Audio Interface

[DavidBedell]

Quick question for anyone out there: I am currently just using the basic Mbox mini with my Pro Tools 10. What would you recommend be the next step I take for a new Audio Interface? I was looking at Motu's...any advice out there would be great.

[Craig F]

depends on your wants and needs divided by your connection type

[mesaone]

also budget

[DavidBedell]

Very good point. I should clarify. I'm new to this forum, sorry for that. I have Windowns and can use FireWire or USB (I prefer USB though). Looking for anything within the $300-$700 range. Something that sends through a higher quality sound than the mini, I don't need many I/O's, maybe 4 at most. Hope that clarifies some things. Looking forward to hearing from you guys cause my knowledge here is very low. I just like writing music.

[Craig F]

mic pres built in or do you have some

[DavidBedell]

Preferably built in. going real basic.

[Craig F]

in that price range I'd probably go with the Focusrite Scarlett stuff
or extend a little into an RME Babyface

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by DavidBedell

Very good point. I should clarify. I'm new to this forum, sorry for that. I have Windowns and can use FireWire or USB (I prefer USB though). Looking for anything within the $300-$700 range. Something that sends through a higher quality sound than the mini, I don't need many I/O's, maybe 4 at most. Hope that clarifies some things. Looking forward to hearing from you guys cause my knowledge here is very low. I just like writing music.

That is really a pretty weak description of an interface... How about thigns like...

At a high level what are some of the more complex things you want to do with the interface? e.g. Track a solo male pop vocalist at home in an improvised studio. Live track a (2 x vocals, guitar, bass, keys and drum) classic rock band and mix a first few songs.

4 IO? Are you talking inputs or outputs and what type?

How many line inputs?
How many Mic inputs? What make/model mics are you using for recoding exactly what? That sets some limits on the Mic preamp gain/quality.
How many DI (direct inputs) for bass or guitar?
-- which of the above inputs need to be used concurrently?
What digital IO do you want? What digital outboard boxes do you need to connect to? e.g. Do you need inputs and/or outputs for S/PDIF coax, S/PDIF Toslink, ADAT/SMUX Toslink, AES/EBU, ...

How many built in headphone outputs? Can they just mirror the main output or do they need to be independent?

How many separate click/cue/monitoring mixes (normally to headphones) do you need to drive?

What low-latency/hardware monitoring capability do you want/need? (e.g. do you want any internal reverb or other effects on that or not?)

Do you want built-in monitor volume controller/alternate speaker section control?

Does the interfaces need to be portable?

Does it need to operate as an interface with other funky devices like an iPad? etc.

If you don't understand those questions you probalby want to before making any decisions on an interface. Have a Google for terms or ask questions. Some answers can easily end up with an interface well outside your budget, but still any gap there is important to understand.

[DavidBedell]

Thanks Craig F. That's all I was really looking for. Will look into those further. That RME looks enticing!

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by DavidBedell

Thanks Craig F. That's all I was really looking for. Will look into those further. That RME looks enticing!

I have no dog in this fight, but from what I read, RME has the best drivers of all the 3rd party companies.