Hey everyone! I’m building myself a rack for my little bedroom studio. I’ve already got three units for my rack and the materials to build the actual rack itself. I’ve got a headphone amp, power conditioner and patchbay, the next thing I want to get is a interface as the one I have now is the Presonus Audiobox Go, small compact and easy but I want to upgrade to something better and add the interface into my rack setup I’m working on. I’ve been browsing around for awhile and have found two interfaces I like and are in my price range. The two I’ve found are the Fender Quantum LT 16 and the Presonus Studio 1824 C. I would love to hear if anyone has opinions on this, suggestions or advice regarding choosing an interface or alternatives to consider. I’m hoping to not spend over 500! Thank you anyone who offers help in advance, much appreciated !

 

You should get something of higher quality, and therefore more expensive:

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen - 670 EUR
https://www.thomann.de/de/focusrite_scarlett_18i20_4th_gen.htm

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen – USB Audio Interface Review (Air Mode, Talkback and more!)

 

Do you REALLY need so much inputs ?
If not, take an half rack audio interface

Like PreSonus Studio 68c

 

You say small bedroom. Are you just recording yourself? If so, why get a rack unit when all you'd need is a single, double or quad inputs tops? Are you wanting a rack just because you have a rack? I'm curious because if it's a small bedroom setup, why the need for lots of I/O you'd never use.

I have an NI Audio 6 v1 I've been using the past 8 years. i just got the SSL 2 mkII. Krause's in depth review of budget I/O's he placed this unit in the 'excellent' category. In his opinion of course

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2026 at 2:35 PM

universal audio apollo and a buch of apollo plugins (no more ram or resources on plugins)

 

If I had to buy a new one, it would definitely be an RME.

 

Hey hey,
If your budget allows it, I would recommend to take a look at the RME Babyface pro FS.
As for every RME device: very small, stable drivers, the best ADDA converters you can get, just simple, reliable and high-quality.
I have it on my desk and I'm happy about my investment every day. (No 19" rack format)
My favorite tool is the big jog wheel encoder, that works as a volume controller for main speakers, headphones, control room, bla bla...
...and the case is made of massive aluminum, so you don't push it across the table when you press a button

 

Since these threads all turn into people recommending whatever they have, I'm using a Motu 828ES rack unit and it's great. It's outside of your budget but not by much. If you got one used, from what I see, they are about $700 now. RME or UAD units are about 2-3 times more for the same/similar amount of I/O rack units.

I have no idea if it will be any good for your purposes, because you haven't given any details about that. Since many users of UA interfaces never needed external DSP plugins in the first place, you can find a lot of their smaller interfaces for sale used at good prices now; from users who have switched to native plugins. Rack unit models, not so much.

828es specs:

Spoiler

Here are the detailed I/O and core specs for the MOTU 828es, a rack-mount pro audio interface with a lot of flexibility for studio or live use:

Digital Audio & Sample Rates
• 24-bit audio resolution, up to 192 kHz sample rate.

Analog Inputs
• 2 × XLR/TRS combo mic/line/instrument inputs with digitally controlled preamps (≈ 0 – +63 dB gain).
• 8 × ¼″ TRS line-level inputs (balanced/unbalanced).

Analog Outputs
• 8 × ¼″ TRS balanced line outputs (DC coupled).
• Additional analog sends and multiple main outputs via XLR (depending on routing).
• 2 × stereo ¼″ headphone outputs with independent volume.

Digital I/O
• 2 banks of ADAT optical I/O (16 channels total at base sample rates).
• SMUX optical for higher-rate ADAT (8 channels at doubled rates).
• Switchable optical (TOSLink) S/PDIF on ADAT Bank A, plus RCA S/PDIF I/O up to 96 kHz.

Total I/O Channel Count (depending on sample rate)
• Up to 28 inputs / 32 outputs (60 channels) at normal rates (44.1–96 kHz).
• Reduced counts at higher rates (e.g., ~20 in / 24 out at 2× rates, ~10 in / 14 out at 4× rates).

Computer & Network Connectivity
• Thunderbolt 1 port (compatible with TB2/TB3 via adapters).
• USB 2.0 audio class-compliant port.
• AVB/TSN Ethernet for networked I/O expansion with other AVB-equipped gear (up to 128×128 channels over network).

MIDI & Sync
• MIDI In & Out.
• Word Clock In/Out plus Timecode I/O, useful for external sync and multi-device setups.

Other Features
• Built-in DSP mixing engine with up to 48 input mixer, aux busses, dynamics/EQ, reverb and more (console mixing inside the unit).
• Low latency performance (~1.6 ms round-trip over Thunderbolt at 96 kHz).

Typical Use Case
This interface excels when you want lots of analog + digital I/O, network expansion via AVB, internal DSP mixing, and flexible routing with pro-grade converters — all at higher sample rates up to 192 kHz.

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2026 at 4:24 PM

Could we get some info on your use-case for the amount of inputs a rack mounted audio interface? I use like 2-3 at most so really curious if you're mic-ing up drums or patching in multiple analog synths, etc.

Regardless, saving a bit more would be my recommendation, especially if you're wanting to go for something in your rack, but be sure to check if the money could be better spent elsewhere or spread out towards something else and a non-rack audio interface depending on use-case.

Audient, Motu or RME are great reliable choices. I've been using an Audient ID44 at home and an Audient ID4 while travelling.

Glad to see you've got a dedicated headphone amp too that's been a real treat for me, have the FiiO K11 R2R at home and the FiiO KA17 while travelling and quite satisfied with both.

 

Just let this sink in: I got my RME Babyface Pro for almost 10 years now!

Is it worth to pay more? Yes!

https://rme-audio.de/de_babyface-pro-fs.html

 

I know that Personus Go feels cheap, but don't be fooled, it is a very decent interface.
I bought one because I needed something small and I was really impressed. It sounds good and it has extremely low latencies. So I would say: If you don't need more Inputs / Outputs just buy a 19" screw-in compartment and put it in there. If you need more I/O plus rack mount but don't have money: Behringer is ok now. They're not as bad as they were. If you want something decent from a company that writes its driver's themselves: Steinberg Interfaces (Yamaha makes the hardware). If you want a tank you're gonna survive an atomic war with from a company that writes it's driver's themselves and will support your device in 20 years from now: RME.
If you're on PC: Buy anything, just don't buy Motu, they don't care about PC people.

 

Not for that reason alone, because you can see the same thing with many manufacturer's interfaces. Hours of usage and energized would be a better example of lifespan measurement. Look at used interfaces and see how many old units are for sale due to changes in technology, not because they failed somehow.

Yeah, it's very tough for a company to create Windows drivers. My Motu works just fine on Windows 10.

But humor me this, for everyone suggesting RME, Which RME are you going to buy with the original post "budget of 500"? Or did we all just start replying to a thread without even reading the first post? Maybe RME interfaces truly are idiot-proof.

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2026 at 6:12 PM

My old Yamaha AG03 spent around 2000+ days powered on and still works. Retired now, but still proudly displayed in an enclosure, since it's a limited edition. It's like, a fraction of an RME Babyface and still supported since Yamaha drivers are top notch.

 

Can't people read?

OP is asking for something under 500$ and with around 16+ inputs to build a rig.
What's up with people reciting the names of their favorite companies and interfaces like zombies? I get it, you want everyone to know that you own an RME because you're a really cool and important producer, but is it under 500$ and has 18 inputs?

If it is, I'll get one too.

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2026 at 6:55 PM

There is NOTHING about "16+ inputs.
Only the fact he seen TWO interfaces.
That's all.

Ok another sterile thread.
I'm out ...