Helolo audio maniacs!

I have a question for owners of usb audio interfaces.

Currently I do have setup with old Juli@ pci card connected to the Soundcraft compact4 mixer where my mic is captured and I can EQ the voice in real time. My question is, can I achieve something similar (even via software EQ build in the driver/software of interface) on any modern usb audio interface, like NI Komplete 6 mk2, SSL2 or MOTU4 ?

I've looked for usb audio interface with EQ build in , but none of the 'basic' (or lets say cheaper) models do have such knobs. Seems like the only options are usb mixers, that could be my last resort.

 

How many I/O do you need ?

Something like the Apogee Boom, Steinberg UR-C series, Presonus Revelator io24/44 or Lewitt Connect 6c could be what you need.

 

No they don't, I guess it's just assumed that you're going to do it inside the box and there's simply no need for it but it's an interesting idea, maybe a hardware developer to take a look at that. I suspect it would not happen because that would add some cost to the unit and it's not going to be cheap anymore. And it'll never be as effective as what you can do with software on the inside.

 

If you absolutely have to have that you could always add it as an extra piece of hardware before your interface. But to find one that's going to be clean enough will probably be prohibitively expensive as well.

 

Some interfaces, like the RME Fireface for example, sport no outside "knobs" because the EQ (and many other controls) is available thru TotalMix. TotalMix is the software based control platform for a large portion of RME devices...

 

if by MOTU4 you mean the M4, then no. It does not have any external hw dsp. It is just an i/o box and a volume knob.

Personally, if all I had was a Mic to record; I might consider a UAD Apollo if you can find one second hand and cheap. Not many small interfaces like that have onboard DSP. UAD, Apogee sorts of stuff. Since the UAD Native plugins got released, those interfaces have dropped in price second hand, by a lot. Most people do not even need external DSP.

And you can also apply FX to audio channel inputs in REAPER, or so I am told. If it records audio inputs while being recorded and it works for you, that would solve your problem for virtually nothing.

 

Last edited: Feb 11, 2024

motu ultralight mk5 has internal dsp that works even without pc connected at all. i would have thought m4 etc. have this feature too but it seems like they don't

 

Not for under 200 bucks new they wouldn't, now. The M2 and M4 are entry level devices and would be too expensive to make to be that cheap. The people who really need that on a 2x2 or 4x4 are maybe more of a niche market? It's so they can monitor it with the effect and latency first realtime, and then recorded on the way in. Most people do not even need it.

People talk about doing this with Reaper, but I have never tested it. But if I was in @OP's situation, and REAPER will record with plugin FX applied, I would do that anyway, because then you can just use whatever interface you feel like paying for.

 

Basically, you have three options:
- buy outboard gear, so you can decide what exactly you want to have (most expensive option),
- use a soundcard like RME ... and live with limited options (TotalMix has only 3-band EQ),
- use input channel FX in your DAW and have unlimited options (cheapest, most versatile).

 

Personally I never print EQ or other FX (from any source) unless some unforeseen circumstance warrants it - and most of the time not even then. If something doesn't sound right I'll simply change the mic, angle, room position, iso materials, or the room itself, etc, to avoid printing a fixed eq curve (or FX) to the track. If you're experiencing situations while tracking where you're constantly thinking you need to print EQ to a track then maybe think about getting some proper mics (or room treatments) for the job at hand. Because when you print things like eq and FX to a track you're basically stuck with it unless you re-record it later or have recorded a clean backup somewhere...

 

I don't quite understand this. Most software packages with interfaces will come with some kind of mixer capabilities. Some will be basic level, panning, and stereo 'mixing' and some will be deeper.

I use the Audient ID14 MkII that I can't recommend enough. Portable, fully featured, high quality, and allows me to run my MOTU 828 into it via ADAT for 8 extra inputs. The software also includes a mixer for levels, panning, routing, talk back, loop back, and so on. I don't think it has EQ, but may do, and not 100% without checking.

