Help me choose between 2 audio devices

[Dniss]

Hi everyone!
I'll ask here because it seems there are many knowledgeable people.

I have 4 synths and I want to record them in my DAW. So I need an audio interface.

What should I get between Presonus AR18 mixer and Focusrite 18i20 3rd gen, strickly sound quality wise.

Cheers!
Den

PS Plz don't suggest other more pricey device. That's pretty much my budget.

[ef37a]

For sound quality I doubt the two devices could be told apart but that goes for almost any interface these days.

My choice would be the Focusrite because..

It has enough inputs (just, assuming each synth has stereo outs?)

It has ADAT so further expansion is possible.

It has DIN MIDI ports. I assume at least one synth has MIDI?

It is also vastly smaller. A mixer is a very useful tool but more suited to live work or 'big' studio productions?

Dave.

[Arpangel]

Another vote for the Focusrite, you can’t go wrong.

[Sam Spoons]

I'd ask "Do I want faders?". Both will get the job done and quality will not be an issue with either, especially with synths going direct. If you should record any acoustic instruments our vocals the quality will be down to the mics you have available and your room.

[Dniss]

Thanks for your kind replies. I really appreciate it.

I don't really need faders since synths have their own volume. Also they're all midi; I read the Focusrite integrates well with the DAW clock.

Don't hesitate if you want to add anything.

Thanks again and have a great day. Stay safe.
Den

[Drew Stephenson]

If you don't need the faders then I'd echo the suggestion of the focusrite.

[Dniss]

Thanks!
I like the Audient ASP800 better but it's over my budget and there's no midi.

[Arpangel]

Thanks!
I like the Audient ASP800 better but it's over my budget and there's no midi.

I’d focus on Focusrite...right?

[Sam Inglis]

Just wondering why you are not also considering the PreSonus Studio 1824C? That looks like a much more direct competitor for the Scarlett.

[James Perrett]

Thanks!
I like the Audient ASP800 better but it's over my budget and there's no midi.

The ASP800 isn't an audio interface. It is an 8 channel preamp with analogue to digital conversion which is intended to be used with devices that have an ADAT optical input.

Having no MIDI on an interface isn't really a problem unless you want to keep wiring to a minimum. A separate USB MIDI interface will work perfectly well with another audio interface.

[Dniss]

Thanks!
I like the Audient ASP800 better but it's over my budget and there's no midi.

I’d focus on Focusrite...right?

lol
Checking everything out!

[Dniss]

Just wondering why you are not also considering the PreSonus Studio 1824C? That looks like a much more direct competitor for the Scarlett.

To tell you the true, because I don't know better!

Now are they equivalent sound quality wise? I'm open to any suggestion.

Cheers!
Den

[Dniss]

Thanks!
I like the Audient ASP800 better but it's over my budget and there's no midi.

The ASP800 isn't an audio interface. It is an 8 channel preamp with analogue to digital conversion which is intended to be used with devices that have an ADAT optical input.

Having no MIDI on an interface isn't really a problem unless you want to keep wiring to a minimum. A separate USB MIDI interface will work perfectly well with another audio interface.

Yes, thanks for your input.
I didn't word that right, I do know you need an audio interface with it. Maybe in a near future because I really liked its rich sound. But getting both modules are slightly out of my price range for the moment.

Den

[CS70]

Now are they equivalent sound quality wise? I'm open to any suggestion.

Cheers!
Den

All these devices are of equal value (and pretty good) as sound quality goes. You really don’t need to worry about it.

The differences lay in features, channel number, usability and ergonomics of the control, ruggedness etc.

Something worth considering is the presence of onboard DSP - while it had nothing to do with sound quality, it allows you to have things like comfort reverb easily without incurring noticeable latency, regardless of what computer you are using.

I just used yesterday one of the interfaces I have around , the excellent Steinberg UR28M, and that made the difference between carrying a Lexicon box with me or not

[Dniss]

Hi CS70, thanks for your input.

That is the reason I wasn't sure between a Presonus mixer or a Focusrite audio interface. That mixer has many onboard effects. That could take a load off the DAW cpu.

Den

[CS70]

Yeah, on the other side there's the form factor - a mixer takes up more space than an interface and - all considered - most of the facilities it offer are redundant in a DAW studio setting. And something that can be said about a mixer is that it has more mechanical parts that can break or degrade - faders and pots.

If you plan a mixed use - live setting or location recording - it's definitely an option. If you exclusively work in the DAW, I'd rather check for an audio interface with onboard DSP.

[Dniss]

Those are great points. It's strictly for recording my synths. I don't plan on recording anything else really.

Cheers!
Den

[Dniss]

I just found out about the Berhinger XR18. I don't want to abuse your time but anyone knows if it sounds as good as Focusrite 18i20? It has more inputs.

Thanks!
Den

[Drew Stephenson]

I'd say it's a different tool for a different job - unless you need 18 simultaneous inputs, or are looking a future live use, I'd be sticking to the f'rite or the presonus that Sam suggested.
The Behringer is fundamentally a live mixer.

[Dniss]

Great!!
Thanks for your help guys.


Den

[Sam Spoons]

I have an XR12 (and a couple of X32s, the Compact is my main studio mixer/interface). Nowt wrong with them as an audio interface but they are not optimised for that job.

[Dniss]

Hi Sam!

They're more for live recordings, like miking a drum, I suppose. Its a nice package though, with the DAW integration.

Cheers!
Den

[The Elf]

If you can live with on-screen control then the XR18 is a really good piece of kit. I can recommend it without hesitation.

[Sam Spoons]

Yup, just what I was going to suggest, the XR12 works fine for a home studio interface but can only record two inputs at a time so not much use for serious live recording. The XR18 has the advantage that you can mix there live sound at the same time as recording a multitrack of the gig which an audio interface won't do.

[Dniss]

Got the Focusrite 18i20, very very happy with the results.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Den