Simple pro quality audio interface?

[mikehc]

What would people recommend as a PC audio interface, with an eye to pure sound quality (for recording live piano and classical instruments)?

I've looked at things like the RME Fireface but I'd quite like to keep the mic pres separate (so they can be chopped and changed and upgraded separately).

So I think all I would need the unit to have is a few line-level analogue inputs and a first class AD convertor, and a simple monitor out (to feed the SM Pro M-Patch 2 which I was recommended in a post yesterday!).

Don't need ADAT or SPDIF or other gizmos, although all the high end interfaces seem to come with them anyway. But it would be nice not to be paying for something I don't use.

Any ideas?

[JAYDMF]

Maybe a bit more than you really need but i really like theseMOTU ultralite

[Dr D]

I suggest the following which I use with my Mac Book Pro.

Edirol FA 101 - Cheap n cheerful, nice sound 10 IN / 10 OUT. Does what it says on the tin.

Digidesign M Box 2 Pro - Again, nice sound, no fuss it just works.

And finally I have 2 of these on my main studio rig.

Motu 2408 - These units have a nice warm analog sound to them.

Peace

Dr D

[JAYDMF]

The Fa101 has some serious issues with drivers at times, ive not had experience with it on a mac but on a PC it was terrible especially with xp64, just hangs and drops out loads as well as causing bounces to have blips and clicks no matter what buffer etc and thats with cubase sx through to sx3 and all the patches in between, so be careful.

Edit: ive had several Edirol units including the DA2496, FA101, UA25 and used a UA101 and i would say if you want those options get the UA101 or UA1000 rather than the FA101.

[mikehc]

Thanks for all the input.

Are the Edirol units really up to pro quality classical music recording? - I'm thinking KM184's or Sennheiser MKH80xx microphones, that sort of thing. Mic preamps might be RME, or DAV BG (I didn't like to mention them earlier on a DV forum since they're only sold direct!).

Mike

[JAYDMF]

Originally Posted by mikehc

Thanks for all the input.

Are the Edirol units really up to pro quality classical music recording? - I'm thinking KM184's or Sennheiser MKH80xx microphones, that sort of thing. Mic preamps might be RME, or DAV BG (I didn't like to mention them earlier on a DV forum since they're only sold direct!).

Mike

The DA2496 is probably the best edirol ive used but thats cuz its PCI based, in my personal opinion a PCI based system is usually the best option, although the motu units that are firewire and USB based are exceptionally good. The UA101 is good but its not the cleanest interface out there.

Anything MOTU that works around their 424 card is realy really good but then you have to pay for it, but if your willing to do so your going to be rewarded with a clean capture (providing everything else in the chain is of the same quality). i have the 24i/o which is great if you want all analog ins. if your going to use it with high end Pres then maybe the 2408 would be a good option as it has 24 channels of ADAT and then 8 analogues. Just think about those before you buy tho as they have the option of both standard PCI (well PCI-X to be technically correct) or PCI-E which is more than likely going to survive longer judging by the speed that PCs are evolving atm.

[mikehc]

Thanks. I've just been looking at the MOTU range and (if I forget that idea about keeping the mic preamps separate) the MOTU 8pre looks like a bargain - do you have any experience of it?

[JAYDMF]

Originally Posted by mikehc

Thanks. I've just been looking at the MOTU range and (if I forget that idea about keeping the mic preamps separate) the MOTU 8pre looks like a bargain - do you have any experience of it?

No thats a fairly new unit as far as im aware but if its MOTU it cant be a bad piece of kit in all fairness. Although the price range its in means your not gonna get top qualty pres although im sure the converters will be top notch. The other alternative is the 192 but thats 3 times the price

[Mansa]

Hi Mike,

A lot of the suggestions that have been already been made are great for their budget but if you are looking at "pro" quality then I would suggest you look at the following:

Apogee Rosetta 800 - Apogee Rosetta 800 192K 24 bit 8ch AD/DA Converter at DV247.COM
you'd need to get the firewire card for this as well so you can get the sound into and out of your computer - Apogee X-FIREWIRE X Series Firewire Card at DV247.COM

Lynx Aurora 8 with a firewire card. These are superb converters which are used by a lot of mastering houses. Great value for money. Unfortunately they are not on DV247 at the moment but by all means give me a buzz on 0207 819 3900 to have a chat about it or check out their website - Aurora 8

Hope that helps

Oh by the way if you'd like a DAV BG mic pre we can source them as well!
They are definitely recommended at the price range, deffo better than the RME's mic pres - worth checking out the Universal Audio Twinfinity as well tho for it's versatility - http://www.dv247.com/invt/51997/)

[dickiefunk]

I'd also check the Echo audio interfaces such as the Audiofire 12.

This interface has excellent quality converters and lots of I/O and the drivers are solid!
I personally own the Layla 3G which uses same A/D D/A converters as the Audiofire 12 love it. I used to own the M-Audio 1010, EMU 0404USB, Alesis I/O 2 and the Behringer BCA2000. The Echo sounded much better than those. The sound seemed more focused and tighter than the others. I know a few people who use MOTU HD192's and the Echo was at least on a par with these!

[terminal3]

If you truly want a pro quality firewire interface, there can be no compromises.

Orpheus Recording Interface Home Page

I'm sure DV would be happy to order one of these in for ya!

[JAYDMF]

now thats a classy looking piece of gear

[dickiefunk]

Originally Posted by terminal3

If you truly want a pro quality firewire interface, there can be no compromises.

Orpheus Recording Interface Home Page

I'm sure DV would be happy to order one of these in for ya!

These are the biz and at the top of my gear dream list!

[mikehc]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. Like everyone else here I would love the Orpheus, but my budget wouldn't stretch to that. Nor the Apogee Rosetta or Lynx Aurora - at least not without some real financial pain!

I'm interested in dickiefunk's suggestion of the Audiofire 12. What would you think of a combination of Audiofire 12 (£450) plus (say) DAV BG1 twin preamp (£500) - total £950.

How would that match up against the RME Fireface 800 - two mic preamps included, at about the same price (£850)?

These would be used with a pair of KM184s which I already have, or some Sennheiser MKH80xx when I can afford them. Recording exclusively classical piano (my lovely little Bosendorfer 170) and chamber music.

[dickiefunk]

That would be a much better setup! The Echo's converters are on a par with the Fireface 800. In fact there has been a few shootouts around the net with the Audiofire 12, Fireface 800 and Apogee Rosetta and the Audiofire came out favorably!
The Audiofire 12 paired with the DAV BG1 would make an excellent set-up! I've been thinking about adding a DAV BG1 to my current setup aswell!

Just thought it might be worth noting that the Audiofire 8 has the same converters as the Audiofire 12 but with only 8 analog I/O. The Audiofire only goes up to 96kHZ where the Audiofire 12 does kHZ which I very much doubt you'll need. The Audiofire 8 also has 8 ADAT I/O which could be handy for adding an 8 rack preamp at a later date.
The Audiofire 8 is also £80 cheaper which means you could get the DAV BG1u which is rackmountable and has a DI.

Here's a review of the Audiofire 12

Echo Audiofire 12