Need a new soundcard...any tips?

JohnPerry

I've been using a TC Impact Twin for years (bought on here actually) but it's getting flakier...some problem with power from the firewire connection I think. Half the time it's silent on startup. Works fine when it wants to. But it's probably time for an upgrade anyway.

I need a replacement in the £200-£350 region for a Windows10 64-bit system. Needs firewire, MIDI ins and outs and mic inputs for home recording.

Any decent tips welcome!

octatonic

Are you sure about firewire?
It is close to being a dead protocol in 2021.

JohnPerry

actually not at all. I just have a firewire card I put in this PC. It's a decent spec machine though, with USB 3.0, so maybe as you suggest I should just go that way instead.

In which case, any recommendations in that price bracket?

octatonic

JohnPerry said:

actually not at all. I just have a firewire card I put in this PC. It's a decent spec machine though, with USB 3.0, so maybe as you suggest I should just go that way instead.

In which case, any recommendations in that price bracket?

I just reviewed this:

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/production-expert-1/antelope-audio-zen-go-synergy-core-tested
It is a tad over budget but very good and has onboard DSP for monitoring latency free.

Otherwise look at Focusrite and Audient for good quality interfaces in that price range.

JohnPerry

that does look good. How would MIDI work with that? Midi to USB? I am a rookie with this stuff - haven't looked into it for years

octatonic

JohnPerry said:

that does look good. How would MIDI work with that? Midi to USB? I am a rookie with this stuff - haven't looked into it for years

I personally always prefer a separate midi interface to audio interface.
Very few companies still include midi ports on audio interfaces these days.
You can get a class compliant 1x1 USB midi interface for about £20 on Amazon.

JohnPerry

I see. OK, thanks for the steer. V useful