Which USB audio device?

[spacebag]

Hi, I'm looking for a simple portable USB audio interface with good driver, low latency and low CPU load (for Windows Notebook).
I don't need any advanced features like multichannel, digital IO.

I was thinking of one of these:
- TERRATEC PHASE 26 USB SE (EUR 99)
http://www.thomann.de/gb/terratec_phase_26_usb_se.htm
- ESI U46 XL (EUR 129)
http://www.thomann.de/gb/esi_u46_xl.htm

A thomann.de guy told me, the best choice probably is this one (because of the excellent ASIO2 driver):
- M-AUDIO FAST TRACK PRO (EUR 179. of course the most expensive)
http://www.thomann.de/gb/maudio_fast_track_pro.htm

Any advices, experiences?

[HiEnergy]

I like my Phase 26. It's rather cheap, bus powered and sturdy like a tank.
Unfortunately I did not yet get it set up for multiple outputs for cueing or quadrophony experiments
Maybe someone can help me there.

Otherwise it works fine and does what I need. Even SP/DIF so I can record my sessions on the fly using a field recorder.

[leedsquietman]

The Fast Track Pro is not as good as the Fast Track Ultra, it's pres are not great, it's headphone amp has been criticised and the build quality is not exactly stellar. And the latency in the Fast Track Pro was never anywhere in the league of RME or others.

The Edirol UA-25EX (189 euros) or Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 (245 euros) are probably the best interfaces in the budget end price range. Depending on how much I/O you need, but definately in terms of reasonable low latency drivers these 2 are decent.

[spacebag]

HiEnergy, the Phase 26 doesn't seem to have ASIO driver, right? How's the latency with MIDI Keyboard and Live?

leedsquietman, good USB audio device are still that expensive?! I'll take the Edirol UA-25EX into account. Thanks for your advice.

[spacebag]

I've read some reviews on the NI Audio Kontrol 1. I gonna buy the NI AK1 (oh my wallet!). Low latency, good audio quality and nice software package. One downside: it misses digital IO, but I don't really need them. Thanks again.

[HiEnergy]

HiEnergy, the Phase 26 doesn't seem to have ASIO driver, right? How's the latency with MIDI Keyboard and Live?

The Phase 26 has an ASIO driver. There's even a switch on the front panel for turning ASIO on and off. It's the button to the right of the "COAX OUT" SP/DIF connector.



I did not yet use its MIDI features so cannot make any statement on latency between MIDI and audio here.
System latency is similar to what I had before when using a Virus TI as my audio interface. Seems as if even the USB drivers are similar. At least the UI of the configuration panel looks the same.
I did not yet regret my purchase of a Phase 26.

[Blurr]

Check out the new FireFace UC from RME - a bit pricer but worth it.

http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_uc.php

[leedsquietman]

Does the Terratec have an XLR or XLR/combi jack and phantom power ? This is required for condenser microphones, unless you have a seperate preamp with phantom power. The Native Instruments Audio Kontrol has a very nice XLR pre with phantom power, ditto the Edirol (2x XLR).