Your Top 5 Audio Interface Recommendation..

Hey Gents..Im in the market for a USB Audio Interface..

What is your all recommendation for USB Audio Interface that you had tremendous success with?

I've done allot of work and research on my own, but I trust all your judgement before I pull the plug
on buying a Interface..

Looking at a Price Range of $500 to $800,

I been leaning towards this.. from musiciansfriend ----> Antelope Audio Zen Go Synergy Core USB-C Audio Interface.. I would put a link in but don't know if that's allowed.

Cant wait to hear what you guys are currently using..

Sooooo, What's your recommendation for USB Audio Interface that you had tremendous success with
that's over $500 dollars?

Edit: Please Note: Single Musician: I/O are not that much of a Concern...Pre's and A/D audio converters are more Important..

Thx Gents... Rob
========================================================================
Edit:3/30/2021 Update..
Thank You all for chiming in for your recommendation.
I narrow it down to the RME Babyface Pro FS 24-channel USB Audio Interface.
I'm going to give it it a try, however if I don't find it very intuitive were the TotalMix
maybe a bit of a learning curve..I'll send it back..

 

Last edited: Mar 31, 2021

i get apollo or the new arturia ...

 

I've been thinking about Antelope to upgrade my mobile interface.

I've never gone for it because I've also never had the chance to actually mess around with one, which is what is causing my procrastination. I am curious and I don't need much connectivity as I have other larger interfaces more suited to the task for that, but I do hold it against Antelope that the Zen Go has no ADAT or MADI ->|<-.

If anyone has some first hand knowledge on Antelope's interfaces I would like to hear about it. My main goal is to avoid headaches and use shit that just works like it is supposed to. The last think I want is anything that requires messing around with drivers or installing weird shit or weird behavior.

Maybe when things open up again I'll get to mess with one, I am always hesitant to buy shit I've never messed with around a bit.

 

Apollo Twin X

 

I am currently checking out for that as well.
But it's hard to give recommendations, without knowing a bit more of your needs.
How many Line ins and outs, what kind of digital connections, more itb or otb,
are you more of a single musician, or want to rec a complete band, need midi, etc.

Anyway, my research led me to three candidates:
- Arturia AudioFuse Studio (800 €)
- Audient id44 (550 €)
- RME Fireface 802 (1.300 €)

Just to throw in some ideas.

 

Yes, it is allowed, you can put a link.

 

single musician.. I/O are not that much of a Concern...Pre's and A/D audio converters are more Important..
Thx for you reply.. I will edit this in my Post

 

- Audient
- RME
- Apogee
- Universal Audio
- Antelope

not sure about arturia. Some of their hardware stuff has not the best quality and the customer service is horrible for ages.
Specs on their Audio Interface looks nice though

 

Im with you on not as well JMOUTTON..The antelope audio zen tour got Raving Reviews and with the Zen Go,the Pre's and A/D audio converters are the same as the Zen Tour..

 

I like your list,,

 

For a few bucks more, I cant recommend this enough:

https://motu.com/products/proaudio/828es

Super stable, modular in design with its routing matrix and basically future proof.

I also own a UA Twin but I could never go back after using the 828es.

 

anything will do, a lot of good interface in the market for that price range. just make sure it has ADAT, extra line out plus few other features for future expansion.

 

The things I am most interested in the Antelope's are the onboard DSP. Without the DSP and FPGA I wouldn't be tempted to step away from my comfort zone. I'm more than comfortable with the UAD stuff but I have an itch to try something else, maybe...

I don't think the Antelope/UAD interfaces are worth considering if you are not set on using the on-board DSP.

 

======================================================================================================

TheRiddler303 said:
- Audient
- RME
- Apogee
- Universal Audio
- Antelope

Im checking out the Audient iD44 and its getting rave reviews on Sweetwater..

Yes, if we are set on-board DSP Antelope/UAD then it might be the choice and Im like you, not to sure..
Thats what I like about this forum is that getting other users of there opinions and to help us make an informed decision.

But I think the Audient iD44 is starting to get very interesting over the Zen Pro..

Your thoughts on the Audient iD44 JMOUTTON?

 

Your price range puts many I would suggest out of budget. I had been using a Scarlett 18i20 which is a nice interface functionally. But I have ways of getting audio into the computer via S/Pdif and Adat Optical; which bypasses the convertors. The convertors are why I wanted to upgrade. They are not bad, just nothing great. A lot of connectivity for the money.

I ordered a UAD Solo thinking it would be a nice path for recording 1/4" sources, but a few things bothered me about it. Mostly, that it was only USB Bus powered. That is more an issue to me because I have a lot of USB gear running off a MacBook Pro's 4 ports. I switched out the Solo and got a Twin MK2. It arrived DOA, and I tried to contact UAD tech support. They have very banker-like hours and the tech support number listed did not even work. So I returned it also and paid the difference to get a MOTU 828ES, having used MOTU gear for 20 years I know they are dependable as a company. The interface works fine, has good connectivity features; the HTTP based software is not ideal. The routing is a bit overcomplicated, and I have noticed it disassociates from the computer somewhat randomly. The convertors are clearly not as pristine as the UAD's; by no stretch of the imagination. I am very much considering switching it out for another model UAD Apollo, but now my little interface upgrade will be around the 1500 mark. I have too many HW synths I want to record as nicely as possible, so the digital I/O route is just too time consuming. (and I like my analog desk).

Someone I work with often has had a good amount of noise issues with the RME babyface. I used to work using an Apogee AD8000 for years and monetary concerns aside, I would probably be trying a current Apogee next.

I can't put together a list of devices, because a lot of how they end up working out for you comes down to external factors. What OS, how many sound sources and their connectivity, your comfort with the software; all factor in substantially.

 

==============================================================================================================

Okay, Universal Audio Apollo,I'll take a look, However, what is HTTP based software.. Does that mean you have to be online to run there Pugins?
Im looking at this..https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...ge-edition-usb-c-audio-interface-with-uad-dsp Thx Clone..Rob

 

Yeah, but things have definitely changed for the better with their newer M2 and M4 models.

 

I was in your shoes last year I went for the ID44 great sound card ,and also great monitor controller, pretty expendable with 2 ADAT ports .

 

@mrrnr

I think if you don't want the onboard DSP then the Audient gives you more for the same amount of money.
Some the newer MOTU interfaces with AVB and DSP light as are also stellar choices in that price range.

 

i love it. preamp sounds smooth and round. had an apogee before and needed more I/O options.
id44 gives me al options i need. antelope was out of my price range for multiple i/o's. i dont think its only useful when you use the dsps. its clean and has pristine converters.

on drivers side, rme has for ages the best drivers on the market and amazing customer support. i only had troubles with apogee drivers for several models, since apple started to fiddle on their OS security and apogee also rolled out windows drivers. dont know how often a week i had to reconnect my apogee interface to make it run at start and i wasnt alone on this. so wouldnt go so fast with an apogee anymore.