Audio/MIDI interface for live use

[sonics]

I'm looking for a simple audio/MIDI interface for live use.
Something with a reliable driver and low latency for use with software instruments.

I need a 5-pin MIDI input, at least one mic input, and two (or perhaps four) outputs.
USB connection to an HP laptop a few years old running Windows 10.

What should I be considering?
I know that almost anything available these days will probably work fine, but does anybody have any particular success stories?
Price isn't really an issue; reliability is.

I have a PreSonus 1810 as a reference, but bus power would be nice.

Thanks everybody!

[Luke W]

If a sturdy build and driver reliability are high on the list them RME is usually a safe bet. How about a Babyface Pro? That would give you almost everything mentioned, but you'd have two outputs rather than four.

[James Perrett]

The Zoom U-44 that I use would fit the bill as far as ins and outs are concerned but its drivers aren't up to RME's standard. If you need reliable low latency then I'd agree with Luke - go for RME.

[sonics]

RME would be my first choice however the BabyFace Pro seems to be made of unobtanium ATM, and is not at all live-friendly either.
I would like individual level controls on the front, and no breakout cables for MIDI.

(BTW, I use RME interfaces in my studio machines).

[ef37a]

I have never had one but from everything I have read for the last ten years here and other places, RME is the best bet.

They are however quite pricey and eminently 'nickable' so I will strongly suggest the MOTU M2 or M4 which gives you 2 more line inputs and outputs.

Prior to getting the M4 I would have recommended the Native Instruments KA6 but the M4 is operationally better IMHO and the people rather more easy to talk to than NI.

Both have PROPER DIN MIDI ports. Not a real audio interface without IMO!

Dave.

[tacitus]

I’ve just got a Roland Rubik44 so I can record multiple mikes straight to iPad. I’m away on holiday now and I barely tried it before leaving home, but it seems pretty solid, has DIN midi in/out and seems to sound as good as anything does in my hands.

The 24 model has two ins and outs rather than the 4 on my 44. The metal case and relatively old-fashioned knobs put me in mind of the ART twin DI units, which must be about the same size as the 2-channel Rubik24 version.

It usually takes me 15 years or so to do serious damage to any Roland kit; a dangerous truism to rely on after a couple of days’ actual use …

I’ll be trying it as a live tool for my keyboards, but unless there’s a system “gotcha” that gets in the way I’m pretty sure it’ll be trouble free.

[The Elf]

NI KA6 has been reliable and (I think) fits your requirements.

[MarkOne]

I’ve been using a Focusrite Scarlet 2i4 (which I think has been superseded by the 4i4)

Bus power, proper DIN MIDI, class compliant, it’s not missed a beat in my MainStage rig.

Oh, and if you ever need them Focusrite’s customer service folks are really good.

[resistorman]

Focusrite or Presonus, both good choices for Windows after RME.

[Wonks]

I'd also look at the MOTU M4. 2 x mic/line ins + 2 line ins, 4 x line outs. DIN MIDI in and out and USB bus powering.

MOTU have been great at supporting their products as RME. My old Traveller Mk 1 is still going strong on a Firewire connection (something Focusrite left behind years ago).

[ef37a]

I'd also look at the MOTU M4. 2 x mic/line ins + 2 line ins, 4 x line outs. DIN MIDI in and out and USB bus powering.

MOTU have been great at supporting their products as RME. My old Traveller Mk 1 is still going strong on a Firewire connection (something Focusrite left behind years ago).

"A'Hem?"

Dave.

[Wonks]

That's a nasty cough you've got there, Dave.

[ajay_m]

Ka6 mk2 has pretty good latency and is well built. I'm very pleased with mine. TBH it's such a competitive market that most audio interfaces are pretty good these days. Your prefs will probably come down to ergonomics like how easy it is to adjust gain and how much you care about stuff like channel metering (IE proper bar graph per channel Vs one or two LEDs) and stuff like that.

[ef37a]

Ka6 mk2 has pretty good latency and is well built. I'm very pleased with mine. TBH it's such a competitive market that most audio interfaces are pretty good these days. Your prefs will probably come down to ergonomics like how easy it is to adjust gain and how much you care about stuff like channel metering (IE proper bar graph per channel Vs one or two LEDs) and stuff like that.

This is very true, however I have had several 'budget' interfaces over the last ten years or so. Makes such as M-Audio, Alesis, Behringer (v early one BCA2K) Tascam, ESI, Focusrite and in the last two years Behringer 204HD. All except the 204HD were a tiny bit 'flaky' when it came to setup and operation.

That problem stopped when I got the KA6. No matter which computer or laptop I plugged it into, once drivers were installed, a breeze, it just bloody worked! Never ever dropped a stitch.

The M4 is if anything even better for stability. Plug in the USB cable and I have sound in less than 30 seconds. To add to that the signal routing is more user friendly and the mic pres AS quiet as the KA6 but with I would guess another 6dB of gain.

Dave.

[The Elf]

I will strongly suggest the MOTU M2 or M4...

