Best Audio Interface

[modulus10]

All -

I'm trying to decide which audio interface to use with my abelton - my only requirements are:

8 mic pre-amps
4 outs (2 sets of stereo)

the reason for this configuration is that i have 8 instruments/mic inputs, and want to be able to have a "house" mix for my pa, as well as a "monitor" mix for my in-ears

What is everyone using?

Things I have looked at:

Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
http://focusrite.com/products/firewire_ ... re_pro_40/

Focusrite Saffire Pro 26
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Focusrite-S ... 1173275.gc

MOTU 8Pre

M-AUdo
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/ProFire2626.html

anyone using anything like these? any input on functionality and compatibility with Abelton8?

[andi_gitarre]

i've got the saffire pro 40 and its really awesome. the sound is outstanding in this price range. alsothe motu isnt bad at all. nice but different sound if you compare both. but you get mor for your money if you pick the pro40.

the only thing i can critizise on the pro 40 is the complicated mixer (actually i was too lazy right now to get a deeper knowledge with this thing).

good luck!

[AudioRuso]

I am not familiar with those three sound cards... BUT

I am very very very happy with my Fast Track Ultra by M-Audio. It is a super well laid out card and I haven't had too many issues with it at all...

They have a newer model which has 8 mic preamps:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/F ... tra8R.html

[redok]

Be sure to check out the Presonus intefaces

[redok]

Be sure to check out the Presonus intefaces

[dru]

http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail ... roductId=3

Or the FireStudio for even more ins/outs.

[andi_gitarre]

i have a presonus interface as well and they pretty good too! but you get better quality and more features at focusrite in the same price range. i can higly recommand the focusrite plugins. they are really usefull.
you should not take the pro 26. its out of date and actually no longer available. the pro40 is the official replacement.

[Ed J]

I have a pro40, and having used both it and some (near-)comparable M-Audio products, I reckon the focusrite is the way forward. (I had issues with both the m-box that I had [that was a while ago though] and a ProjectMix when using ableton, some driver incompatibilities that they couldn't solve.)

Although, agreed, the mixer is a little complicated to get your head round, but when you do it's actually very useful!

[wehkah]

I have a M-Audio Fast Track PRO and im really happy. Its an really good interface with uptodate drivers and a lot of features.

cheers
T

[michaellpenman]

no on the saffire i have one and they fuck up and they dont sound great.

I would spent that little bit more and get apogee ensemble.

[zalo]

no on the saffire i have one and they fuck up and they dont sound great.

I would spent that little bit more and get apogee ensemble.

id hardly consider the apogee to be just a little bit more

its 4 times the cost!!!!!!!

[chapelier fou]

I am not really happy with the presonus FP 10 drivers on Vista 32. I must have higherlatency than in XP.
Also, no software mixer ! ( i.e. for routing into the headphones)

[neslo1963]

We can also recomende the saffire pro 40 - I is very efficient.