However, can't you just still use the same setup you do now, just run the Compact 4 outputs into the inputs on something like the Audient ID14 MkII, which has 2 combo XLR and 1/4" jack inputs on the back of it, which is in effect putting the hardware mixer in between the mic and the audio interface to EQ?

 

Last edited: Feb 11, 2024

Xsound probably needs this for live streaming, not recording. (or both?)

The input FX in your DAW might be the best solution, so you can choose a good audio interface, rather than the one with EQ.

In Linux, one can use any plugin or combination of plugins on inputs/outputs at the system level, with JACK... just to mention... You just need any audio interface. It is possible to do it in Windows, too. I just forgot how.

 

Thank you everyone for lovely inputs and examples. Gonna now check them out!

To answer some questions, 2/2 in/out will be rather enough - its just mic (rather basic mxl 770) via xlr I also love the idea of two headphones connected to the interface-mixer at once and independent control ( some usb audio interfaces have that, especiallz higher models ssl2+, NI control 6 etc ) - IDK, not only two people can have cans on and listen together, but also just in case of failure of "headphone out a", device still can be used somehow on "headphone out b".

Its rather a simple, amatourish home setup and as @SineWave noticed, used for both streaming and sometimes recording too (for that I setup my mixer eq at default) - but damn, its good to have a handy knob for EQ around if the usage is different than recording no daws and routing is needed which makes things simple.

Very good idea with the Compact connected to some simple usb audio inteface! That would basically solve the problem and keep the current capabilities. I am also keeping my eyes on second hand market, maybe someone will just sell juli@ but xte version which works on pcie as I really like the sonics for this cheap card - but I guess these days simple usb interfaces have great sonics as well, and much better preamps for mic.


@Fowly, just checked mentioned devices, and this Lewitt Connect 6c has LEWITT Control Center which is something I am looking for (if it works in a way I think it works. julia has a panel as well, but its simple 'mixer' with volume sliders, no EQ possible on that level in the driver/software). This device could completely exclude the use of the mixer in the setup, which is also pretty cool!


OFF topic, these days I noticed we are getting really shitty deals and its everywhere - in pc world, audio world etc. They just want to squeeze and give absolute minimum for the higher and higher prices.
For example, few years ago motherboards had really cool features etc for fair price, now for the same thing but modern is 2x more... high end few years ago now equal a mid or even basic tier nowadays. What a times!

 

Last edited: Feb 11, 2024

Remember that as good as could be your interface, your computer specs are also very important.
Example: With a powerful computer and a descent interface, you can perfectly EQ and more in real time with vst, as it have enough power to handle it. But what ever interface you have, if the computer is not powerful enough, you would have too much latency.
So take that in account.

 

Last edited: Feb 11, 2024

RME Fireface UFX (UFX II, UFX III) does exactly what you look for, it's a full featured DSP mixer with EQ, dynamics, reverb... as well as multichannel USB audio interface

 

Fireface UFX II = 2 000 + Euros... Yes you can smoke a cigar.
If I understand op's post, he is asking about reasonably priced interfaces.

 

Last edited: Feb 11, 2024

on used market, UFX drops under 1000€, similar goes for 802, when not in a hurry, local market may also yield it,
that Compact4+Juli@ combo probably cost around 500€ back in the day anyway (and computer at least twice as that), so not terrible price level for a devices with 10+ years lifespan,

depends on OP needs, but vast majority of audio interfaces can't even toggle between mono and stereo monitoring or properly route DAW+inputs together

 

I think if you have a nice channel strip, there's nothing wrong with adding a bit of EQing, compressing, or de-essing. Nothing that should be the final sound, only massage it a bit.

 

Trade up from the 'little' Soundcraft and Julia card..
https://www.soundcraft.com/en-US/products/signature-12-mtk

 

I have done it (printed eq/fx) rarely in the past but not unless I make a "clean" backup first. It just saves time and frustration later.