M4.. a bargain brilliant allrounder, excellent for gigs.

I currently have the iconnectivity Playaudio 12, the PlayAudio4+, and the iRig Pro Duo that I recently asked about here on AS, and the M4. The only thing M4 doesn't do that the PlayAudio does is "redundant" setups (the PlayAudio can interface two computers at once in case main machine goes down), but otherwise it's (the M4) a perfect workhorse for gigs. Solid build, impeccable conversion, lowest latency (in same ballpark as RME and Focusrite), also does CV on its outputs if you need to do synths that way... I'm weighing up getting a second one vs spending more on an Ultralight 5 - with redundancy in mind. I set it up with Surface Book / Ableton / Linnstrument. Click track / cue goes on one pair of outputs, the other pair is the master output which goes to FOH.

Edit: the iRig Pro Duo is fine but you don't get four outs so you can't do stereo master AND a cue track, or in your case stereo deck A and stereo deck B. It's beautifully small and works well, but it's only 1and2 out.

 

Those are pure beasts, and a nice interface to use on a rack or studio, but in this specific situation small form factor is a must, as it needs to fit in a backpack ^^

 

I also love rme and babyface would be a choice If it had more physical outputs

 

After some research I also really liked what the ID4 MKII as to offer, everybody talks about how good the sound is, mostly of the driver issues are windows related and since I'm using Mac for now it might not be an issue for me, I think that at the moment the indecision is between ID14 MKII and Motu M4 ^^

 

I didn't knew the iRig Pro, and it seems a nice little interface, but as you said without multiple outputs it won't suit my needs :\
Glad to hear your feedback about the M4 though ^^

 

Maybe this will help you:
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/MOTU_M4_vs_Audient_ID14_MKII_vs_Solid_State_Logic_SSL2%2B/BHitems/1514483-REG_1641632-REG_1539211-REG

 

You can get a Babyface Pro or Pro FS (doesn't matter which really) on the used market for €400. Worth every last penny! You already own a RME so you probably know how indispensable Totalmix FX would be for live use. The only other brand out of the ones you listed that have similar mixer software is MOTU. They are comparable to RME but can have a bit more problems with drivers on the Windows side. For Mac they should be rock-solid.

Audient interface sound great, but the mixer software is not advanced in any way. I also had a lot of problems with the driver not being able to switch between different sources (DAW/system/browser) and sometimes when I forgot that I couldn't start VLC (or whatever media player) while I had the DAW running, the driver just crashed and I had to restart my system. This was on Win10 a couple of years ago so this might not be a problem any longer though.

 

If you're putting the device through a PA rig then the audio quality is a secondary less important consideration - PAs are lousy compared to studio monitors as I'm sure you're aware. I would only focus on reliability and I/O options. It would be hard to find a device where the audio is so poor people in the audience would notice.

 

RME babyface would be THE device to consider if it had more outputs, otherwise total mix for the type of usage I'm giving it live would be overkill ^^
I just need something with solid drivers, with loud and quality outputs so I can split into two channels maybe three on a mixer.
What I'm afraid on ID14 MKII is the driver part, although I wouldn't be switching software OTG, it would be only Ableton or only Traktor at a time, what I read about it is that ID14 doesn't store volume settings, wich is +1 thing to be aware when setting up the gear on the booth, but again... I will use outputs at full blast anyways, so it's a matter of plugin' the soundcard in going to it's mixer settings and set them up in a couple of seconds, also for what I saw with ID14 MKII you have outs 1/2 & 3/4 on the back but the heaphone out is also mappable through 5/6 giving me te possibility to have 1/2 deck A 3/4 deck B and 5/6 vst synth all routed to diferent channels on a physical mixer wich in MOTU I don't think it can be done.

 

If you could find a used RME Fireface UC for 600 or less that would perhaps satisfy your criteria. You'd have ins and outs and rock solid drivers with the sound of angels on high.

 

Those are huge beasts :D I have the older version the fireface 400 on my studio and just can't imagine working with something else tbh, I've considered to buy the new UCX and use the 400 on the road, but atm can't strech the budget that far

 

So do you not have space for a full rack unit? I am with Lois's original post 100% about something screwed down into a rack.

Used units; man people get upset when you remark a model number they paid too much for. Always. The thing is, I have used *used* audio gear before that looked like it came from the Home Depot Paint Department; that still worked 100% functionally.
If someone is selling something used, you start at 50% and go down from there. Minus shipping. When you have the luxury of PASSIVELY shopping you will find all sorts of shit out there, and people who need the money. Take the time to make offers, and you will occasionally open your email to a nice surprise of an accepted offer. Sometimes more frequently than you expect.

You do not care about a warranty. You do not care about it's appearance. You know if you are playing bars and clubs, this thing will ultimately end up wearing a drink. It being in a rack, used, and cheap as possible, is a better option. This was my point.

I have never had anything stolen from a rack, or even seen it happen. Never anything from a rack. Laptops, mixers, records, turntables even, never anything screwed into a rack. You can put Tamper Proof Torx screws into your rack, and if they do not steal the whole thing they are screwed. No-one takes a T15 to a bar.

 

Yes, I have to unplug something to reamp, but as a portable workhorse it's hard to beat. From your list, I think MOTU are the only ones who write their own drivers?

 

True, it's a minor issue for what seems to be a very good audio interface, still have to dig a litle deeper on the driver part on the Motu and on the ID 14 MKII to try to find wich is more stable.

 

Second hand material is a good option if you have pacience to pick up a good deal, that's actually how I got my fireface 400 6 years ago and it is still rock solid, I guess I can take a look on what's out there for deal, In this case I'm not thinking about using a rack since most of the DJ boots don't have much space at all and I would like to be able to have all the material I would use to fit on a backpack so I can be able to have a consistent setup even on international giggs and to make it easier on the traveling part.

 

https://www.tutti.ch/de/vi/zuerich/musik/instrumente/rme-fireface-uc-interface/52109746

CHF 615

 

I would consider a rack bag over a backpack.

You can use them the same way, they have shoulder straps or back harnesses. They are portable, carry-on certified for airlines, and the nicer ones are rip, water and crush proof.

You probably don't need all of that I think SKB and Gator make prosumer versions 2U rack with laptop dock that can be configured for top exit jacks. Doesn't get any more drop/plug/play than that. If you only use 1.5 of the rack space. That gives you some air flow and cable storage for spares.

The worst experience one can have while traveling and working is their money making gear taking a dive because of improper preparation and being somewhere where sourcing a replacement is impossible. If you are getting paid well enough consider having at least one backup for every piece in your kit, you might never use any of it, but you will avoid that bottomless hole of shit feeling if whatever is broken can't be rigged and you loose your performance, pay and rep because the Universe is an asshole and you just were not ready for it.

I might sound like like an old grandfather here, and I am not that old, but one should always get the best luggage and professional travel cases one can afford. I still have Travelpro luggage and Pelican cases from the late 90's and 00's that have seen countless train/air/car miles that still work like new and will probably out live me.

 

I do not know in which country you live, here we have a luggage insurance:

If your luggage is lost, damaged or stolen while you are on vacation, this is not only annoying because it usually raises many questions and causes stress right at the beginning of the trip. Usually, the loss or damage of your luggage is also associated with costs.

Which damages are insured?

- Loss, damage, destruction
- Theft, burglary, robbery
- Deliberate damage to property
- Accident to means of transport or accident of an insured person
- Storm, fire, lightning or explosion
- Force majeure