What external audio interface for monitoring?

[jimmy54]

I will be tracking using a standalone recorder but will be doing some editing/mixing on my PC.

What is a decent USB or firewire audio interface that would allow me to connect my Rokit KRK monitors for monitoring while mixing and also has a midi input for a midi keyboard to be connected?

As I won't be trackng on the PC (aside from some midi keyboad stuff) I don't need multiple inputs etc.

 

[John Willett]

I will be tracking using a standalone recorder but will be doing some editing/mixing on my PC.

What is a decent USB or firewire audio interface that would allow me to connect my Rokit KRK monitors for monitoring while mixing and also has a midi input for a midi keyboard to be connected?

As I won't be trackng on the PC (aside from some midi keyboad stuff) I don't need multiple inputs etc.

How about the new RME BabyFace - I'm thinking of getting one of these myself.

Though I do have a Grace m902b as my main monitor controller, I can use the optical out of the BabyFace to feed the m902 - though the BabyFace can do most of this itself.

 

[jimmy54]

Looks like a cool piece of kit but does far more than I need, and at about £440 ($700), is a bit expensive just to use as a midi in and monitor out.

Anything else that would fit the bill?

 

[mattr]

M-audio Fast Track Pro

Presonus Firebox

Lexicon Ionix U22

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB

Any of those would do a good job

 

[jimmy54]

Thanks Matt, they look just the ticket.

 

[Jim Lad]

The M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 is a PCI model which sells for $100.
PCI is superior to Firewire & USB.
I just installed one in my spare (Just for editing) PC and it rocks.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audiophile2496.html

 

[mattr]

The M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 is a PCI model which sells for $100.

I've never liked the look of those cards, probably because they've only got unbalanced RCA i/o. I suppose if they do the job...

 

[Jim Lad]

award-winning 24-bit/96kHz digital audio card

2 x 2 full-duplex audio performance

gold-plated RCA jacks

S/PDIF digital I/O with PCM and AC-3/DTS passthrough

1 x 1 MIDI I/O

includes Ableton Live Lite music production software, so you can make music right away

Does the job better than sound cards twice the price.

 

[jimmy54]

I've got no PCI slots (PC is a HP touchsmart all in one jobby) so it'll have to be an external interface.

Probably going to pull the trigger on the Lexicon Ionix U22 as it does all I need and will defo work with Win 7. Also, I did want balanced TRS outputs.

 

[Jim Lad]

So, you're using a notebook?

 

[jimmy54]

No, it's the 22" desktop model, 2 GHz duo with 4GB of RAM.

 

[mattr]

So, you're using a notebook?

Nah, one of these I'm guessing...

Nothing wrong with that though... your statement earlier...

PCI is superior to Firewire & USB.

...I have to partially disagree with. Yes, PCI is a technically superior interconnect, but from the context of this statement you seem to imply that this means all PCI soundcards and inherently superior to external offerings. Yes, some PCI cards are desirable (thinking the high-end RME stuff), but really Firewire and USB are perfectly adequate for all but the most demanding of applications (I've done 32 channels of 44.1k over FW400 before with no issues). Many studios rely on Firewire interfaces at the heart of their setups (RME Firefaces, Apogee Ensembles, Motu 896, etc). So would you really chose a $99 24/96 over an Apogee Ensemble just 'cos the 24/96 is PCI?

 

[Jim Lad]

No, I wouldn't but I would prefer a PCI pathway as opposed to any other.