For various reasons I'm looking for a new audio interface, so welcome any thoughts and suggestions. The requirements I have are:
4 in / 4 out
Inputs with phantom power and combination mic/jack sockets that can also take instrument level signals
As many inputs and outputs as possible accessible from the front
Budget around 250
I'd really like it to be bus-powered, but from looking at what's available I suspect that this may not be possible - maybe because the USB bus does not supply enough power to send phantom power to the mic inputs as well as power the device itself...
What I have found so far:
Focusrite Scarlet 18i8 - a bit over budget
Presonus Audiobox 44VSL - almost looks great, but WHY DID THEY PUT THE HEADPHONE OUTPUT ON the BACK?? FFS...
M-Audio M-Track Quad - could be OK, but I'm a little suspicious of the quality of M-Audio's mic preamps
Akai EiE Pro - is this the same as the M-Audio repackaged in a different box?
Anything else?
Comments
http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/audio_interfaces/ur_series/models/ur44.html
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
I also noticed the Tascam US 4x4
Hmm, I was looking at this, but it only has 2 mic premps when I was really looking for 4. Not that I really need four, but I'd like to be able to experiment with multi-micing from different positions etc. On the other hand, it the bundled software looks quite interesting
Best bits are:
- driver stability
- latency
- pre amp quality
- build quality
- software
bad bits are:
- can only use the direct monitor on input 1&2 - which are the combi's (although you can send it to headphone and out 1/2 or out 2/3) you can still monitor all in's via DAW.
- only 1 headphone out.
Pro's outweigh the con's by miles.