• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Need a solid audio interface

G

GJSNeptune

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Mar 31, 2004
Messages
12,372
I can't decide on an audio interface. I'm learning towards something that uses Firewire, but everything affordable seems to be greatly flawed or all-around mediocre. Previously it was between M-Audio's Firewire Solo or Fast Track Pro (USB). Both seem to be pretty shoddy. I feel like I could spend just a little more to get something exponentially better.

I need a guitar input, an XLR mic input, and a MIDI input. That's it. I want to record stuff I'm working on and have it sound good enough to overlay drums, bass, and other voices, but it doesn't have to be album-ready. My brother works at a studio, so I can head over there if I ever want to cut an album.

I was aiming for something $150-200, but it seems I may have to fork over a bit more. Any solid recommendations under $300?

EDIT: Oh yeah, this interface will also become my soundcard, so audio playback needs to be much better than onboard.
 
I'm reluctant to get a PCI card because of the possibility to pick up system noise.
 
The Echo Gina 3G looks very promising. Just about every reputable retailer has it for $280. I do have a $50 Guitar Center gift card.

Amazon has the Focusrite Saffire LE for $250. It has more than I need, but it does have MIDI.

I'll be using a Shure SM58 for vocals. I've read that the Saffire LE's preamps aren't loud enough for dynamic mics, so I'll probably have to find an inexpensive preamp.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Where did you hear that the Saffire's pres aren't sufficient for dynamics? Focusrite's low-end pres are generally "sufficient" for most anything.

If you're currently enrolled in school (any school, for just about anything), you can get educational discounts on Pro Tools LE systems, which could bring you under $320 or so for an Mbox 2. Otherwise, the cheapest I see available for non-educational purchases is $370 from a reputable online dealer. While the Mbox 2 likely isn't any better than the Saffire, it does give you the option to run Pro Tools which is advantageous when you want to transport sessions from studio to studio. Pro Tools LE sessions are directly transportable to HD systems (and vice versa), so you wouldn't have to deal with OMF to get transportable sessions. Something to keep in mind, anyway.

If you already have another DAW you're working with, obviously don't really even consider a Digidesign interface.
 
I've read several forum posts of people claiming their SM58 wasn't very loud with the Saffire LE.

I've been out of school for (ugh) almost three years.

So far I really like the Saffire LE. Musician's Friend has an ART Tube MP mic preamp for $35 shipped. Not too bad, and it's highly-rated.
 
Just checked Craigslist and someone has selling a slightly-used Saffire Pro for $300. I don't want rack stuff though.
 
Musician's Friend's stupid deal of the day has the E-MU 1820 for $250. It's way more than I need. Has a ton of inputs and outputs. It has a breakout box but also a PCI card, so I'd be worried with extraneous noises. Seems like a good product though.
 
I know you said you're looking for firewire, but if you'd "settle" for USB 2.0, the E-MU 0404 USB is amazing. It's got 2 combo mic pre-amp/Hi-Z/Line Inputs with phantom power (not needed for SM58), soft limiter, MIDI interface, direct monitoring, headphone amp, 2 quarter-inch outputs, 1 eighth-inch output, and 2 digital ins/outs (coax and optical). I use mine with an Alesis Micron and Shure SM-58 mic, guitar, etc. Works great, awesome sound quality. Here's a link to the specs http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=15185&nav=technicalSpecifications.
If memory serves me, it cost around $180. Well worth it for such a versatile box. Can I ask why you want firewire over USB 2.0?
 
Firewire devices claim to have less latency, and I have plenty of USB devices already so there could always be conflicts.

Another reason why I'm really liking the Saffire LE is because people say it has great sound quality. Whatever interface I get is going to become my soundcard, so it definitely needs to be top-notch there.

Someone on Craigslist is selling a NIB Saffire for $295. I told him Amazon has it for $300. He emailed me back and said "$250." Basically I could get the Saffire (which has a DSP) for the same price as the Saffire LE. The only problem is that he lives about thirty minutes away.
 
Why even ask if you aren't going to take people's advice? It seems like you already picked out what you wanted.
 
Technically you said you were leaning toward Firewire, so people made some USB recommendations as well. Then you said you didn't want USB (among other things). It's a little confusing.

