ASUS Xonar Essence STX

 

http://www.musicworks.co.nz/usb-interfaces/
If you don't have hw synths, go for that Steinberg UR22. It blows out of water any focusrite, m-audio and such.

 

Im surprised no one mentioned the Presonus line.

IMHO, best product on the market for the price.

 

Thanks Olymoon but i already ordered the FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 6I6 and plus the Focusrite 18i20 is $750 here in New Zealand. Maybe i should of gave it some more thought and saved abit longer.. Oh well if needed i can always buy a new one in the future

Yea i herd about them but couldn't seem to find any

If only i had a desktop..

Another i couldn't find..

 

Here a New Zealand RME dealer (Over 30 Stores Nationwide):

Music Wokrs [email protected] +64 9634 0099

http://www.musicworks.co.nz/

Motu dealer New Zealand:

Sound Techniques Auckland

http://www.soundtq.co.nz/

New Zealand dealer for both Motu and RME:

http://www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/

 

Good you didn't buy Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 6 - their drivers aren't the best.

Funny, some recommend stuff here and in the thread I started some say keep your hands off.. (Presonus)
http://audiosex.pro/index.php?/topic/10905-advice-usb-audio-interfaces-for-windows-81-64bit/

Please let us know how your Focusrite works under Windows 8.1 Pro x64.
Also when using with different apps at the same time: Youtube, Audioplayer, DAW.

Enjoy your new product!

 

I didn't saw you mention about how you will use the sound card, if you would need a preamp on it, how many of them, how many inputs & outputs, etc, but if you're more into music production without microphone recording needs, then this pro PCI-E soundcard Esi Juli@ XTe is the best PCI-E card in that ridiculous price range, featuring converters like 24-bit 192Khz ADC (114dB) and DAC (112dB) with 2 ins and 2 outs, swappable socket and other more features. The drivers are custom and rock-stable (EWDM Technology) with a very low latency.

​

If you haven't heard of ESI already, it's not Chinese brand, it's actually from Leonberg, Germany, being one of the
few ever companies i know who really cares about their products quality (even their heavy MIDI keyboards are the best possible you can find in their price range when it comes about keys feeling and build quality / reliability, / sorry for offtopic but anyway, you get the idea)

 

Focusrite, Motu or RME

 

Hi,

I had bought the Native Instruments Guitar Rig Session some time back, i think it's discontinued now.
The Guitar Rig has specification as 24-bit /192 KHz quality, Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters.
But most of the interfaces in the starting range, even the Scarlett , can only do upto 96kHz. Does that make a difference?
Only the higher budget interfaces like Forte, Crimson etc. can do 192kHz.

How important is that for a deal maker/breaker?

thanks

 

http://www.amazon.com/ART-Tube-Project-Series-Preamp/dp/B000G1E59U/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1395493536&sr=8-5&keywords=art+tube+pre
art tube pre usb - less than a hundred bucks - has tube mic preamp

 

wait two more months and get your self a RME HDSPe AIO for 650$ max or if u dont need many I/O buy the best from ESI, Julia or Maya PCIe connections for 200$ max ...my best advice i can give, good luck!

 

well really if you do save for longer
since your not using monitor speakers id say that the headphone amps are going to be really important to you
so would say save to get a spl crimsion for its amazing headphone amps and use a subpac with your headphones.

 

Wow thanks for the links, Now i will have some more places to shop online

Thanks but i should of mentioned it's for a laptop

Thanks but all i need is upto 96kHz. Check this Video out..

 

Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 *yes*

...was in trouble with Presonus

 

They ended up not being able to order it in so i got the FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 18I20 witch is a bit of a overkill for what i need but at least it's abit more future proof

 

You wont regret it. I bought one recently, after 2 months studying the question. I am amazed by its quality.

 

Just got it.. Highly recommended

Just to let every one know it works perfect on Windows 8.1 64 bit