Willyc510
New member
What is the best 8-Track Audio Interface for around 500-600 dollars?
PRHunt
I void warranties
In the absence of information about any of your other requirements, it is not easy to make recommendations.
How do you want to connect to your computer (eg firewire, usb, pcie, etc)? Do you need built-in preamps? Midi? S/PDIF? Are you likely to want to increase tracks at some time?
As a start, you could look at the Echo Audiofire range: Audiofire8, Audiofire8 Pre, and Audiofire12
How do you want to connect to your computer (eg firewire, usb, pcie, etc)? Do you need built-in preamps? Midi? S/PDIF? Are you likely to want to increase tracks at some time?
As a start, you could look at the Echo Audiofire range: Audiofire8, Audiofire8 Pre, and Audiofire12
Justsomeguy
Quiet is the new Loud
and how many analogue outputs do you need? headphone outs? line/instrument inputs?
Too add to PRhunts list, i'd also say have a look at the Focusrite Pro 40 , Tascam US-1800 , Presonus Firestudio Project, and the Motu 8 pre. All have their own pre's and con's but, in terms of quality, they're all fairly similar so it just comes down to your specific needs
Willyc510
New member
I'm looking for a USB 3 one with built in pre-amps
Justsomeguy
Quiet is the new Loud
Tbh, i personally can't think of any USB3 interfaces available atm (and can't see any from a quick google search) but i did find people discussing compatability issues with some USB2 interfaces with USB3 buses so, whatever you go for, i'd suggest just checking that they will work with your usb3 bus.
Otherwise, i'd say have a look at the Tascam US-1800 i said earlier and the Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL although, as a UK resident, i have no idea of the $ price i'm afraid.
Otherwise, i'd say have a look at the Tascam US-1800 i said earlier and the Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL although, as a UK resident, i have no idea of the $ price i'm afraid.
J
JJ33
New member
If I had my choice I'd sell my neighbor's dog and get the Apogee Rosetta 800. Failing that, any of the above suggestions should be comparable.
B
Bunny Lapin
New member
Depending on how many preamps you'll need, I've had pretty a pretty good time with my motu ultralite - it's only got two preamps but if that suits you it's great. Small, reliable, portable, lots of outs too, if you need that.
CoolCat
Well-known member
USB 3....here we go... new territory?
I was just going to say the Line 6 UX8 is a "sleeper" Craigslist find, great pre's and I think the software is 5 star.
Todd Rundgren recorded his CD Arena using it, for a perfect example of its potential.
$200 used...to $400.
but USB 3 it is not.
I suppose thats a good point, in 5 to 7 yrs forward, we will have USB 3 only, and be running Windows 14!
I was just going to say the Line 6 UX8 is a "sleeper" Craigslist find, great pre's and I think the software is 5 star.
Todd Rundgren recorded his CD Arena using it, for a perfect example of its potential.
$200 used...to $400.
but USB 3 it is not.
I suppose thats a good point, in 5 to 7 yrs forward, we will have USB 3 only, and be running Windows 14!
D
DenverDrummer
New member
I just bought the Audiobox 1818vsl. I was torn between this and the Roland Octacapture. I also own a Zoom r16, which is sort of the "ginsu knife" of recording interfaces (it slices, it dices, it can cut through a tin can, etc., etc.)
I got the Audiobox because it was about $300 cheaper than the Octacapture, and IMO Presonus makes the best pre-amps in the "under $1000" range. Sure there are better mic pre's than Presonus, but you're going to pay over a grand for them. 115db Dynamic Range is sufficient for what I need and the pre's are very, very quiet, especially compared to my Zoom r16 where the pre's have about 85db dynamic range, and you start to hear noise with the pot tuned half way to full. On the Presonus, I have to turn the pot to almost 3/4 of the way before I hear anything, and even then it's pretty subdued.
I'm glad that Presonus is finally starting to develop more for USB, because despite all the fandom Firewire is going the way of the dinosaur. yeah it's still around, but even Apple is going away from it. Plus the Presonus, allows for 16 inputs through ADAT, so it's really one of the best USB interfaces in this price range, but that doesn't mean it's perfect.
