Please advise on sound card purchase

[Kristo Kotkas]

Hi guys, what non-Avid sound card would you advise to get that plays well with PT and has 4 or more inputs-outputs? Will be used with mac computers and must have aell written driver / fast updates. Thanks!

[Darryl Ramm]

You mean an actual sound card? Like a PCIe card for a Mac Pro Chesegrater? Or an external interface?

What exact model Mac? Do you have? We need to know it it has Thunderbolt for example.

You need 4 line ins? 4 Mic Pres? 1 DI? More? What digital IO? (S/PDIF? AES/EBU? ADAT? Outs or Ins?)

Hardware monitoring? In-box effects like reverb?

Do you have tough low-latency software monitoring needs (so likely a Thunderbolt or PCIe interface).

How many outputs needed for cue mix? Main/alt speakers/monitor control features etc?

Any strong preference for USB 2 or Thunderbolt or Firewire 800 etc? connectivity for compatibility with other computers etc.? OK if it can never work with a PC/Windows? (e.g. are Apogee Digital interfaces OK?).

Budget?

[madselhoff]

Depends on your budget.. but I would defenently recommend the new Focusrite line (clarett) TB and really really great preamps/converters! If you don't have TB (I think you do) ... then look into the Scarlett line which is usb. I have had no problems with focusrite products or customer service at all.

You can also go down the Apollo, Apogee, UA road if you got the cash


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The Weed]

RME has some of if not the best drivers IMHO - and others.

[Kristo Kotkas]

Guys, sorry for not being more clear. I'm Digi / Avid HW guy myself and have close to zero experience with Native systems and third party HW. I personally will keep using PTHD & Avid HW but I need this info for a friend of mine. He is looking to invest into a Native external box style system that is future proof on OSX machines. So that pretty much means USB3 and Thunderbolt would be the way to go. I have asked around the other places too and it looks like RME and UA are the ones that seem to keep it up and running and not turning down customers too often. Problem with UA seems to be they don't fully support Mac (no USB support!?!) So right now it looks like RME seems to me the most up-voted company. But I have no idea if RME cards play well with PT SW? My friend really likes M-Box Pro but since its EOL'ed I can't recommend it as the driver support will continue most likely only up to the end of 2020.

[Darryl Ramm]

Brands I'd personally look at (in kinda order of my own interest are) Apogee Digital, UAD, MOTU, RME, Presonus. And those vendors and models all covers a huge range in cost, features and quality. I'd be guided more by his needs... which we have no clue about. Many others brands I'd avoid, largely based on poor support (including Avid interfaces or re-branded Apogee interfaces).

Focusrite has been having too many software issues that affected users, otherwise I'd normally be recommending them. Still things like the new Claret may be worth a look (and the Red 4 Pre is a really fascinating interface).

[eesn]

Originally Posted by The Weed

RME has some of if not the best drivers IMHO - and others.

seconded. UCX or something bigger for your needs.

[Stig Eliassen]

Originally Posted by The Weed

RME has some of if not the best drivers IMHO - and others.

Agreed. Used a Fireface UFX with PT HD12 for a week for field recordings. Not a single hiccup.

[joachim]

Originally Posted by Stig Eliassen

Not a single hiccup...

... same for me since 5 years with a Fireface 800 on Mac and Pc.