Upgrading Interface

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HDHHMike

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Hi everyone.

I'm looking to make an upgrade within my home studio. I primarily record hip-hop vocals and maybe an R&B artist every blue moon. I don't use any live instruments infact only just a microphone, one PRE is really all I need. I'm not completely new to audio interfaces, but I've never had anything I would consider incredible. Mostly M-Audio products such as the old audiophile sound card and a few of their USB interfaces.

Now I currently use Focusrite Saffire 6, which actually gives me decent sound. Still, I'm wanting to increase my quality quite a bit. I'll be replacing my microphone and even my monitors. I use both a Mac and Windows.

Starting with the interface I have a budget of about $500-600. So far I've only come up with the RME Babyface Pro (a couple hundred above budget). Is this overkill? Are any of Focusrite new models that much better than the Saffire 6 in terms of audio conversion and their PRE's?
 
RME make good products for sure but in your price range you might want to look at the TASCAM UH-7000. Built very well, has Burr-Brown converters, and pre amps a pertty clean too. There is a thread on gearslutz compairing the the TASCAM to the babyface.
 
Without knowing what the rest of your gear is and what acoustic treatment you have, its hard to make recommendations. Moving up from the Saffire to one of those interfaces is going to make a minimal difference in recorded sound, whether you can hear it or not depends on your room and monitors.
 
mjbphotos said:
Without knowing what the rest of your gear is and what acoustic treatment you have, its hard to make recommendations. Moving up from the Saffire to one of those interfaces is going to make a minimal difference in recorded sound, whether you can hear it or not depends on your room and monitors.
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Hey thanks for replying! I'm not quite sure how to describe the acoustic setup in my room, I'm at work now can't take photos. However I would describe it as decent at best. It's about a 14x14 bedroom with about three windows, room may be a little bigger. The studio monitors I currently use are KRK 8". I haven't decided what I would upgrade to. And I'm currently interested in the Mojave MA-50. I recently bought studio time in at a local studio that used the MA-200 which sounded great to me. However, their setup is actually a bit more sophisticated than mine will be. My current mics are MXL v63 and MXL 770! I'll be upgrading the mics at the same time as the interface.
 
Simman said:
RME make good products for sure but in your price range you might want to look at the TASCAM UH-7000. Built very well, has Burr-Brown converters, and pre amps a pertty clean too. There is a thread on gearslutz compairing the the TASCAM to the babyface.
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Thanks for the suggestion. That suggestion actually lead me to some other interfaces, which are a little outside my budget such as the Audient id22. Still it has me doing some thinking. I like what I'm seeing in regards to the UH-7000. The driver and latency issues do scare me some.
 
HDHHMike said:
Thanks for the suggestion. That suggestion actually lead me to some other interfaces, which are a little outside my budget such as the Audient id22. Still it has me doing some thinking. I like what I'm seeing in regards to the UH-7000. The driver and latency issues do scare me some.
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Latency is a consideration. I use the interface for mostly mixing in an editing/mixing rig I have away from my studio so latency is not a real concern for me. If this is an issue for you, RME drivers have about the lowest latency I know.

mjbphotos said:
Without knowing what the rest of your gear is and what acoustic treatment you have, its hard to make recommendations. Moving up from the Saffire to one of those interfaces is going to make a minimal difference in recorded sound, whether you can hear it or not depends on your room and monitors.
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This is very true. Room treatment will make a huge difference on what you actually hear.
 
I am with Mike, changing the AI will make no audible difference.

I have always thought the lower priced Focusrites poor value compared to others but I have none and have never heard any criticism of their sound quality (there was the gitinput headroom cockup of course!) .

RME kit is superb even the Bab Face though I can never come to terms with its "ToysRus" visage! But then I am an old, tekky fart who likes 'tronics to LOOK like 'tronics! Second hand UCX? NOW yer talking!

The budget mentioned will not get you into Benchmark/ Apogee territory and again, I doubt you would hear the difference if you had such Wonga. Monitors would be a better place to drop cash IMHO but even here it is said you need to be in the $3000+ per pair area to get something really good.

So, my take? Learn more, especially about room treatment and keep saving!

Dave.
 
Upgrade your mics, speakers, room acoustics and anything else but that interface. You just won't be able to hear a difference in converters. My little experience with focusrite is there preamps sound very good.
 
threeheavens said:
Upgrade your mics, speakers, room acoustics and anything else but that interface. You just won't be able to hear a difference in converters. My little experience with focusrite is there preamps sound very good.
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Agreed but. The F'rite pre amps don't sound "good". Like the vast majority of pre amps in AIs and mixers (and stand alaone press too) they have no "sound" of their own. I cannot tell the difference between my KA6 prea, my A&H zed 10s and my 8i6 (in the absolute limit the Zs probably have slightly lower noise and greater headroom) OK so I am as deaf as a plank but my son, 42, very able musician is not and he can't tell either.

There are basically two types of mic pre in the world. Mostly those that amplify WITHOUT adding and character or "colour" to the sound and those that do. The latter type TEND to be very expensive but if you want that quality you had better know EXACTLY what you want and have the wherewithal to try out several models...Who do?

Been said before but stands repeating now and then IMHO. Making a clean, low noise mic pre amp these days with modern components and techniques costs peanuts.

Dave.
 
Good stuff here guys. Strictly PRE speaking, there won't be any noticeable difference in the Focusrite PRE vs Tuscam UH-700? The F'Rite honestly doesn't sound bad enough for me to be stubborn about this. This is actually good news.
 
I'd get the iD14 by audient instead, I am amazed at the quality of their converters for the money, there's an annoying guy on gearslutz who insists the UH-700 is better than the audient but I strongly disagree.
 
Depending on the converters. Focus vs Ensemble is no shootout.
 
Focusrite is a good pre tho for the money. I have used one for years, still have it. But as others said try to treat the room and monitors.

If you absolutely need to upgrade try the UAD Apollo 8. But I would stick with the Focus
 
you could do like I did, buy it stick a mic up to your stereo and record with different preamps. Then put it into a ABX software program and see if you can tell.(it randomly mixes up the two tracks and lets you guess which is which)
Or you could listen to the SOS files where they recorded with different preamps and tell us what you think.
 
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