Interface Hell - Tracking Vocals Only

[Dan Masden]

I will start by saying after weeks of slice n dice every option I feel like they all suck lol. but really, I know there are some great offerings out there, it just gets frustrating.

Goofy UIs, Limited hw options, outdated websites, bad support, marketing hype, fan boy misinfo and apologists - pick your poison...seems like even money no object still not clear winner

- for tracking vocals only
- min 2 mic and min 2 Line that fully Bypasses Pre (could do 2 combo if actually true bypass for Line)
- money no object
- fix your acoustics and get a good mic not helpful this is "all other things being equal - and good"

I will give you my experience with UA and ANT (not plugins just hw)

Antelope - support don't answer simply questions like list all your interfaces that have true bypass. discreet 4 gen 1 - possibly sound better than UA still questioning if i had some kind of bias. have not had driver issues on mac.
UA - apologists galore - so far we demo'd Twin G1, Twin G2, x6 G1 - all "seem" to just not sound great. love Console and knob layout on hw but some major workflow issues with UI (s) for me

what we are looking at and hope could be "the golden solution" for tracking vocals

Orion
Metric Halo
Prism
Neumann MT 48
other?

another data point is first choice is not full size depth due to our "skinnier" desktop rack setup. for example, the x6 was 12.6 meaning we would have had to build out a custom rack solution - doable - but only if it is the nirvana of interfaces for tracking vocals

[Bob Bickerton]

Welcome to the forums...... interesting first rant, sorry post.

I'm unaware of any current interface with which I couldn't track professional level vocals, but I won't go into: mic selection/mic position/vocal technique/room acoustics as per your request (even though they are far more important than the interface in terms of the tracked sound).

So, the answer is pretty simple. Pick an interface which provides the input options you require and the workflow you desire. If you can't track decent vocals with it - address the actual issues as to why.

If you want more 'colour' and hands on control (interface dependent), then consider a nice preamp before the interface.

FWIW, I use a Focusrite ISA Two preamp into a Universal Audio Apollo 8p (though the Apollo preamps are excellent). Absolutely stable and excellent sound - but then I have ...... that which cannot be named!

Bob

[Dan Masden]

Welcome to the forums...... interesting first rant, sorry post.

I'm unaware of any current interface with which I couldn't track professional level vocals, but I won't go into: mic selection/mic position/vocal technique/room acoustics as per your request (even though they are far more important than the interface in terms of the tracked sound).

So, the answer is pretty simple. Pick an interface which provides the input options you require and the workflow you desire. If you can't track decent vocals with it - address the actual issues as to why.

If you want more 'colour' and hands on control (interface dependent), then consider a nice preamp before the interface.

FWIW, I use a Focusrite ISA Two preamp into a Universal Audio Apollo 8p (though the Apollo preamps are excellent). Absolutely stable and excellent sound - but then I have ...... that which cannot be named!

Bob

yes other preamps a given but optional. My benchmark is ultimate quality direct in with onboard and true bypass for line level (with best quality)

[ef37a]

Hello Dan and welcome. I don't understand your point about "true bypass for the line inputs? The fixed gain line ins on my M4 are not mic pres! Therefore the question does not arise.

Otherwise I am with Bob B, find the functions you want and at the MOTU/SSL level and above the electronics will be beyond reproach. I would always put RME into the mix as well.

Also, IMHO be careful, you could be wandering into "snake oil/emperor's new clobber" territory!

Dave.

[Arpangel]

In most situations you wouldn’t be able tell the difference between a Behringer and a Benchmark, just work out what facilities you need and take it from there.

[Random Guitarist]

Audient ID range have a true bypass, after the preamps there's a balanced send/return, plug external gear into the return and it's pretty much straight into the converters

[Bob Bickerton]

yes other preamps a given but optional. My benchmark is ultimate quality direct in with onboard and true bypass for line level (with best quality)

Fair enough.

You said you were not happy with the UAD interfaces. What was it about them that you didn't like? How did they compare to what you've been using? Is it a specific 'sound' you're after, genre you're recording? Do you have a selection of mics available to you?

Bob

[MOF]

what we are looking at and hope could be "the golden solution" for tracking vocals

Orion
Metric Halo
Prism
Neumann MT 48
other?

You seem to have potentially answered your own question. Have you tried the above?
My bet is that if you do then you still won’t have an answer, you’re searching for the holy grail.
The new Apollo X gen2 interfaces allow you to use an external preamp in combination with Unison plugins to ‘colour’ your sound, did you know and/or try this.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I will give you my experience with UA and ANT (not plugins just hw)

Antelope - support don't answer simply questions like list all your interfaces that have true bypass.

I can't help with poor manufacturer support, but
you've mentioned true (preamp) bypass a couple of times... can you explain this 'requirement' because (a) it's a rare feature on most interfaces mostly because (b) it's a technical irrelevance.

So why the fixation on something that actually makes no difference? What are you intending to connect to these true bypass line inputs?

so far we demo'd Twin G1, Twin G2, x6 G1 - all "seem" to just not sound great.