The good:
Like every presonus device, the mic pre's are incredible especially in this price range.
You can control with an iPad, with the free app, from Presonus
Built like a tank, the chassis is all metal solid design, including the pots. It's rackmoutnable and truely road worthy, for those using in a live venue.
VSL is really great, and simple an easy to use. A ton of presets, that are drag and drop. You can add multiple scenes, for a live show.
Minor gripes:
pretty cool that you can control this with an iPad, but you are still tied to having a computer, and a wireless router with you, if you're at a gig, and using it live. No support for Android users unfortunately, and no word on when they might port the app.
Probably a better option is if the GUI will integrate with all the new touch screen laptops that are coming out, or a device like microsoft surface pro that will be able to load the driver direct on it, with a USB out, and a touch screen interface.
The device is setup to work with the DigiMax D8, but the way the 1818vsl is designed with the combi - xlr/1/4" inputs on the front, and the pots on the front, all the outputs on the back, but the Digimax has the XLR only inputs on the back of the unit (only two 1/4" line inputs on the front), could make for a cabling nightmare. Maybe not a big deal to some, but I'm a little anal about that sort of thing. I just wish there was more of a group design in mind, when making these products, since they're designed to work together.
Honestly, for the price I paid, I have few complaints. It's a well built, well engineered piece of hardware, and the sound quality is about 100 times what I get from my Zoom, and some of the mics I'm using aren't even that great. It's really the quality of the mic pre's and how quiet they run, that just makes for a strong signal with clear response. And don't get me wrong because I still love the Zoom for what it does, and it's portablility. I just needed more than 2 channels of phantom power for some of the room mics I use.
I got the Audiobox because it was about $300 cheaper than the Octacapture, and IMO Presonus makes the best pre-amps in the "under $1000" range. Sure there are better mic pre's than Presonus, but you're going to pay over a grand for them. 115db Dynamic Range is sufficient for what I need and the pre's are very, very quiet, especially compared to my Zoom r16 where the pre's have about 85db dynamic range, and you start to hear noise with the pot tuned half way to full. On the Presonus, I have to turn the pot to almost 3/4 of the way before I hear anything, and even then it's pretty subdued.
I'm glad that Presonus is finally starting to develop more for USB, because despite all the fandom Firewire is going the way of the dinosaur. yeah it's still around, but even Apple is going away from it. Plus the Presonus, allows for 16 inputs through ADAT, so it's really one of the best USB interfaces in this price range, but that doesn't mean it's perfect.
The good:
Like every presonus device, the mic pre's are incredible especially in this price range.
You can control with an iPad, with the free app, from Presonus
Built like a tank, the chassis is all metal solid design, including the pots. It's rackmoutnable and truely road worthy, for those using in a live venue.
VSL is really great, and simple an easy to use. A ton of presets, that are drag and drop. You can add multiple scenes, for a live show.
Minor gripes:
pretty cool that you can control this with an iPad, but you are still tied to having a computer, and a wireless router with you, if you're at a gig, and using it live. No support for Android users unfortunately, and no word on when they might port the app.
Probably a better option is if the GUI will integrate with all the new touch screen laptops that are coming out, or a device like microsoft surface pro that will be able to load the driver direct on it, with a USB out, and a touch screen interface.
The device is setup to work with the DigiMax D8, but the way the 1818vsl is designed with the combi - xlr/1/4" inputs on the front, and the pots on the front, all the outputs on the back, but the Digimax has the XLR only inputs on the back of the unit (only two 1/4" line inputs on the front), could make for a cabling nightmare. Maybe not a big deal to some, but I'm a little anal about that sort of thing. I just wish there was more of a group design in mind, when making these products, since they're designed to work together.
Honestly, for the price I paid, I have few complaints. It's a well built, well engineered piece of hardware, and the sound quality is about 100 times what I get from my Zoom, and some of the mics I'm using aren't even that great. It's really the quality of the mic pre's and how quiet they run, that just makes for a strong signal with clear response. And don't get me wrong because I still love the Zoom for what it does, and it's portablility. I just needed more than 2 channels of phantom power for some of the room mics I use.