Budget USB interface for 5.1 monitoring

[roderickelms]

Almost all my current work is bounced to stereo and, therefore, monitored in stereo. I have a few historic surround recordings, and I'm looking to see whether there's a budget USB interface for Pro Tools (Studio) that would provide the necessary discreet 6 analogue outputs. I'm suspecting not in this price bracket, but I would appreciate thoughts in case I've missed something. This is really just for reference/interest so I'm not intending to spend too much money.

[its2loud]

What’s the price budget?

[roderickelms]

I'm looking well under £500. This is not for serious work – just to revisit a few old projects and investigate some possibilities. There are a few interfaces that will o/p six channels. but it would be handy to have one which not only had a master level control, but also dim/mono functions.

[its2loud]

I’d look for a used Focusrite 18i20.

The Tascam US 1608 and Behringer UMC1820 are a couple sub 500 interfaces. You probably won’t need all the mic inputs but there are basically zero multi-output interfaces that don’t have the mult-input as well.

[roderickelms]

I'd not considered the Behringer, although I imagine the DAC would now be quite reasonable.
I had a further thought – I currently use an RME Digiface USB to monitor the stereo. As this has ADAT o/ps, a simple ADAT to analogue breakout box would be perfect - however that's easier said than done. As you say, most interfaces also incorporate mic pres, etc. Howefer, thinking back, I think M-Audio made a 'Profire' interface which did this. Maybe I could pick one up cheaply and go that way. I'll investigate.

[its2loud]

ADAT to analog is certainly one option but they’re not much cheaper.

The cheapest I’ve ever found was the Aphex 141B new.

[roderickelms]

Many thanks for all the thoughts. Some positive ideas to move forward with.

[smurfyou]

You could also look for a used MOTU Ultralite. In addition to the Focusrite and Tascam. I've never tried the Behringer.

[roderickelms]

[EGS]

Originally Posted by roderickelms

I'd not considered the Behringer ...

Yeah ... many people are skeptical of anything Behringer - myself included! A few years ago, I needed an affordable 8-ch interface for a portable rig, so I tried out the U-PHORIA UMC1820. I had a 30-day return window, and I did not return it. The Midas preamps and the converters sound great. Solid build quality, great headphone amp, solid drivers. Zero issues over time. My 2 cents.