should look for solutions rather than place blame, sometimes looking for solutions means not making the same mistakes you made before, correcting past mistakes through the prudent study and analysis of history, particularly current history.

And while it's in my signature, it probably is worth emphasizing:
"
Assuming is not knowing. Knowing is NOT Understanding. There is a difference between compassion and wisdom. Compassion cannot supplant wisdom. Wisdom cannot occur without understanding."
Peace- out.

That still doesn't get me an interface any faster!!!