New interface shopping: M2 vs. iD4 MKII

Discussion in 'Soundgear' started by marblesoda, Jun 18, 2021.

  1. Dimentagon

    Dimentagon Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2018
    Messages:
    431
    Likes Received:
    296
    Location:
    The Microshperic Anomaly
    I got 2 x id14's fantastic interfaces Highly recommended. I'm running my Apogee ensemble via light pipe into one and it works perfectly. The onboard Pres are awesome, the Headphone amp is fantastic and I absolutely love the control panel mixer with zero-latency monitoring off the input.. The Di in is fantastic for instruments..Rock-solid drivers!!. can't recommend it more highly
     
  2. Mr Happy

    Mr Happy Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2021
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    11
    Go for the Audient and treat your headphones to a proper headphone amp. Most integrated headphone amps on audio interfaces are not ideal for headphones with those sort of ohms.
     
  3. BEAT16

    BEAT16 Audiosexual

    Joined:
    May 24, 2012
    Messages:
    9,082
    Likes Received:
    6,990
    Hello @marblesoda, please read it:
    Audient Headphone Amplifiers & Safe SPL Levels
    https://support.audient.com/hc/en-us/articles/205565985-Audient-Headphone-Amplifiers-Safe-SPL-Levels
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2021
  4. quadcore64

    quadcore64 Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2011
    Messages:
    1,753
    Likes Received:
    961
    In late 2021. I would highly recommend the Audient iD4 II over the Zoom UAC-2 (iD4 up to 600 ohm headphones - UAC-2 32 ohm). Under that I would recommend the Steingberg UR22c (up to 150 ohm headphones). All three are true USB3 devices.
     
  5. reaktor

    reaktor Producer

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    Messages:
    116
    Likes Received:
    83
    Location:
    geneva
    i have M2 :wink:
     
  6. mrichi

    mrichi Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2020
    Messages:
    151
    Likes Received:
    83
    One I would recommend for the next pricing level.
     
  7. poly

    poly Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2016
    Messages:
    278
    Likes Received:
    170
    Location:
    Hä?
    But USB3 is in most cases useless, see the new RME Fireface UCX II interface.
    Still USB2 with 40 in/outs in full bandwidth data transfer!
     
  8. Pipotron3000

    Pipotron3000 Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2013
    Messages:
    1,228
    Likes Received:
    614
    Same with MIDI : they kept USB 1.1 for a LONG time
    Because USB2+ was USELESS for MIDI bandwidth

    But ppl speak about USB without even knowing the word "bandwidth" ...
     
  9. Dimentagon

    Dimentagon Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2018
    Messages:
    431
    Likes Received:
    296
    Location:
    The Microshperic Anomaly
    Not as useless as that comment :rofl: Although you're correct USB2 is great and I ditched all my firewire interfaces (I use my Apogee Ensemble in standalone mode into the Audient ID14 via optical); most manufacturers have moved onto the 3 or C standard.
     
  10. Kluster

    Kluster Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2018
    Messages:
    645
    Likes Received:
    585
    Still loving my Zoom UAC-2 USB 3 interface.
    Updated the driver and system software today.
    Sounds better than ever with my new guitars and amp sims :)
     
  11. poly

    poly Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2016
    Messages:
    278
    Likes Received:
    170
    Location:
    Hä?
    Ah cewl, don't know that USB3 makes audio sounds better! :bleh:
     
  12. secretworld

    secretworld Kapellmeister

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2018
    Messages:
    141
    Likes Received:
    74
    I love my Babyface pro FS. Has 2 headphones amps. Hi and low impedance.
     
  13. fiction

    fiction Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2011
    Messages:
    1,889
    Likes Received:
    687
    Nice choice of options here :wink:
    I just wouldn't want to have a separate headphones amp though, if an audio interface can't deliver a good one in 2021 then I'd skip it.
     
  14. Moonlight

    Moonlight Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2011
    Messages:
    2,470
    Likes Received:
    760
    Location:
    Earth
    Motu M2 @ macOS 11.5.1, 44.1kHz

    I love :
    • The USB-C Connector, others have fragile mini USB <--- this one !
    • The overall build quality
    • The BIG smooth Volume Knob
    • Build in phantom power
    • The display
    • The sound of the DAC (imo sounds better than my previous RME Multiface II) !
    • Helpful support
    • Its behavior when clipping or dropout, it sounds much smoother and less harsh than a RME Multiface II
    • The Phone's output work s perfectly with my Sennheiser HD650

    I like less :
    • That you have to power cycle it, if connected to a HUB to make it work after restart. (connected directly to the computer is OK)
      (I sometimes use the interface with my PC to game a lil' bit :) so i have to plug it to the pc, it would be more convenient if I could just plug all stuff to a hub ...)
      MOTU is aware of this issue and hopefully fix it some day. Maybe I should just get a USB switch :)

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  15. mrichi

    mrichi Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2020
    Messages:
    151
    Likes Received:
    83
    Useless to you. For those who need steady bi-directional communication & transfer with minimal latency, USB3 (USB 3.1, Gen 1) & Thunderbolt 3/4 are very useful.

    An older Firewire interface with a good driver puts USB to shame. Especially the Firewire 800 devices.
     
  16. mrichi

    mrichi Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2020
    Messages:
    151
    Likes Received:
    83
    USB is a data digital data transfer protocol. Not an audio protocol. The s determined by the A-D & D-A converters at either end along with, sample rate and the inital quality of the audio.

    There is an old saying in the audio industry. "BS in, BS out"
     
  17. quadcore64

    quadcore64 Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2011
    Messages:
    1,753
    Likes Received:
    961
    Think you meant the next, lower, pricing level. Yes?
     
  18. mrichi

    mrichi Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2020
    Messages:
    151
    Likes Received:
    83
    Yes...you, are correct.
     
Loading...
Similar Threads - interface shopping MKII Forum Date
Logic Pro Error: selected audio interface is not available Logic Mar 18, 2024
RME Interfaces - Pros / Cons / Advice Soundgear Feb 28, 2024
Need advice about new audio interface to lower midi latency Soundgear Feb 25, 2024
Change of interface Soundgear Feb 10, 2024
Monitor and interface levels Soundgear Jan 15, 2024
Loading...