Audio Interface With Actually Good Drivers? (Windows)

Discussion in 'Soundgear' started by vuuru_keg, Mar 17, 2020.

  1. vuuru_keg

    vuuru_keg Platinum Record

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    wassup Coronabois hope everybody be safe and healthy,
    got a question for yall windows 10 users here:
    i got the NI Komplete Audio 6 Mk 2 now so long ago and the drivers are just a complete nightmare, crackles, dropout when recording at buffer size 64 (i got a good pc..)
    and the most horrible part is i get weird bit-crushing issues out of nowhere! just like that all the sounds from my computer start to sound bitcrushed, its super horrible and loud, can actually cause hearing damage, probably cause by the drivers not managing a constant sample rate of 48000... ive been in touch with their support since November 2019 and still no new driver.. the last driver they released was A WHOLE GHADDAMN YEAR AGO....
    and i know i aint the only one with issues.. i saw more and more posts on their forums like this:
    https://www.native-instruments.com/forum/threads/komplete-audio-mk2-driver-issue.364223/

    so with that in mind i ask you - what would you recommend as a good interface around that Komplete Audio budget that has good, stable drivers? very very preferably: an interface with two headphones out.

    1) been lookin on the SSL interfaces but they are super new so idk how good their drivers are
    2) been also lookin on the new MOTU interfaces i know their drivers are good but there are no two headphone out
     
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  3. PryKiller

    PryKiller Member

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    Focusrite and RME has some solid drivers
     
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  4. thejohndoe

    thejohndoe Kapellmeister

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    If its just solid drivers you want then there is still nothing as reliable as RME.they have always been unbelievably solid for Windows.if you are looking for really good AD/DA conversion as well though,there's much better out there
     
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  5. Apex Mors Cordis

    Apex Mors Cordis Kapellmeister

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  6. vuuru_keg

    vuuru_keg Platinum Record

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    focusrite has failed me twice before with hardware so im not gonna use them either ever again, i keep hearing good things about RME but they dont have any somewhat portable interface with two headphones out, which for their ridiculously high price should definitely be included...
     
  7. vuuru_keg

    vuuru_keg Platinum Record

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    was lookin on their interfaces as well, but arent they like really old at this point? dont wanan risk it if maybe they will upgrade their lineup soon?
     
  8. Apex Mors Cordis

    Apex Mors Cordis Kapellmeister

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    Hm really old is relative when we talk about USB interfaces ... I have the old UR 22 (so not the current ones) and they are still supported and get drivers ... and work like a charm ... I see Steinberg also has newer ones:

    https://new.steinberg.net/audio-interfaces/

    URC-Series ... maybe you check these ... but as said ... I have UR22, which is old ... and all is fine still with drivers and the hardware itself ...
     
  9. tzzsmk

    tzzsmk Audiosexual

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    RME is the only choice for solid drivers long-term,
    all else is garbage, sorry
    :unsure:

    EDIT: save a bit more money on either Fireface 802 or Fireface UFX (the old one, there have been few deals on used pieces on eBay, definitely worth it) - those both offer 2 headhpone outs with full individual routing capabilities
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2020
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  10. Tob

    Tob Platinum Record

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    RME
    One league above any other interface manufacturer`s driver.

    But it depends on what you call a good pc. I have a completely new build of a ryzen 3900x and I can use an audient Id 22 at 8 samples win 10 48kHz kHz for recording without any hiccup under surprisingly heavy load!
    On my main studio pc an intel 8700k I can get the same interface to 64 samples with a comparable load then it starts crackling from time to time. So its more like 128 samples.
    (I do not want to start an Intel AMD war. Please don't! I am just telling my experience because I have this new Pc build for 3 days. I can not explain why I have this fairly different results.)

    My main interface RME - 32 samples recording rock solid on both systems. With both systems under heavy load 85% CPU usage.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2020
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  11. vanhaze

    vanhaze Platinum Record

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    Exactly, my same thought.
     
  12. Moleman

    Moleman Platinum Record

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    is there a need of me to add more RME, and ONLY RME ?

    since 2006, i'm no longer looking to get a new audio interface.

    "ONLY RME" should be engraved somewhere on a large rock / stone or a cliff somewhere, some place visible to all
     
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  13. Gyro Gearloose

    Gyro Gearloose Audiosexual

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    also motu...apogee...
     
  14. Ballz

    Ballz Producer

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    Been using Audient iD22 for 6 years without a problem.
     
  15. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

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    You really can't go wrong with RME, Audient, or MOTU. Steinberg interfaces aren't bad, either. Focusrite can be hit or miss, and the mixing app is a bit confusing. I could also recommend Mackie Blackbird [firewire]. Excellent sounding, very easy to use, even standalone, interface.

    A tiny tip: older very HQ firewire interfaces can be had for a bargain price these days, you just have to invest into a PCIe Firewire card with TI chipset and you'll be good. :wink:

    edit: you could get lucky with one of those USB-C or Thunderbolt to Firewire adapters... :wink:
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2020
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  16. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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    The Babtface Pro has both mini plus 1/4 TRS headphone outs. The TRS would be a little louder than the mini, supposedly.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Gusmão

    Gusmão Noisemaker

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    Hello. I don't speak English so you will use the Google translator.

    My interface usually has the same problem. I found that by disconnecting the internet, it works again correctly.
    Check the possibility of using an external source to power the energy
     
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  18. Baxter

    Baxter Audiosexual

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    I've used RME since 2003 and have NEVER encountered an issue. I don't really understand how they do it, those crazy germans. Needless to say they have a hardcore fan here.
     
  19. Xupito

    Xupito Audiosexual

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    I use a dinosaur on-board Realtek sound chip which gives a solid 1024 samples without any glitches or pops. :disco:
     
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  20. johnw

    johnw Kapellmeister

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    Tascam US 366 , have even an digital optic in . Solid Drivers , works with reaper , bitwig , studio one ...
     
  21. notrace

    notrace Producer

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    About 6 months ago I purchased the Ik Multimedia AXE-I/O. It has been rock solid here on Windows 10. I'm currently running Windows 1909.
    IK Multimedia
     
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