Best compact audio interface?

[Mister36]

Has anyone tried or got any experience with the following (or any other interface that would all into the same or a similar bracket):

Numark Stereo iO
Cakewalk UA-1G
Edirol UA-1EX
Citronic AC-1
American Audio Genie Pro
Behringer UCA-202/222

Thanks.

[esemdi]

I'm using the Behringer UCA-222. I don't know what to say about it in comparison to other interfaces, I got it with a MIDI controller a couple of months ago.
Before I got it I was using an onboard thingie (I'm not sure you can call it an interface). Anyway, it does its job pretty good, especially since you get it for free when you buy their controllers, monitors, bla bla...

[locojohn]

ESI Quatafire - very reliable, solid drivers, powerful amplification, bus-powered, cheap on ebay, if available.

Andrejs

[Mister36]

Thanks for your input.

I should have specified USB really, as I don't have a Firewire port.

And the ESI is actually less compact than I was looking for. I'm looking for particularly small.

Despite the Behringer name as well as it being Behringer audio too, I might have to give the UCA-222 a chance. I've just tried the Numark Stereo iO and the sound quality and latency was appalling.

[pulsoc]

Have you looked at the NI Audio Kontrol? Costs a little more, but you get limited controller action, room to expand your input/output options, and a bunch of free software including a free NI synth.

[Mister36]

I have indeed looked at the Audio Kontrol 1 but it seems a bit overkill for what I want. I just want no frills really. Although I'm not necessariy expecting to find it, just hoping.

Also, that one along with many of them are, despite being fairly small, a bit too big still.

[lapieuvre]

What about the Indigo IO from echo?

Echo has very good converters

Else I'd go for the Cakewalk.

[Mister36]

What about the Indigo IO from echo?

Echo has very good converters

Else I'd go for the Cakewalk.

I'd not heard of that one but I've just Googled it and there's good reason. I don't have a PCMCIA card slot, so haven't been looking at them. Looking for USB ones.

And yes, I think the Cakewalk might be the best bet so far. I'll have to give it a try to see though. I thought the Numark might have done the trick but no. Rubbish.

[VC]

very happy with this one: http://www.esi-audio.com/products/ugm96/

[Mister36]

very happy with this one: http://www.esi-audio.com/products/ugm96/

Thanks for the recommendation.

How does it deal with using both inputs and outputs as stereo pairs instead of separate mono inputs? Just as expected? And does the interface show up in Live as 1(mono) 2(mono) and 1+2 (stereo)?

I assume it would but just because of how it's marketed, I thought I'd ask.

On closer inspection, the outputs are not two mono, are they? But two stereo. I assume they cannot be separated within Live though and they both just output the same signal?

[VC]

Outputs are both the same signal, inputs can be 2 mono or 1 stereo in Live.
It's a very good piece if the specs are enough for you. Very durable since it's so small and light and has aluminium enclosure. Also quite cheap, got mine less than 90€.
I get good quality recordings with it and it's quite good with latency.

[Mister36]

Outputs are both the same signal, inputs can be 2 mono or 1 stereo in Live.
It's a very good piece if the specs are enough for you. Very durable since it's so small and light and has aluminium enclosure. Also quite cheap, got mine less than 90€.
I get good quality recordings with it and it's quite good with latency.

Thanks for this. Much appreciated. Is it 16 bit? I don't think it said on that page. There's the other one they do too that is undoubtedly very similar but with subtle differences, the U24 XL, which might be more suited to the EFX500 I want to integrate with Live.

Maybe I should have also said this before. The reason I'm looking for one is for an additional stereo in and stereo out to add to my Rig Kontrol that I use as my main interface. I need the extra IO to integrate a Pioneer EFX 500 with Live using the External Audio Effect device.]

These ESI ones look like they could do the trick. Though I did think that about the Numark... Trying is finding out.

[VC]

I don't think you can use multiple audio interfaces with live.

[djphenaproxima]

If you're on a Mac, I personally LOVE the Apogee Duet. It's simple, pretty limited in functionality (no MIDI or anything like that), but boy does it sound pristine. Worth the price.

[vjfranzk]

You're right, I just noticed there isn't one on my new Macbook?
I guess they now assume we will use USB 2 or FireWire

Never did actually find a use for the card slot on my PowerBook. oh well

What about the Indigo IO from echo?
I'd not heard of that one but I've just Googled it and there's good reason. I don't have a PCMCIA card slot, so haven't been looking at them. Looking for USB ones.