Recommend me an external audio interface

Geezus · Post by **Geezus** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:54 am

I've just been through about 3 interfaces and had to get rid of them all for various reasons. I'm having a hard time trying to decide on a new one, so please give me some recommendations. Here's what I've had and why i had to get rid of it:

Audiophile USB: No phantom inputs, crappy sound
MBox 2: Shitty drivers caused things to crash, windows WDM drivers didnt work at all, software input monitoring latency too high
EMU 0404 USB: This was the closest to perfect I ever got, but for some reason it would have horrible audio dropouts after 10-20 minutes of use caused by bizarre CPU spikes. I tried everything to make it stable but it was the EMU drivers and there isnt anything I could do about it. But the sound was awesome, the input monitoring latency was super fast, and it was cheap.

So what do I want? I want something that sounds really good, has low latency, has all the basic inputs/outputs, and costs less than $350. I only have USB 2 on my system, I suppose I can get a firewire pcmcia card but I hear those cause problems with firewire interfaces. I'm open to it though.

Please help this is doing my head in.

hereschenes · Post by **hereschenes** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:01 am

Focusrite Saffire is what I'm running.

http://www.focusrite.com/products/saffire/saffire/

I did have to add a PCI Firewire card, but it didn't cause me any hassles. Running with it on XP since Live 5.2, Core Duo 2 E6300, with overall latency at around 10ms I don't ever experience glitches.

thecoloursound · Post by **thecoloursound** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:16 am

not sure what system you are running, but i've had a good experience with the tascam us-144L ... i know some people have had problems, and the construction (i.e. the dials, not the housing) isn't that great. however, it works every time i plug it in the same way, and it never gets 'tired'. what i will say is that i use it on a laptop, and the latency isn't that great (i use a direct monitoring setup because the 'echo' would drive me nuts). just trying to give a balanced review ... i'm sure it would provide much better performance on a desktop.

Geezus · Post by **Geezus** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:03 am

I'm running an hp nc6400 core duo 2.0 ghz, 2 g ram on windows xp pro

hereschenes · Post by **hereschenes** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:16 am

Geezus wrote:I'm running an hp nc6400 core duo 2.0 ghz, 2 g ram on windows xp pro

Pretty much identical to my spec. I'm on Live 7 now btw.

Moody · Post by **Moody** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:24 am

Several people have said good things about the NI Audio Kontrol which is USB2.0 and M-audio has a new USB2.0 Fast track. Some decent choices there... if you get lucky one may find a MOTU828MK2 USB2.0 for a little more then your current budget.

Geezus · Post by **Geezus** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:40 am

I'm test driving a presonus firebox with a cheap $9 HP pcmcia firewire adapter from frys and I gotta say, I'm in love with this fucker. Baby, please dont let me down like my last fling, the 0404. Oh why did you forsake me, you selfish bitch?

Whatever, my new ho is shinier than you...and I dig them petite bodies. So put that in your fuckhole and cum on it.

dru · Post by **dru** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:15 pm

+1 for the Firebox. Fucking awesome.

thecoloursound · Post by **thecoloursound** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:47 pm

does anyone have any thoughts on the presonus v the tascam? the presonus obviously costs a bit more ($100) and is a firewire interface (i am on a pc laptop, so i think i have to go USB), but i'm more curious as to why people love it so much.

Moody · Post by **Moody** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:21 pm

Geezus wrote:I'm test driving a presonus firebox with a cheap $9 HP pcmcia firewire adapter from frys and I gotta say, I'm in love with this fucker. Baby, please dont let me down like my last fling, the 0404. Oh why did you forsake me, you selfish bitch?

Whatever, my new ho is shinier than you...and I dig them petite bodies. So put that in your fuckhole and cum on it.

I used that PCMCIA card with my 828MK2 and it worked flawlessly. Nice piece of gear for the price.