audio interfaces on a budget

  • Thread starter Thread starter yorgo
  • Start date Start date
Y

yorgo

New member
So I'm still deciding on a audio interface.....which would provide better sound quality in the way of mic preamps?
audiobox presonus
or
m audio fast track pro
 
Not sure you will find much difference in the two. I would suggest getting either and start figuring out the more important things to worry about as far as recording quality.
 
I've not tried the Presonus but used a Fast Track Pro for a number of years (and still own a Mobile Pre) and it was fine. HOWEVER I'd have a nagging worry about ongoing support with the way M Audio has been split up with some things being Avid now and others still being marketed as M Audio. I have no evidence of problems...just a bit of paranoia in the back of my mind.

Another thought though...I don't know where you are but, at least for me, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is in the same price range as the M Audio and Presonus boxes you mention--and I think the Focusrite has the edge in terms of pre amp quality. Worth a look anyway.
 
The M-Audio M-track is under $100 USD and has separate TRS / XLR plugs plus an insert jack and includes MIDI if you need that. They have released Windows 7 and 8 drivers, but I'm currently using it fine as a plug-n-play with the ASIO4ALL driver so it's pretty generic in terms of support needs. Might also be worth a look.
 
EastCoaster said:
The M-Audio M-track is under $100 USD and has separate TRS / XLR plugs plus an insert jack and includes MIDI if you need that. They have released Windows 7 and 8 drivers, but I'm currently using it fine as a plug-n-play with the ASIO4ALL driver so it's pretty generic in terms of support needs. Might also be worth a look.
Click to expand...


ASIO4ALL drivers are not real ASIO drivers, if you use ASO4ALL be aware it is a ASIO simulation. If the interface has dedicated ASIO drivers, you will get much better performance.

If it works, great, but you may want to check out the ones supplied by the HW manufacturer, as they are written at the hardware level specific to that set of hardware.
 
I had it in my hands but decided to do more research. Yes I wanted ask those things especially midi.
so youre happy with the sound quality?
 
DM60 said:
ASIO4ALL drivers are not real ASIO drivers, if you use ASO4ALL be aware it is a ASIO simulation. If the interface has dedicated ASIO drivers, you will get much better performance.

If it works, great, but you may want to check out the ones supplied by the HW manufacturer, as they are written at the hardware level specific to that set of hardware.
Click to expand...

Just to expand on what DM60 said, ASIO4ALL isn't an ASIO driver. It's just a wrapper that lets devices which normally use the standard Windows MME drivers appear like ASIO to your DAW It bypasses some of the worst bits of MME but will still have more latency than a true ASIO driver written for a device.

You're always better off using hardware that has properly written dedicated ASIO drivers.
 
Bobbsy's right,
The focusrite pres aren't bad at all. I have an Scarlett 8i6o & the 2 pres work very smoothly and I've cranked one to the max the other day because of a low level mic & it did a nice job of bringing the mic up to a usable level without much noise. It was pretty cheap too.
 
Bobbsy said:
Just to expand on what DM60 said, ASIO4ALL isn't an ASIO driver. It's just a wrapper that lets devices which normally use the standard Windows MME drivers appear like ASIO to your DAW It bypasses some of the worst bits of MME but will still have more latency than a true ASIO driver written for a device.

You're always better off using hardware that has properly written dedicated ASIO drivers.
Click to expand...

I installed the M-Audio drivers and didn't notice any difference in latency while playing or recording along with an existing track (no noticeable latency in either case). Interestingly, though, the output levels through the line out / monitor seemed quite a bit louder with the dedicated driver.
 
At that price range, the pre's will pretty much be the same, and considering the fact that you're looking at interfaces in this range, your mic budget will be limited as well. Get the interface that will give you the most I/O options. XLR, direct, MIDI, or whatever you may want to use. Also consider what DAW you want to use. Most basic interfaces come with some "light" version: Stienberg-Cubase, Avid-Pro Tools, etc. . Pick what will best serve your needs and learn how best to use it. Just my opinion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top