Newer Audio Interfaces...

[hawaiianseadog]

Hi all...

Kind of a "general" topic that has probably been beaten to death, but here goes... I am in the market for a good Audio Interface. And there is an abundance of them. I have been doing a lot of research and have narrowed my search down to 3:

1) Zoom UAC-2 (kind of my top choice right now)
2) Tascam Series 102i
3) Roland Rubix

I am a "dabbler" looking to stay under $500 and hoping to use with my Push2 as well. A few inputs/outputs are all I need, and I am more focused on quality, compatibility, and good easy to set up SW / drivers.

There are all kinds of reasons why all kinds of brands of hardware are great, but what I am looking for in responses is more of a reason why any of these three units were not great experiences for someone who has them (or why they were outstanding?). Or if there is a distinct incompatability that one should be aware of.

Right now, I am somewhat convinced the Zoom is the way to go for its simplicity and quality sound.... But I do like the Tascam too...

Thanks in advance!

HSD

[Tone Deft]

dunno about ANY those, you should bother to post links and pictures if you want feedback.

look at peoples' signatures for what they use.

Focusrite Sapphire series is pretty standard.

don't let anyone talk you into 'sound quality' BS with these devices.

[Richie Witch]

If you're on a Windows rig, be cautious about the Zoom interface.

I picked up one to use on the road and after weeks of messing with it, could not get it to work reliably. All sorts of driver crashes, clicks and pops on anything but the simplest vst patches,, and Live refusing to recognize it half the time. My laptop's sound card literally performed better. I ended up returning it and replacing it with an NI Komplete Audio 6 which worked perfectly. That was two years ago, so maybe the drivers have improved, but if you get one, just make sure there is a good return policy.

[hawaiianseadog]

As requested - links:

Zoom UAC-2:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... -interface

Tascm Series 102i:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... -interface

Roland Rubix 24:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... -interface

I get the impression that these are the "up and coming" new hardware audio interfaces, and I have searched for reviews with Ableton compatibility without much luck. I was hoping people here could tell me things like - yes this works great, or no, this was a complete mess to get working with Ableton... When I searched the Ableton forums, I only got one hit on the Zoom (and it was positive).

Thanks again in advance...

HSD

[Richie Witch]

Yeah, the Zoom UAC-2 was the one I had. It's been out for at least four years now--I was able to find user reviews dating back that far. Of the ones I found, half the users hated it, half loved it--not much in the middle. I also saw some references that the drivers have been updated, so you might be in luck.

Follow this link down the right-hand side and click the "Reviews" section:

https://g.co/kgs/Vix4qs

[lunabass]

I have no experience with those you’ve listed.

Personally I’d recommend either the Focusrite, Native Instruments or Presonus interfaces

[TLW]

If you only need a few inputs and outputs I'd say take a look at the current version of the RME Babyface. RME have an excellent reputation, including supporting older products, and some of the best low-latency drivers in the business. Focusrite seem to slot in as a less expensive alternative with a good reputation, as do MOTU. Some people seem to like the larger Tascam interfaces, often because they're the only "affordable" ones with lots of inputs.

As for "sound quality BS" the figures that matter most are the noise floor and cross-talk and are most important on the input side of things because every input's noise ends up summed into the stereo end product. Lots of interfaces use the same D/A and A/D chips because there are only a few on the market - my RME UFX for example uses the same D/A output convertor as a Presonus interface. The difference in audio quality comes from the supporting electronics and shielding from interference - and I'll admit the law of higher prices versus diminishing returns exists in interfaces just like everything else.

[jlgrimes]

If you only need a few inputs and outputs I'd say take a look at the current version of the RME Babyface. RME have an excellent reputation, including supporting older products, and some of the best low-latency drivers in the business. Focusrite seem to slot in as a less expensive alternative with a good reputation, as do MOTU. Some people seem to like the larger Tascam interfaces, often because they're the only "affordable" ones with lots of inputs.

As for "sound quality BS" the figures that matter most are the noise floor and cross-talk and are most important on the input side of things because every input's noise ends up summed into the stereo end product. Lots of interfaces use the same D/A and A/D chips because there are only a few on the market - my RME UFX for example uses the same D/A output convertor as a Presonus interface. The difference in audio quality comes from the supporting electronics and shielding from interference - and I'll admit the law of higher prices versus diminishing returns exists in interfaces just like everything else.

I can definitely vouch for the 3rd gen Scarletts 18i20.

Probably not the best sound quality (in regards to higher end interfaces) but decent low latency performance on USB, talkback mic, audio loop back and all around decent performance.

Most lower end interfaces definitely has workable sound quality, but I'd guess a step up from a Scarlett, you would probably not be able to tell the difference from one high end interfaces from another but there are other factors such as Mic Pre quality (in particular the ability to use dynamic mics with lots of clean gain), Headphone amp quality etc.

But yeah there can be alot to consider when choosing an audio interface.

I do like how alot of RME interfaces also have USB in addition to Thunderbolt, which can make things alot easier if swapping computers. And from what I heard they supposed to have some of the best USB low latency performance.

[miyaru]

I have a Focusrite 18i20 3rd gen too, bought it recently, and I'm very happy with it. You can buy them here in The Netherlands for € 444,= at this moment.

I found it rocksolid, good supporting software and low latency (64 samples at 44.1 KHz). Expandability is great on this one and it's got a lot of gizmo's right out the box!!!!

[Shift Gorden]

Another +1 for the 18i20. I have a second gen one, but I am extremely happy with it

[Mark Williams]

18i20 2nd gen here too, great interface..

[yur2die4]

I have a 3rd gen 4i4 Scarlett and am very happy with it.

They removed some physical controls from the front. But it is 4 inputs without an extra power supply, which is a rarity. Pretty damn new. And reliable. I also love that it is deluxe enough that it includes midi in and out ports. So it meets all my needs in a compact unit, for a great price.

I think the things that Presonus and Steinberg have going for them though is extra daw software in their bundles, if you’re into that. Steinberg sometimes has a version of Cubasis for the iPad.

[hawaiianseadog]

Bump

- I have waited 6 months to see if anything new materialized. And now I am getting antsy to pull the trigger. I think I am tending towards the Tascam.

Any new information out there (or new opinions)...?

(I know, I know - just get off the pot and do it!!!)

BTW - Thanks all for the previous comments.