Tiny, fast audio interfaces - any news & recommendations?

[Plattfeste]

Hi, just replaced my 2006 MBP with a 11" MBAir, which means that I have to replace the Echo Indigo IOx soundcard as well.
Any recommendations for a really small, fast audio interface for gigging? I'm sure there are some exotic ones I haven't heard of yet.

Here's what features I'm looking for:
- as small as possible
- as low latency as possible (have to use software monitoring, so USB2.0 is probably a must)
- 1 line input (mono or stereo)
- 1 stereo line output
- Midi would be great (with the APC40 there's only one USB port left)

And some examples with a great form factor: Echo Audiofire 2, ESI UGM96, Miditech Guitarface II, NI Audio 2. The smaller & the less cables/adapters, the better

Thanks a lot for all your ideas!

[joshrrr]

hey dude,

i've found the edirol UA25-ex to be a absolute treat, might be what you're looking for. very small and basic, but a good solid workhouse. It's a few years old now, and they may have updated it, but if what you need is quite basic, it's perfect. USB powered, basically 0 latency (depending on your laptop, obviously) and has never let me down before.

I'm thinking about upgrading to the AKAI EIE pro now, at least for home studio use.

Josh

[Plattfeste]

hey dude,

i've found the edirol UA25-ex to be a absolute treat, might be what you're looking for. very small and basic, but a good solid workhouse. It's a few years old now, and they may have updated it, but if what you need is quite basic, it's perfect. USB powered, basically 0 latency (depending on your laptop, obviously) and has never let me down before.

I'm thinking about upgrading to the AKAI EIE pro now, at least for home studio use.

Josh

Right, I forgot Roland! Will check the UA25-ex out, and it seems there's a newer one too, the Quad-Capture. Too bad the smallest one (Duo-Capture) doesn't have Midi, that would have been perfect..
Thanks!

[joshrrr]

hm, i suppose most MIDI devices these days have USB options as well, i don't think i ever used the midi ports on my UA EX 25. I suppose it depends what you're using. I had a NI audio 2, once, and it didn't have the outputs I wanted at the time, i can't remember why... check the outputs to make sure they've got what you need!

[Plattfeste]

Yeah I know, I'm still using my 10 year old Nord Lead 2 on stage... thought about replacing it with a newer synth that comes with USB audio & Midi. Like the Roland Gaia.
Or going software only, with a controller keyboard instead. But I love having a real synth :/

[twisted-space]

RME Babyface

[Plattfeste]

RME Babyface

I'm sure it's the best. But it's overkill, in every respect: 10x more connections than I need, a bit big, has this unwieldy breakout cable, costs 550€...

Man I wish Apple hadn't killed Firewire. Thunderbolt will never become a proper replacement, because we'll only see huge high-end interfaces with millions of ADAT channels and whatnot. What's wrong with small AND great? Echo Audiofire 2 would have been the perfect interface for my needs (well, if it's drivers are fast, that is - at least on my old 2006 machine, they weren't).

[rikhyray]

I really liked the new Echo USB Audiofire 2 and 4 replacement, they showed the Echo2 @ Frankfurt Messe , supposed to be in shops in May, and 4 in summer but have not heard anything since. The smaller, Echo2 looked even smaller then Babyface, no knobs all touch controls. Apparently Echoaudio take their time or have some problems.

[kitekrazy]

RME Babyface

I'm sure it's the best. But it's overkill, in every respect: 10x more connections than I need, a bit big, has this unwieldy breakout cable, costs 550€...

Man I wish Apple hadn't killed Firewire. Thunderbolt will never become a proper replacement, because we'll only see huge high-end interfaces with millions of ADAT channels and whatnot. What's wrong with small AND great? Echo Audiofire 2 would have been the perfect interface for my needs (well, if it's drivers are fast, that is - at least on my old 2006 machine, they weren't).

That's also hurt PC users who prefer a FW interface.

[Punky921]

RME Babyface

I'm sure it's the best. But it's overkill, in every respect: 10x more connections than I need, a bit big, has this unwieldy breakout cable, costs 550€...

Man I wish Apple hadn't killed Firewire. Thunderbolt will never become a proper replacement, because we'll only see huge high-end interfaces with millions of ADAT channels and whatnot. What's wrong with small AND great? Echo Audiofire 2 would have been the perfect interface for my needs (well, if it's drivers are fast, that is - at least on my old 2006 machine, they weren't).

That's also hurt PC users who prefer a FW interface.

There's always USB.

[Plattfeste]

There's always USB.

Yeah, USB. No matter how fast your 2012 computer, you still struggle to play a synth through software monitoring without an inacceptable latency. Most of the small interfaces are still being made with USB1, and even the USB2 ones are often much worse than they should theoretically be.

[Plattfeste]

I really liked the new Echo USB Audiofire 2 and 4 replacement, they showed the Echo2 @ Frankfurt Messe , supposed to be in shops in May, and 4 in summer but have not heard anything since. The smaller, Echo2 looked even smaller then Babyface, no knobs all touch controls. Apparently Echoaudio take their time or have some problems.

Interesting news! Had not heard about these, what were they going to be? FW or USB? Cause with MBA, it has to be USB for me :/

[Punky921]

There's always USB.

Yeah, USB. No matter how fast your 2012 computer, you still struggle to play a synth through software monitoring without an inacceptable latency. Most of the small interfaces are still being made with USB1, and even the USB2 ones are often much worse than they should theoretically be.

Hmm. Interesting. I'm not a piano player so I can't speak to that personally. But from what I know about RME interfaces, even the Babyface, the latency is insanely, absurdly low. And it's USB.

[Plattfeste]

There's always USB.

Yeah, USB. No matter how fast your 2012 computer, you still struggle to play a synth through software monitoring without an inacceptable latency. Most of the small interfaces are still being made with USB1, and even the USB2 ones are often much worse than they should theoretically be.

Hmm. Interesting. I'm not a piano player so I can't speak to that personally. But from what I know about RME interfaces, even the Babyface, the latency is insanely, absurdly low. And it's USB.

You're right, RME seems to be the one exception, who make sensationally great drivers. Unfortunately the Babyface is way "bigger" than what I'd need :/ 1 In, 2 Out, fast, Midi if possible.

[rikhyray]

I really liked the new Echo USB Audiofire 2 and 4 replacement, they showed the Echo2 @ Frankfurt Messe , supposed to be in shops in May, and 4 in summer but have not heard anything since. The smaller, Echo2 looked even smaller then Babyface, no knobs all touch controls. Apparently Echoaudio take their time or have some problems.

Interesting news! Had not heard about these, what were they going to be? FW or USB? Cause with MBA, it has to be USB for me :/

USB as I said, they will replace Audiofire 2 and 4. i am forgetting to call and find out what happened. I absolutely loved the size, bit more then cigarette pack, still with phantom power,XLRs etc (of course with that detachable cable). I want to replace Presonus mobile ( not bad max inputs in that size, but will never get Presonus again- ugly and bit shitty). I wanted to get Babyface but this new Echo/s might suit me better (smaller, lighter)