Usability & quality of Push 3 Audio interface

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gnc27
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:31 am

Usability & quality of Push 3 Audio interface

Post by gnc27 » Thu Jul 06, 2023 10:09 am

Been on the waiting list for a controller-only version since late May (it's now saying 4-6 weeks), and I'm considering using the Push 3 to replace my cheap-ish Focusrite audio interface, which I've never been very keen on.

Wondering if many people are choosing to use their P3 to replace an audio interface, and how it fares regarding workflow and keeping the buffer size low? In time I'll probably get a used ADAT expansion with decent mic preamps.

Thinking the Push 3's cost becomes much more justifiable if I can avoid getting an expensive audio interface down the line.

mayabong
Posts: 118
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 4:52 pm

Re: Usability & quality of Push 3 Audio interface

Post by mayabong » Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:36 am

The preamps are pretty weak tbh. I have it on high to record my piano with a sm57 and the signal hardly registers.

Audivit
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu May 25, 2023 6:53 am

Re: Usability & quality of Push 3 Audio interface

Post by Audivit » Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:00 pm

The preamps are decent enough to get the job done for sketching ideas, I would not rely on them for studio work though.

Thanks god they added ADAT!

About round-trip latency, from the tests I've seen posted on this forum I was expecting better numbers given the custom Linux OS, however I must admit that working at 48kHz at 128 samples I cannot detect any notable latency when using 'External Instrument' and my guitar, but I do (albeit slightly) when monitoring the input from an audio track..

gnc27
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:31 am

Re: Usability & quality of Push 3 Audio interface

Post by gnc27 » Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:19 pm

Yeah ADAT was a good move for sure!

Compared to the mid-level Focusrite I have (an old Clarett which also has ADAT in), are there likely to be advantages/disadvantages to using the Push 3 interface, when using it only on controller mode?

Thinking direct monitoring might be something missing on the Push 3, but I can live with that. If I could use a smaller buffer size than with the Clarett, that'd be great.

Audivit
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu May 25, 2023 6:53 am

Re: Usability & quality of Push 3 Audio interface

Post by Audivit » Fri Jul 07, 2023 10:57 pm

Yes I have a Clarett 8 Pre interface (the red ones) and I can assure you those are top notch audio interfaces, you'll not be getting even close to the quality of Clarett with the Push 3 built in interface, both for preamps and conversion.

gnc27
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:31 am

Re: Usability & quality of Push 3 Audio interface

Post by gnc27 » Sat Jul 08, 2023 1:47 pm

Yeah mine's a 2Pre model.. no complaints about how the preamps sound, though for some mics I find them a bit lacking in gain.

But I need more than two inputs anyway, so if I go with ADAT, the preamps and conversion would be external to either the Focusrite or the Push 3 audio interface... if the Push 3 with ADAT is as good or better to work with than the Focusrite with ADAT, then great - I'll sell the Focusrite.

The other option not to bother with ADAT, just to continue with the Focusrite 2Pre until I can get an interface with more integrated preamps. More expensive in the long run, but could be more straightforward/better.

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