Audio interface recommendations

Audio

Audio interface recommendations

Posted by Jeff Levesque on September 9, 2019 at 4:53 pm

I’m looking for advice on audio interfaces. I’m putting together two DAWs. One will be strictly for multi-tracking audio. The other will be an editing machine (both audio and video.) My budget for two interfaces is under $400 (the further under the better) so I’m looking at used gear.

For the multi-tracker, I’m wanting 8 analog ins. Mic pres are not an absolute necessity, but if there is an increase in quality over my mixing board (Mackie 1604-VLZ PRO), for a small increase in cost, I’d consider spending more. It seems like a lack of mic pres doesn’t necessarily lower cost. In researching this purchase I’ve also discovered that compatibility can be an easily overlooked issue (especially when combining older gear with a newer OS.) My multi-tracking machine is built on an Asus M5A97 R2.0 motherboard running Widows 10. Recording software tbd by interface.

For the editing workstation, I need 2 analog ins and 6 outs. Again, mic pres are not a necessity. This workstation is a HP Z820 running Windows 10. Editing software is Vegas Pro 15.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Jeff

Craig Williams replied 6 years, 6 months ago 4 Members · 3 Replies
3 Replies

Ty Ford
September 11, 2019 at 5:00 pm

HI Jeff and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

I’m a Mac guy and having heard stories about problems with software that runs great on Mac, but awkward and poorly on PC, I can’t, in good heart, make any recommendations because it’s how the software and firmware work with the hardware.

I’m using Pro Tools 11 with a Digi 003R with eight inputs coming in optically via an RME ADI-8 DS on one mac and a Sound Devices Mix PreD coming into my other Mac via usb to Apple Logic Pro.

Let’s see who jumps in…..you might also try GearSlutz.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

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Carla Gaviria
September 15, 2019 at 2:33 pm

I maybe missunderstood, but, if you are looking for some audio editing software, you can maybe try audacity pro. It’s free in all its versions, and has a lot of compatibilities with all the free plugins that audacity team has develop for the community.

You can spend maybe the money in some other interfaces such as Autotune PRO. That is more expensive and i think as the music industrie goes, that may be a lifetime good buy.
Craig Williams
November 6, 2019 at 9:30 pm

I think it may be tough to find something for under $400 with the amount of outs you want. I wish I could be more help but this is the best I could find:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UR28M–steinberg-ur28m-usb-audio-interface-and-monitor-controller

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Craig’s Blog: British Voice Over Blog.

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