Best Audio Interface for Hi Tech Gear

[Adashi]

Hi,

I need an audio interface, or mixing desk solution, specifically for dance Music applications, so I'm focusing on inputs for Keyboards, sound modules, Drum Machines, etc...

I've noticed alot of audio interfaces are very spartan when it comes to basic jack inputs and tend to focus more on outputs which I don't need. I'm not interested in the XLR guitar inputs as I won't be using this type of gear. I need at least 8 stereo in's that are all available as separate audio streams in Ableton Live 9. Whether this be an audio interface or some kind of mixing desk/audio interface is not an issue. I'm using Windows 7, 64 bit and i've heard the Motu drivers are less than perfect on PC. I'm thinking of adding a sound module or two in the future so extra inputs would be ideal.

I've heard that firewire is a dying format, and that USB 3.0 is not perfect under windows 7, so a USB 2.0, Thunderbolt or PCI/PCIe seems the logical choice

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Here's what i'm currently using:

Ableton Live 9
Windows 7 64 Bit
Focusrite Saffire 6 USB
Ableton Push
Roland TR-8 & TB-3
Access Virus TI2 Desktop

Thanks in advance

[8ball]

http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/ice-16/
-16 analogue Inputs, 16 analogue Outputs
-Front USB socket for easy capture to USB storage devices
-Hybrid FireWire (IEE1394) / USB 2.0 16×16 audio interface
-Industry standard wav file format
-Up to 6 hours of 16 channel audio on a 32GB USB stick
-Signal Present and Peak LED metering on each channel
-Mono headphone bus for Input or Output monitoring
-Daisy chain multiple units over FireWire
-Sync two units for recording or playback beyond 16 tracks
-Familiar transport buttons and intuitive control

[jestermgee]

Have a look at some of the Presonus firewire mixing desks. I/O a plenty.

[Adashi]

http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/ice-16/
-16 analogue Inputs, 16 analogue Outputs
-Front USB socket for easy capture to USB storage devices
-Hybrid FireWire (IEE1394) / USB 2.0 16×16 audio interface
-Industry standard wav file format
-Up to 6 hours of 16 channel audio on a 32GB USB stick
-Signal Present and Peak LED metering on each channel
-Mono headphone bus for Input or Output monitoring
-Daisy chain multiple units over FireWire
-Sync two units for recording or playback beyond 16 tracks
-Familiar transport buttons and intuitive control

This would be perfect aside from the fact it doesn't have Midi in/out

[Adashi]

Have a look at some of the Presonus firewire mixing desks. I/O a plenty.

The Presonus Studiolive 16.0.2 Digital Mixing Desk looks very good for my needs.. Thanks.

http://www.presonus.com/products/StudioLive-16.0.2

[jestermgee]

Yeah I have to keep telling myself I do NOT need one of those because for my needs it would be wasted but they are very appealing interfaces and my old Firebox has been so reliable for the last decade.

Wouldn't worry too much about Firewire being an old outdated format just yet either since it is still widely used and easy to add to most machines through expansion cards anyway.

[jimfowler]

i can personally recommend (having used for years) echo audiofire 12. no frills, 12 balanced 1/4" i/o, midi i/o. works great on my macbook, not sure about pc.

my friend who runs a studio here in nyc swears by his lynx aurora. again, lots of i/o. also lots of dollars.

[clydesdale]

How about an RME UFX with some ADAT input expansion like an ADA8000 or OctoPre MkII?