Ableton Forum

Hi all, first post:

I am looking to buy a soundcard that will stick with my 21.5 iMac for some time (currently have an ESI Duafire). I am starting a home studio: I don't yet have monitor speakers, I mostly use headphones. (It could be great to be able to connect two headphones occasionally.)

I want: 24bit / 192kHz
Good DAC's
HardWare mixer could be a plus (everyone offers something, so...).

DONT need: Many IN's and OUT's.
Mic Pre's.
Dont use HardWare Synths.
Dont use External Effects.
Dont need exceptionally low latency.

Looking for a piece of gear that I will get a lot of milleage out of. My shortlist is:

TC Electronics Impact Twin
MOTU Ultralite mkIII Hybrid
RME Babyface

What do you suggest?

i have a TC Electronic Konnekt 6 and really like it. i've been eyeballing the Impact Twin since i first laid eyes on it. i have seen a couple of posters say some really good things about it since then as well.

the Baby Face looks nice but the price does not. at least not when you look at features. 800 + bones is a lot of money for what amounts to a multiport adapter with an RME label on it.

dunno about the MOTU.

welcome to the forum. these threads have been done to death so you may want to do a search to get arguments/opinions on other interfaces.

Thanks for your reply, H2Only!

I think the Babyface is around 500, not 800.. These cards can be had for 400 - 550 Euros.

That's the essence of the question, really: am I going to get a much clearer sound out of the RME for just 100-150 Euros more, or I should go for the extras of the other cards (DSP, compressors, zero-latency monitoring etc, just in case I use them later)?

ah well rate of exchange and all... i was talking dollars.

how much "clearer" is an entry level RME product over a TC Electronic or MOTU product that is intended to give you more features??

unless you're planning on recording vocals or instruments with it, all the sounds exist within your computer. you are mixing and arranging them. so your argument in that case would be a lot like saying you need to change all the speakers in your car to listen to a CD "better" - the music on the CD remains the same regardless.

even if you are planning on recording vocals or instruments you've listed better quality gear (in general) in your 3 choices, but if vocals and instruments are the deciding factor then i still am not necessarily convinced that what could be RME's flimsiest product is the way to go. a lot of times these threads are someone trying to decide whether to get an M-Audio Fast Track or some other piece of equipment that will do the job, but the quality argument comes into play. i think you're starting your hunt in the respectable sweet spot where quality and affordability have begun meshing together and the lines are not so clear. maybe you should think about how your desk or workspace will handle each of the interfaces you've listed.

if you've listed the RME simply because it's RME... then i personally think you should put the money to the side and save up just a little longer... then buy an RME product that does not use the word "baby" in the naming convention or product description... in my eyes this model is a secondary interface not a primary, but that's just my opinion and opinions are both free and biased on the interwebz.

Well, you are right, I 'm not going to record vocals or instruments, and the only quality requirement I will have for the interface is the DAC... So, as regards the Babyface, the thinking is: am I getting the output stage of a Fireface at a much better price? If not, then I should definitely save some much needed cash and get a more feature packed device...

TC Impact - excellent audio quality @ reasonable price, their weakness-everything else,specially driver-poor latency, and it is bulky for no reason. Motu is not the same as years back as far as quality is concerned. RME- seems likes it has exactly what you want/need with the best latency, build quality and the best of RME- you buy it, you use it, forget the rest. No waiting for bug fix updates, hanging on fora to find solutions, Emailing supports, sending back, waiting for return and all the bullshit that you get free with most of other, specially budget brands.
Edit:If you need something simple now and spend more later get Konnekt 6, the most underestimated audio product I know. The sound quality beats lots of products at twice, thrice the price.

Thanks for the reply, rikhyray! I didn't quite understand your initial line on tc electronics:

"TC Impact - excellent audio quality @ reasonable price, their weakness-everything else,specially driver-poor latency,... "

So, if I understand correctly, they are having driver issues and require bigger latency to function properly, correct?


Also, your comments on RME stability and hassle-free operation go for the Babyface specifically, or RME products in general?

Thanks again!

like rikhyray says in his post; the Konnekt 6 is pretty nice. i have one so i'm especially biased but i have not had a single driver issue with it. the latency is low... i doubt the Impact Twin's latency will be any higher, but i am uncertain about the drivers. it's not a new product though so i suspect you'll find that there are few issues that have not been addressed.

you might get better lantency on an RME device... but i don't know if the babyface is the one... AND... again... if you're mixing material that is already part of your program (Live instrument) or inside your computer (samples, files, etc.)... i.e. not recording then lantency is not an issue. i am certain that you will be able to get low enough latency with the TC Elecronic or MOTU product that when you hit a drum pad you'll hear thump right away. none of the interfaces you've listed here should give you latency issues... after latency is no longer audible, it ceases to be an issue.

I had few TC cards 2 or more years back, that time it was really bad on both PC and OSX, they just couldn't get it together, great that they have finally managed it.
Babyface is as good as any other RME in all the aspects and as its bigger USB brother you can get the lowest latency I know about (on OSX). I still need more inputs for stage but once I reduce/optimize my setup will get Babyface (despite silly name)

For the money ($199?) right now the NI Komplete Audio 6 is a steal. Great sound, beautiful sturdy build, portable, imho near-perfect feature set for a unit of this size plus NI stuff thrown in.

I have the Impact Twin more than a year now
and really really like it.
Yes there were a stabilty problem at the beginning mentioned lots of times
but since they updated the drivers back than i'm running mine on a mac Mini and a Macbook
and it's rock solid.
Since September i also use for deejaying with traktor and it works great.
A friend of mine running it on PC since 3 Month now without a single issue.
Check it out,in that price range unbeatable!

Go for the RME. I am on RME and the quality is really high level. Can recommend these products although they are pricey.
I would not go for a NI soundcard as others recommended. The quality is not that high as praised.

I would like to thank everyone for their input to my question, I have decided to go for the Konnekt 6 and postpone a bolder move for later:

the Konnekt 6 can be bought for 190 Euros in Europe, whereas the Impact Twin goes for _twice_ as much and the RME's start at _three_ times as much.

Also, the Konnekt 6 enjoys pretty good recommendations for sound quality at the lower price ranges. Since I don't even have a pair of decent monitors, I'd better save up...!!!

Thanks everyone!

IF you dont get the babyface now, later you will want to upgrade again.

If you have the money get it, they are great cards.

i think you'll be happy with your decision, but get some good monitors (and place them correctly). you'll thank yourself in the long run and so will your mixes.