Selecting an Audio Interface

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Level 1

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Selecting an Audio Interface

Hi,

I recently purchased Logic Pro 9 on my 2011 13" Macbook Pro, and am in need of a new audio interface. I am using it to record with my band (using synthetic drums so I am usually recording one track at a time). We used to use Sonar Home Studio with an Alesis Multimix 8 USB 2.0, but felt we needed something with more power and options so we switched to Logic. Also, we had some problems with the Alesis with quality among other things. I need an audio interface that will give me good sound quality with at lease one XLR input, a guitar input, a MIDI input and an output or two, one of which that can be used for headphones while tracking vocals and such. I don't have a set price range but I do want something that will give us good audio quality and something that will work well with logic.

Any help and suggestions are much appreciated and please let me know if there is any more information you need from me.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011)

Posted on Mar 12, 2012 6:54 PM

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Answer 1

Brazeca

Level 3

715 points

Mar 12, 2012 7:28 PM in response to guster4598

Have a look at MOTU interfaces: UltraLite mk 3, for instance.

If you want something better (and more expensive), check out RME Fireface 400 or 800.

Both MOTU and RME devices work well with Logic, or any other DAW.

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Answer 2

guster4598 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 12, 2012 7:49 PM in response to Brazeca

I've also been looking at some things on my own as I would like to stay lower in the price range while still maintaining solid quality if possible. Any thoughts on any of these? Thanks

Presonus AudioBox 22VSL

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB

Focusrite Saffire Pro 14

Avid Fast Track C400

M-Audio Fast Track Pro

Echo Audiofire 4

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Answer 3

Brazeca

Level 3

715 points

Mar 12, 2012 8:04 PM in response to guster4598

I can only give feedback on Echo Audiofire, because I had it before. It's not a bad one, but it developed issues with MIDI port later on. Can't say anything about other brands, never used their devices.

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Answer 4

Mar 13, 2012 4:25 PM in response to guster4598

Presonus makes good quality equipment and they're always wheeling & dealing with various music retailers (ie Sweetwater, Musicians Friend) to offer package deals with, say, an audio interface + heavy discount on Studio One Pro which is their relatively new DAW (btw, it is a nice app and has defaulted to my secondary after Logic).

I'd avoid M-Audio. I once owned their 2496 card which was worth every penny I paid: $15 + a six pack of Sam Adams to a friend moving out of state.

Can't really go wrong with Focusrite hardware but someone needs to get their plug-in developers to step up.

Good luck. 🙂

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Answer 5

guster4598 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 13, 2012 7:12 PM in response to TheUncannyValley

Does anyone have any insight on Tascam products? I was looking at the Tascam US-200 and that seemed like another interface that could suit my needs but I don't know much about it or peoples' experiences with them.

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Answer 6

Pancenter

Level 6

14,788 points

Mar 13, 2012 7:42 PM in response to guster4598

guster4598 wrote:

Does anyone have any insight on Tascam products? I was looking at the Tascam US-200 and that seemed like another interface that could suit my needs but I don't know much about it or peoples' experiences with them.

Whatever interface you decide to go with I'd check to make sure it was compatible with the latest Lion OS.

Some older USB devices are not compatible, Apple changes things so you want to make sure what you purchase will be supported.

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Answer 7

guster4598 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2012 6:05 PM in response to Pancenter

Thanks for all the help. I think I'm going to go with the MOTU Audio Express. Seems to suit all my needs and I've only heard good things about it. Any thoughts? Thanks again.

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Answer 8

pbear5

Level 1

40 points

Mar 21, 2012 6:13 PM in response to guster4598

i use a motu ultralite (older model not the MK3--so it doesn't have the dsp effects) and it really seems solid. I have also use the Line6 StudioPODs (UX2 and GX) and they are really nice for the money. the nice thing about the Line6 gear is that they come with PODFarm plugin (a full amp/cab/effects modelling suite plus they have broken them out into individual plugins like Reverb, Delay, Mic Preamps etc.) which is very good for guitar, bass, vocals, etc--expandable to tons of amps and other gear--so you get a competant audio interface plus (IMHO) better guitar effects than Logic. Their ToneDirect Monitoring is a great way to process audio with very low latency independant of your Logic buffer setting--i wish all interfaces offered this.

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Answer 9

OneWatt

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2012 9:09 PM in response to Brazeca

I had an Echo Layla3G (PCI card) in Sonar for about 8 years and LOVED it. Then, in switching over to Apple, I recently got an Echo AudioFire8 - works like a charm via firewire into my MacMini. My experience(s) with Echo hardware has been highly satisfying.

Some audio gurus out there have done side-by-side comparisons of the audio specs and benchmarked Echo against much more expensive equipment and have given them great reviews - especially for the price.

As always, google is your friend. Happy hunting.

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