Interface recommendations?

[JonHunt]

I apologize if this is the wrong spot for this question.

I’m an old timer and like to mix out of the box on my console. I’d like an interface that simply has line level ins and outs, and preferably 16 or 24 outputs for connecting my console. I’ve been looking at the Cymatic untrack 24 and the Allen and Heath Ice 16. The Cymatic looks just about perfect, but the Sound on Sound review says the DACs leave some dynamic range to be desired. Can anyone speak to this?

 

[rob aylestone]

I have a cymatic u24 in a rack and it's great on stage, been 100% solid and I have no issues with sound quality, but it's optimised for stage use so happiest when used like an old reel to reel - push the volume until it nearly clips but never goes over. Then it behaves to the mixer like the tracks playing back are real. I'd never really think of using it as a straight interface - and of course it's not cheap, and the D-sub to XLR cables are crazy prices - just to get a full set of in and outs can cost you here in the UK more than many interfaces! It will do the job fine, I suspect, but it's just not got huge dynamic range. If you are buying a mixer too, then you could buy a brand new behringher X32 for less money and better performance - plus have all the other benefits. A second hand one in good condition can be very cheap, or a brand new producer version. The d-subs are £50 here for one - so 16 channels in and out would be £200!

 

[ecc83]

I have a cymatic u24 in a rack and it's great on stage, been 100% solid and I have no issues with sound quality, but it's optimised for stage use so happiest when used like an old reel to reel - push the volume until it nearly clips but never goes over. Then it behaves to the mixer like the tracks playing back are real. I'd never really think of using it as a straight interface - and of course it's not cheap, and the D-sub to XLR cables are crazy prices - just to get a full set of in and outs can cost you here in the UK more than many interfaces! It will do the job fine, I suspect, but it's just not got huge dynamic range. If you are buying a mixer too, then you could buy a brand new behringher X32 for less money and better performance - plus have all the other benefits. A second hand one in good condition can be very cheap, or a brand new producer version. The d-subs are £50 here for one - so 16 channels in and out would be £200!

https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/...PING&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!491034912151!!!network}!1239093966902!&gclid=CjwKCAjwu_mSBhAYEiwA5BBmf_eqfHnJkYErUxouVF_1k_dyDYyLm-KBYBN5Shrl4d4AwYQMzoMGrRoCwmsQAvD_BwE

^ Better? Fork! I wish I was ten years younger. I was never happier than when making up cables and would be supplying yous guys at very nearly cost!

 

[rob aylestone]

Ha! I didn't find those when I was ordering them - but that was pre-covid, so maybe these are new Chinese products who spotted a hole in the market?

 

[ecc83]

Ha! I didn't find those when I was ordering them - but that was pre-covid, so maybe these are new Chinese products who spotted a hole in the market?

Well, one has to be cautious of course cheap XLRs can be off tolerance and be 'king tight in the socket (I had some from Maplin that needed gas pliers to remove!) but CPC are a reputable firm and would refund I am sure if the product was in any way defective.
They will NOT be as well made as Nukkies! But since this is a fixed site/one time connection situation it is pretty daft to pay £5 a plug which will hardly ever be moved and thus its excellent engineering wasted.

Just like to add...Not so many decades ago line level gear was often connected with screw terminal 'Choc-Bloc' and even today, if a screening cover plate was employed there would be no downside to that!

Dave.

 

[rob aylestone]

Plenty of install amps need a screwdriver. Just did a job where I expected a straight amp swap would be the cure to find terminal strips! Even worse, the amp rack is full, and there’s no slack, and to swap them to xlr connectors means everything in the rack will have to come out!

 

[jamesperrett]

Ha! I didn't find those when I was ordering them - but that was pre-covid, so maybe these are new Chinese products who spotted a hole in the market?

They've been around for a while but for some reason they often don't come up in a search. I've had the TRS version for a few years and it has been fine - despite being regularly moved and disconnected. I only knew they existed when I saw them in one of CPC's flyers (back in the days when they would arrive by post every Saturday morning).