Opinions needed: Interface for 5.1, monitors...

[bchrismar]

Hey all,

Was digging through search but many of the good threads on this topic seemed dated. Wanted to get your thoughts on some gear...

Have a fully functioning post studio but need to add 5.1 on a budget. (Short term project most likely)

1. Any thoughts an a decent interface? Only need a couple XLR in, need at least 6 out. USB or thunderbolt. Some have mentioned the Focusrite Scarlet. My stereo interface now is a MOTU and I actually love the way the converters sound. Want something good enough, but again... this is a short term low budget project.

2. I have 1032s as my mains, I actually have a 3rd I could use for a center. I have two 1029s I could use for rears. (Or is that wacky that they're that mismatched size-wise?). Any thoughts on a sub to add to this combo?

I could also just buy 3 more 5" Genelec monitors and add a smaller sub of some sort? (I know they made the 1091A many years ago, not sure what you'd pair with it now?

Also open to mix/match monitor options anyone has used on a budget and had good results with.


Thanks in advance for any input. Including any other thoughts I didn't mention.


Current details:
M1 Mac Studio/Ventura
PT 2023
Genelec 1032A (stereo mains plus one I can add as a center if needed)
18x10x8 mixing room
Work: Mostly post /98% 2 channel deliveries

[Darryl Ramm]

To me a lot would come down to what surround monitor control capabilities you might want. And that is where Motu unfortunately has a weakness.

[BScout]

The MOTU ultralite mk5 can link the outs to be controlled by the knob.

But any day of the week, I'm going to say RME UCX II. Because RME TotalMix makes things real possible and real easy.

As for your speakers, smaller rears is fine. But center needs to be same as L/R.
You could submix other channels (unfiltered) to your LFE out for a basic amount of bass extension with something like TotalMix. (then you group the outs and assign one of the pairs to the volume knob so they all work in tandem)

[smurfyou]

Plenty of opinions on interfaces here if you search. But yes MOTU and Focusrite are common budget picks. RME & Metric Halo would be my choice.

I mixed a lot on a setup with Genelec 1032 as L-C-R and 1029 as rears. Worked great although I find some monitor EQ is helpful. LCR should always be the same.

[bchrismar]

Originally Posted by smurfyou

Plenty of opinions on interfaces here if you search. But yes MOTU and Focusrite are common budget picks. RME & Metric Halo would be my choice.

I mixed a lot on a setup with Genelec 1032 as L-C-R and 1029 as rears. Worked great although I find some monitor EQ is helpful. LCR should always be the same.

Yep, was either going to keep the 3 1032s in front... or consider getting a new trio if it was too unbalanced to run teh 1029s in the back but I'm pleased to hear you had good luck with this exact combo.

Do you recall what sub you ran with this setup?

Thanks!

[bchrismar]

Originally Posted by BScout

The MOTU ultralite mk5 can link the outs to be controlled by the knob.

But any day of the week, I'm going to say RME UCX II. Because RME TotalMix makes things real possible and real easy.

As for your speakers, smaller rears is fine. But center needs to be same as L/R.
You could submix other channels (unfiltered) to your LFE out for a basic amount of bass extension with something like TotalMix. (then you group the outs and assign one of the pairs to the volume knob so they all work in tandem)

Digging into the RME, liking what I see. Thanks for the input!

[smurfyou]

Originally Posted by bchrismar

Yep, was either going to keep the 3 1032s in front... or consider getting a new trio if it was too unbalanced to run teh 1029s in the back but I'm pleased to hear you had good luck with this exact combo.

Do you recall what sub you ran with this setup?

Thanks!

No I don't recall. Pretty sure it was the 12" with bass management that could be switched off. The 1032's were good down to around 40Hz so I didn't like filtering them at the sub.

[JFreak]

^ this.

I have 5x 8040's and a 7060 sub. Only need sub for LFE, but am too lazy to disconnect it so there it is sitting without much use.

(connected via apogee symphony mkII but that is serious investment, not a temp setup...)