There's really nothing wrong with USB. It has its limitations, but increased latency generally isn't one of them. Manufacturers may talk about Firewire being the Holy Grail, but they aren't necessarily always truthful about USB vs. Firewire when it comes to audio interfaces, nor are they necessarily honest about anything else for that matter.
 
Well believe me, I've meticulously researched every suggestion with Google and retailer websites.

I'm still tempted by the $250 Saffire. Not big on the white, but DSP is nice. It's interesting that he knocked off $50 after I told him Amazon had it for $300. He lists it as NIB.
 
GJSNeptune said:
I don't want USB.
Click to expand...


Why not? All MBs have USB buy not many come with Firewire. I guess that is a non issue though if you have your own PCI Firewire card. I use EMU 0404 USB and you will be hard pressed to find something better for the money.
 
phide said:
Technically you said you were leaning toward Firewire, so people made some USB recommendations as well. Then you said you didn't want USB (among other things). It's a little confusing.

There's really nothing wrong with USB. It has its limitations, but increased latency generally isn't one of them. Manufacturers may talk about Firewire being the Holy Grail, but they aren't necessarily always truthful about USB vs. Firewire when it comes to audio interfaces, nor are they necessarily honest about anything else for that matter.
Click to expand...

Yea, considering audiophile level headphone amps with built in DACs use USB I would say the USB vs Firewire angle is a non issue. I don't now one headphone amp that uses Firewire instead of USB but there may be one or two out there.
 
Klob said:
Yea, considering audiophile level headphone amps with built in DACs use USB I would say the USB vs Firewire angle is a non issue. I don't now one headphone amp that uses Firewire instead of USB but there may be one or two out there.
Click to expand...

Just to point out that someone wanting just clean audio output for listening only does not care about latency one bit. However someone recording and doing mixing cares a GREAT deal about latency.
 
m1abram said:
Just to point out that someone wanting just clean audio output for listening only does not care about latency one bit. However someone recording and doing mixing cares a GREAT deal about latency.
Click to expand...

Yea, and all decent USB recording devices have Asio driver for that reason.
 
Klob said:
But your next mb might not.My Asus P5K has 2 eSata ports but my next mb might have none. USB 3.0 will be availalbe soon and will be even better than Firewire anyway.
Click to expand...

I just built this rig, and I intend to use it for at least a couple years. I usually search for motherboards with Firewire, and who's to say Firewire won't come out with a new version? ;)

I ordered a Focusrite Saffire off eBay for $245. The seller claims to be an authorized retailer too.
 
You seem to have a raging hard-on for firewire. Satisfy your urge. My clue is pointing at my 0404 USB. Just don't shoot clue goo all over it whatever you choose
 
Did anyone read this yet?

GJSNeptune said:
I ordered a Focusrite Saffire off eBay for $245. The seller claims to be an authorized retailer too.
Click to expand...

I don't have an erection for Firewire. Do you or anyone else here have one for USB? I said I was leaning towards Firewire and I still am. I'm glad you like your 0404. I'll let everyone know how I like my Saffire.

Bottom line was that the Saffire has DSP and both it and the LE version have great sound quality for playback and music in general. If the Saffire were USB, it would've been a strong contender still.
 
I got it this past Friday, and so far so awesome. The playback sound quality is excellent. Possibly magical. I thought my A5 speakers lacked bass, but the Saffire pumps it out. Onboard audio never again! While the lows have improved, I'll still get a sub sometime.

I'm definitely glad I found the Saffire on eBay for the same price as the LE version at Amazon. I'm sure the LE sounds great, but having an onboard DSP is comforting. I haven't recorded with it yet, as I didn't have the cables I needed until Saturday, but I didn't have much time to mess around. Plus my computer area is a mess. My brother might stop by tonight to help me optimize my setup and help position my mic and everything.

Another plus over the LE version is two headphone outputs, each with its own volume knob. Both outputs are hot, so you can get playback through your headphones and your monitors at the same time, or you can turn the volume all the way down on one of them.

I'm using my motherboard's s/pdif out to the Saffire's s/pdif in. Since the Audioengine A5 speakers have only a 1/8 input, I had to order a stereo 1/8 male to two 1/4 mono Y-cable. It should come within the next few days. Once it arrives, I'll be connecting my monitors to the Saffire's Left and Right channel outputs.

I did plug in my guitar and fiddled around a bit wearing headphones and listening with my monitors. The sound quality might be a little too good. I better get to practicing. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top