I like those meters on the M4. Definitely looks like a familiar step up from the KA6. My KA6s have served me well, but if the M4 comes recommended it's definitely worth a shot.

[sonics]

That's helpful, thanks all.

My list was Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, NI, MOTU, PreSonus.
I was even thinking the UMC204HD might be all I need.
Zoom U-44 has the wrong design for me.

Anyone tried the UA Volt series?

I know they'll all sound good and should have a decently-low latency. Real-world highs and lows are what I'm digging for here.

[resistorman]

That's helpful, thanks all.

My list was Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, NI, MOTU, PreSonus.
I was even thinking the UMC204HD might be all I need.
Zoom U-44 has the wrong design for me.

Anyone tried the UA Volt series?

I know they'll all sound good and should have a decently-low latency. Real-world highs and lows are what I'm digging for here.

The problem is that every Windows system is different, so you have no idea how yours will react until you try it out. Use a retailer with a good return policy and start from the bottom up, there's been many people totally happy with the cheapest Behringer interface.

[ef37a]

That's helpful, thanks all.

My list was Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, NI, MOTU, PreSonus.
I was even thinking the UMC204HD might be all I need.
Zoom U-44 has the wrong design for me.

Anyone tried the UA Volt series?

I know they'll all sound good and should have a decently-low latency. Real-world highs and lows are what I'm digging for here.

I had a 204HD and it is a remarkably good interface for the money, the mic pres are especially useful. SM58 for speech not a problem.
The output arrangements are not that useful and the maximum output level very low compared to most AIs. That last might be a problem in a live situation where it is usually good to have some 'umph' in hand?

If 2 ins, 2 outs + MIDI are all you need, quite honestly the MOTU M2 is a no brainer!

Dave.

[ajay_m]

Interesting comment on interfaces being "slightly flakey". I went through several Roland/edirol interfaces which had indifferent latency and I never fully solved the ground loop noise issues I had with them. Then I got a focusrite unit that took external power, this solved the bus noise but the metering was very primitive, the input gain structure was very non linear and sometimes I would get bluescreens. Then I got a kmi kmix and that was marvellous (and still in use) and then lastly the ka6 because I was mooching around London and PMT had one for £120 on sale and, well.... It's now on the computer and the Kmix is attached to my akai force but I can switch it to the computer using a USB a-b switch. So yes. You're quite right about the ka6, it just works.

[adamburgess]

Used a Focusrite Scarlett on hundreds of gigs, never missed a beat.

Currently on an XR18/X32.

[BigRedX]

For live use there are lots of things that suddenly become important that will be irrelevant in other situations.

On of the things that was important to me was that the computer and all of the associated hardware fitted in a single 3U rack case and all the connections to the external world were accessible from the front. To this end I needed an interface that was properly rack mountable and fitted in a 1U space (the other 2 spaces being taken up by the laptop and a 1U patch panel). The only affordable solution I came across was the Focusrite 18i20 which from an audio PoV is completely overkill, but because it was properly rack mountable and used a standard IEC mains lead for the power it won out over other smaller interfaces.

[ef37a]

Point taken Red but I am always trying to keep the DIY sound guy alive and working!

It would not take much ingenuity to make a 'breakout' rack panel to bring the rear mounted jacks and MIDI ports to the front. I don't know of a chassis mount USB B or C port but I bet such a thing exists?

Yup, https://www.amazon.co.uk/QIANRENON-Pass ... 3D&sr=8-16

Dave.

[BigRedX]

Point taken Red but I am always trying to keep the DIY sound guy alive and working!

It would not take much ingenuity to make a 'breakout' rack panel to bring the rear mounted jacks and MIDI ports to the front. I don't know of a chassis mount USB B or C port but I bet such a thing exists?

Yup, https://www.amazon.co.uk/QIANRENON-Pass ... 3D&sr=8-16

Dave.

It always causes my hear to sink when another band turn up to a gig with a computer and a bag full of random leads and other bits of hardware and proceed to take the best part of 30 minutes assembling it all on tables appropriated from elsewhere in the venue.

My set up takes less than 5 minutes from getting it into the venue to being set up in the correct place on stage and presenting the PA engineer with 2 XLRs to plug into the stage box.

And I have the two port version of the USB socket that you linked for connecting the 3-way footswitch that starts/pauses the backing as well as loading up the next song.

I probably ought to take some photos of the set up so others can see how it looks.

[MarkOne]

I wanted to avoid the bag-of-bits-and-a-table for my setup.

I found myself an old equipment case and with some work I mounted USB and XLR sockets and an IEC mains socket on the back.

Inside with the help of some velcro strip meant for a pedalboard, I mounted the Scarlet 2i4, a dual passive DI box, a powered USB hub, and a 4 way power strip. and hooked it all tougher with short USB leads, XLR leads.

I have a laptop stand that it sits on to the right of the keyboards and then I hook up the USBs to the keyboards, the laptop to the USBC and a pair of XLRs to the FOH. The laptop either sits on top of the case or, if I'm using the Arturia Keylab 88, on the Keylab's included laptop platform.

EDIT:
You can see it in action here: