If you're good at PC setup, a used old PCI or Firewire audio interface (especially one using TC's DICE controller) can be a bargain. Many have almost the same low latency performance as RME. DACs and ADCs haven't improved much in the last 20 years. USB is convenient and easy, but it's not great for low-latency audio. PCI and Firewire are much better and still are if you can get them to work.

 

Presonus AudioBox iTwo

Very good Windows and Mac drivers . Even in 2023 ....

 

Roland / Edirol FA-101

 

Presonus AudioBox iTwo

 

1 Which audio interface are you using?
a Lynx Hilo on Mac Studio DAW.
b Audient iD44 on Win 10 DAW.
c Ensoniq PARIS on Win 7 DAW.
d UA Apollo Twin X on Macbook Pro M1 DAW.

2 How long have you had your audio interface?
a Lynx Hilo one year.
b Audient iD44 two years.
c Ensoniq PARIS 25 years.
d UA Apollo Twin X, three years.

3 What advantages or disadvantages have you found with your audio interface?
a Lynx Hilo, Pro Mastering quality what goes in is what comes out, touch screen, expandable output cards, built to high standards, can work stand alone, but expensive, runs hot, with un-intuitive touch interface.
b Audient iD44, bang for the buck interface, clean fast fun, solid characterless preamps, easy to move around, with inserts after preamps, but is software dependent, and can't run stand alone.
c Ensoniq PARIS, sounds amazing with unique effects and character, built like a tank, parts are cheap today, but older PCI technology and software from early 2000's that has been abandoned. FWIW the PARIS converters are where the Burl designer started his journey.
d UA Apollo Twin X, DSP efx, thunderbolt fast, and mobile but average preamps, meh sounding converters, software dependent, and overpriced for what it is.

4 Are you professional or a hobby musician?
Pro engineer, producer, composer.

 

Last edited: Dec 17, 2023

Which audio interface are you using?

Focusrite Clarett 4Pre USB (the non-plus version, but that doesn't make much difference)

How long have you had your audio interface?

5 years.

What advantages or disadvantages have you found with your audio interface?

Pro: a lot of connectivity (external instruments/synths/mikes) for the price and physical dimensions; audio quality, software, drivers, latency are all great

Con:

• volume pots will wear out after +/- 2 years and then you'll need to soldier a replacement (which Focusrite usually offers free of charge)
• my unit completely failed after 5 years which is not very long for a mid-range interface

=> would not buy again for these reasons

Replaced it with a Motu UltraLite mk5 which is a very similar interface but features digital volume controls which cannot wear out. Cannot evaluate this one yet as it's too new, but for now it seems like a superior alternative to the Clarett for the same price.

Are you professional or a hobby musician?

Hobby

 

Last edited: Dec 17, 2023

Perfect, Thanks a lot

Lynx Hilo



Audient iD44


Ensoniq PARIS

 

Excellent, thank you

Focusrite Clarett 4Pre USB

 

PARIS was expandable, and it was the Pro Tools killer of its time, on par with Radar II systems. Lone Star's "Amazed" and Alecia Key's "Fallen" we recorded and mixed in PARIS along with many other hits. When Ensoniq was bought out it was later abandoned, but it still sounds fantastic to this day and I love it because it has a unique sound modern interfaces can't touch. When people say DAW's don't have a sound, I laugh and just point at PARIS as it has a sound and character its own because of custom DSP chips, unique converter design, and custom software (PARIS even had internal drive-able saturation 15 years before anyone). PARIS was best Ensoniq could make, and 25 years later it still shines. In a world where everyone uses the same modern clean tools, PARIS is the tool I use to gain an advantage. One look at the MEC design and you clearly see where the Burl inspiration comes from.







https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/ensoniq-paris-ii
https://www.audiotechnology.com/PDF/REVIEWS/Ensoniq_Paris_Issue_1.pdf
https://rapmag.com/a/98/nov98/ensoniq-paris-review
https://www.mixonline.com/recording...iller-and-brian-tankersleys-gbt-studio-372685

 

Last edited: Dec 17, 2023

I have Ensoniq Gears in my studio and have to confirm that the company has produced absolutely outstanding equipment.