Audio Interfaces

[StanleyRubics]

Hey,

I just upgraded my computer and want to buy a new sound card online. Now I want to improve my audio interface as I think I'll get a lot of bang for buck with my sound that way.

I've been doing a bit of research and read a few reviews and have discovered the M Audio M track.



I don't need a lot of inputs so this seems perfect for me and is within my budget.

I just have a few questions for anyone who might have experience of this unit.

I guess it is easily compatible with Pro Tools as it comes bundled with it?
Is it good build quality?
What is the analogue/digital converter like in the unit? I tried a couple of focusrites and this is the area they seemed to be lacking for me.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[JoelG]

I'm pretty sure it is just a re-branded Alesis interface: http://www.alesis.com/products/view/io2-express

I'd personally go for something from Focusrite or Presonus.

Joel

[cwsand]

Originally Posted by JoelG

I'd personally go for something from Focusrite or Presonus.

+1 on that!

[Darryl Ramm]

If you describe your needs, number/type of mic/line inputs and line-level outputs, how many DI inputs, digital inputs/outputs and what you are recording, what mics other preamps you may have already etc. you have then folks here can suggest stuff. What computer you are using, and your budget...

That is usually much more productive than just asking "what about this" random box.

Money spend on room treatment, monitors, headphones, mics etc. is usually money very well spend. Have you thought about those? Do not assume just upgrading an interface is the best thing to do. What are you using now? What problems if any are you having? What monitors and/or headphones are you using? Is the room treated?

There are lots of really good vendors out there, including Presonus, Focusrite (although they've had issues recently with ASIO drivers), MOTU, Apogee Digital (Mac only), UAD etc. Often with very wide product ranges. Look at a range of products to undertand what different ones offer.

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by JoelG

I'm pretty sure it is just a re-branded Alesis interface: http://www.alesis.com/products/view/io2-express

I'd personally go for something from Focusrite or Presonus.

Joel

Yep, both owned by InMusic. Where audio brands go to die...

[Drew Mazurek]

UA Twin is IMO the only box you won't regret buying and need to change out in a year.

[VRW]

Originally Posted by Drew Mazurek

UA Twin is IMO the only box you won't regret buying and need to change out in a year.

+1

UA Twin Solo or Duo
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ApolloTwinS
or
Focusrite Clarett 2pre, 4pre, 8pre ...got great converters!
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Clarett2Pre

...given your computer got Thunderbolt.

If you are on a very tight budget this may be the best bang for the buck.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd gen. (needs no software, plug and play on Macs...
means no driver issues...yet great sound quality for the price range)
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2G2

These are all working well with Pro Tools offering great quality for the price.

Cheers.


Australian shops:
https://www.storedj.com.au/products/UA-APOLLOTWINS
https://www.storedj.com.au/products/UA-APOLLOTWIND

https://www.storedj.com.au/products/FOC-CLARETT2PRE
https://www.storedj.com.au/products/FOC-CLARETT4PRE
https://www.storedj.com.au/products/FOC-CLARETT8PRE

https://www.storedj.com.au/products/FOC-SC2I2G2

[albee1952]

Indeed, I never recommend M-Audio as they are terrible about drivers(and not that great anyway). UA Apollo is the ONLY way to go IF(the big IF) you want to track with UA plugins(using a UA card allows you to run their plugins, but the latency is too much for tracking). If you don't need UA plugins, RME is another solid option(they have maybe the best drivers of anyone). And, Audient makes some great stuff as well. Don't go too cheap if you care about your recordings. The interface is "grand central station" for all your audio, so buy the best you can afford(so you don't have to upgrade in a year)

[VRW]

Originally Posted by albee1952

UA Apollo is the ONLY way to go IF(the big IF) you want to track with UA plugins

+1
The UA Unison pres probably are the only replacements for hardware.
Get an Apollo (no matter if the Twin or the more expensive models) and the Neve 88R Unison Channel and you are good to go.
Serious stuff which you can do serious things with indeed. Worth the money.

Nevertheless the Focusrite interfaces always do a great job anyway.

And, yes, especially if you are on Windows/PC RME is the way to go. They got the best drivers for Windows/PC systems as well
as great audio quality.

Don´t know much about Audient yet they seem to make decent stuff.

And, to second what Albee has mentioned already, never save at the audio interface. It´s the one which makes your sound, which
produces the quality of your sound at the end of the day.

It´s the one which records your stuff and it´s the one which outputs your final mixes then. It´s one of the most important pieces
of your system finally. Never forget that!

All the best everyone.

[DDDaniel]

Audient and RME both make USB class compliant interfaces, which mean they even work without installing dedicated drivers. (Which might add extra functions)
For me this was a reason to buy an audient interface.


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