Any suggestions on which Audio Interface to buy?

[TerMc]

I am shopping for a quality audio interface in the $200 to $400 range. Any suggestions?

[rACed2]

I would suggest you identify how many inputs and outputs you want and whereabouts you are (eg is your reference to dollars one of USA dollars, Australian Dollars, Singaporean Dollars).

[ef37a]

I would suggest you identify how many inputs and outputs you want and whereabouts you are (eg is your reference to dollars one of USA dollars, Australian Dollars, Singaporean Dollars).

+1. And be very wary of manufacturers published specifications when it comes to quoted connectivity.
Many are specified as "4 in 4 out" when in fact there are only two ANALOGUE inputs and outputs the other pair being the digital, S/PDIF format. Good to have but not immediately useful as a connection. Some makers have also included MIDI i/o in the spec' and blatantly called the AI "six by six"!! There is a system called ADAT that can add a further 8 inputs (and usually outputs)but again be aware that this needs additional equipment.

You also need to be sure of how many microphone inputs you need. Most units in your budget range will have only two and that is fine for the majority of "one man band" home recordists. It is however useful to have an additional two line inputs and outputs, costs little more and gives a bit of future proofing. One such 2mic,2 line, 4 out AI is the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6.

It is also as cheap as chips (sorry!) to include MIDI i/o so beware those penny pinchers that don't!

Finally, I bet there is at least one back article in SoS about choosing an interface?

Dave.

[ConcertinaChap]

If you type the words "audio interface" into the Search SoS box above you will get a whole lot of detailed reviews that should help winnow your choices down a bit. Here, I've done it for you: www.soundonsound.com/search?Keyword=audio+interface.

CC

[ef37a]

If you type the words "audio interface" into the Search SoS box above you will get a whole lot of detailed reviews that should help winnow your choices down a bit. Here, I've done it for you: <a href="/search?Keyword=audio+interface" target="_blank">www.soundonsound.com/search?Keyword=audio+interface</a>.

CC

Yeah but it don't have the best'un CC! The KA6.

Dave.

[ConcertinaChap]

Well there you are, TerMc, Dave's got it all sorted for you

CC

[Zukan]

Been using the TC Impact Twin for a few months now and it's very flexible and does what it says on the tin.

[Martin Walker]

It comes in a tin ?!?!!

I thought they were rather more professionally built than that

Martin

[Zukan]

Old school.