Another "what interface" thread

Haych

I need a new audio interface, USB-C preferably.

Needs to have no less than two inputs, and probably needs no more, but always good to have room for more, I guess.

Needs to have phantom power and needs to be able to play nice with a variety of mics - I've heard, possibly inaccurately, that the lower end Focusrite interfaces can be a bit finikerty with certain mics, otherwise I'd already have a 2i2 on order.

Is that right? If so what other choices are out there that will do the job?

I have used Steinberg before, but my current interface has been commandeered by the lad and I ain't never getting it back now!  Besides, it's not USB-C and there might be better choices now.

Ta.

MrTee

I’m on the same hunt, currently eyeing up the Audient Id4 Mk2 (had the first run previously, great little box) or the SSL 2

Watching the thread with interest…

digitalscream

If you're after a simple interface with no onboard DSP, then I can heartily recommend the Audient Evo 4. It's simple, reliable, no analogue pots to go scratchy, and it's got one big knob on top for quick access to volume. Also works with Linux because they play nicely with standards (you probably don't care about that).

Stuckfast

Focusrite, Audient, PreSonus Quantum are all good.

flying_pie

I use a SSL2

Does the job really well with a great quality preamp for the price

Haych

I am gravitating towards the SSL2, it looks to have a lot of what I want, plus it has MIDI too.  A bit more than I wanted to spend, but not massively.  And I've this morning discovered an old savings account I forgot I had.  There's only £60 in it but better than a kick in the nuts and more than makes up the difference between the 2i2 and the SSL2.

Edit: I was looking at the SSL2+ which is a bit more expensive than the SSL2.  I think the only difference is that the SSL2+ has MIDI and the SSL2 doesn't.  

So the SSL2 is only a fiver more than the Focusrite 2i2!

Do I really need MIDI on an audio interface?  Hmm, not likely since if I did want to use midi instruments it would probably be all via USB into the laptop/DAW anyway.

Result!

flying_pie

SSL2+ also has two headphones out

I have the MK1 SSL which I picked up pre-owned. The only major improvements on the mk2 I can see are mainly layout related. On the MK1 there isn't a dedicated on light for the phantom power button or Hi-Z switches, and the headphones connect to the rear instead of the front

Vintage65

I think the drivers are more important than the USB version.

Haych

flying_pie said:

SSL2+ also has two headphones out

I have the MK1 SSL which I picked up pre-owned. The only major improvements on the mk2 I can see are mainly layout related. On the MK1 there isn't a dedicated on light for the phantom power button or Hi-Z switches, and the headphones connect to the rear instead of the front

Ah, good spot.  Well, there's only one of me so I don't see only having one headphone out being an issue

AntonHunter

Haych said:

flying_pie said:

SSL2+ also has two headphones out

I have the MK1 SSL which I picked up pre-owned. The only major improvements on the mk2 I can see are mainly layout related. On the MK1 there isn't a dedicated on light for the phantom power button or Hi-Z switches, and the headphones connect to the rear instead of the front

Ah, good spot.  Well, there's only one of me so I don't see only having one headphone out being an issue

One for each ear?

ewal

I recently got the Audient Evo8 because I needed more inputs and had been using an ancient Behringer. Seemed really decent value to me, and so far it's done everything I needed.

Stuckfast

Vintage65 said:

I think the drivers are more important than the USB version.

Many of these small interfaces use generic drivers. That's certainly true of the SSL and Audient models. Focusrite and PreSonus have custom USB drivers. 

mrleon83

Another recommend on the audient evo, I’ve had focusrite and audient id interfaces and I’ve found no drawbacks

autogain is rather marvellous too! 

Oh android can set phantom power of each input individually as well, serious bang for buck 

flying_pie

Stuckfast said:

Vintage65 said:

I think the drivers are more important than the USB version.

Many of these small interfaces use generic drivers. That's certainly true of the SSL and Audient models. Focusrite and PreSonus have custom USB drivers. 

All I can comment with regard to the drivers is that my SSL works absolutely fine with Reaper on Windows 11

I have to say that I reckon, for amateur home recording, these days pretty much every interface will be good enough.

I think the difference between one preamp and another is of virtually no significance until you reach a high standard of recording, mixing and mastering. If you use below average monitors in an untreated room and don't really know what you're doing (let's be honest - that's probably more of us than we'd like to admit) then you're more likely to mess up a recording through poor choices in the process than by using one basic interface over another

Stuckfast

Totally agree, they are all easily good enough and will never be the weakest link in a home studio recording chain.

Haych

Well, I chose the SSL2 and it arrived today.

Not had a chance to use it yet although I'm sure it's perfectly fine.

It feels very made to a price, though.  The build quality isn't a patch on my old Steinberg UR22.  It's built from the same plastics used for Dacia dashboards and interior trim, and the knobs and switches all feel very cheap and not particularly pleasant to use.

But, it does 32 bit/192khz so that bit is better than the Steinberg, not that I think I'd be able to tell the difference.

I also don't like the form factor very much, but in use it might grow on me.

Failing that I think the lad might find that when he goes to work his my old UR22 gets re-commandeered!

blacknblack

if any one is interested I have an SSL2+, that I will put in the classifieds in the next couple of days

JAYJO

Haych said:

Well, I chose the SSL2 and it arrived today.

Not had a chance to use it yet although I'm sure it's perfectly fine.

It feels very made to a price, though.  The build quality isn't a patch on my old Steinberg UR22.  It's built from the same plastics used for Dacia dashboards and interior trim, and the knobs and switches all feel very cheap and not particularly pleasant to use.

But, it does 32 bit/192khz so that bit is better than the Steinberg, not that I think I'd be able to tell the difference.

I also don't like the form factor very much, but in use it might grow on me.

Failing that I think the lad might find that when he goes to work his my old UR22 gets re-commandeered!

I use the steinberg they are solid. 

Creed_Clicks

What about those new Korg interfaces. They seem to have a few nice bells and whistles added.