Not had any sound quality issues with UA interfaces, so can you give some better idea as to what you think doesn't sound great about them? Maybe we can then steer you towards something you may like better.

some major workflow issues with UI (s) for me...

And again, what workflow issues? It's impossible to suggest a better option when we have no clue about what you're struggling with.

All of the interfaces you mention are perfectly capable of excellent results.

[James Perrett]

Orion
Metric Halo
Prism
Neumann MT 48
other?

Why no RME? The software drivers are fantastic in my experience and, if you don't like the sound, there are plenty of digital I/O options which allow you to use your preferred convertors yet still retain the solid high performance drivers.

[ef37a]

Orion
Metric Halo
Prism
Neumann MT 48
other?

Why no RME? The software drivers are fantastic in my experience and, if you don't like the sound, there are plenty of digital I/O options which allow you to use your preferred convertors yet still retain the solid high performance drivers.

Scuse me!

Chopped Liver

[Hugh Robjohns]

I think my babelfish has died again...

[Sam Spoons]

My heads hurt...

[Eddy Deegan]

Scuse me!

Chopped Liver

I think my babelfish has died again...

Translation: Dave is using a figure of speech in a (hopefully humerous) manner to assert that James was effectively repeating a point made by him (Dave) in a previous post ...

[Drew Stephenson]

I think Dave is suggesting that he recommended RME further up the thread?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Ah... I didn't realise Dave had exclusivity in such suggestions...

Chopped onions...

[MOF]

money no object

I can’t help thinking this is a troll post, if budget was not an issue why would you mess about with Antelope and UAD interfaces and not go straight to the top end gear mentioned?
“Interface Hell” there’s nothing hellish if all you’re doing is recording two channels, I have the UAD X4 gen 1 and it’s really straightforward and the direct monitoring with or without Unison plugins is a breeze.
It would be nice to be proved wrong but I’m not holding my breath.

[alexis]

Ah... I didn't realise Dave had exclusivity in such suggestions...

Chopped onions...

Hmm, we usually slice the onions we put on liver, rather than chop them, but thinking about it further we don't chop the liver either, just lightly fry a medium sized lobe. Yet another difference between one side of the pond and the other.

[Wonks]

Dave needs his liver chopped up for him so he can eat it. We normally cook/eat liver whole, just like you do, Alexis.

[Eddy Deegan]

money no object

I can’t help thinking this is a troll post, if budget was not an issue why would you mess about with Antelope and UAD interfaces and not go straight to the top end gear mentioned?
“Interface Hell” there’s nothing hellish if all you’re doing is recording two channels, I have the UAD X4 gen 1 and it’s really straightforward and the direct monitoring with or without Unison plugins is a breeze.
It would be nice to be proved wrong but I’m not holding my breath.

Some topics are a list of solutions looking for a problem. Many replies to such threads are invariably useful though, so no worries

[ef37a]

Dave needs his liver chopped up for him so he can eat it. We normally cook/eat liver whole, just like you do, Alexis.

I thought you and Hugh ate yours dripping and raw!

Dave.

[alexis]

All You Need Is Lobe!

[Dan Masden]

Audient ID range have a true bypass, after the preamps there's a balanced send/return, plug external gear into the return and it's pretty much straight into the converters

worth checking out...i find them ugly but admit the specs seem to be good. thanks for the heads up

[Dan Masden]

yes other preamps a given but optional. My benchmark is ultimate quality direct in with onboard and true bypass for line level (with best quality)

Fair enough.

You said you were not happy with the UAD interfaces. What was it about them that you didn't like? How did they compare to what you've been using? Is it a specific 'sound' you're after, genre you're recording? Do you have a selection of mics available to you?

Bob

just in doing tons of A/B so far the sound has felt like could be better VS gen 1 discreet. I will test others as well, can only text one at a time realistically. I also dont like some aspects of UA Console or for that matter even their plugins. That said as outlined I see the value of the company as I am giving the gen x4 a try after having just sent back agen 1 x6. the gnearrly good experience with gen 1 discreet is why orion is on list...despite all the antelope drama...even though i will mainly use external pres it should be said i repeatedly found the antelope bae 1073 smoked any ua 1073 plugs...but ua are generally good.

also been buying mics, currently have bn251, 414cb, m149, H47tube - will be getting others.

[Dan Masden]

what we are looking at and hope could be "the golden solution" for tracking vocals

Orion
Metric Halo
Prism
Neumann MT 48
other?

You seem to have potentially answered your own question. Have you tried the above?
My bet is that if you do then you still won’t have an answer, you’re searching for the holy grail.
The new Apollo X gen2 interfaces allow you to use an external preamp in combination with Unison plugins to ‘colour’ your sound, did you know and/or try this.

i am reading till my eyes bleed and ready to pull the trigger on any listed. i have been gun shy based on random "read 10 good things and then a strong bad" and pause buying / keep reading...kind of silly

so far

Neumann MT 48 = fan and heat + small touch screen all somewhat concerning.

Prism - a couple reports they "improved" production and at same time there have been qc issues. limited i/o on lyra could work but might have to step up i guess.

Metric Halo - love the company, the depth of the box is at limits of our rack space. we could custom make if perfect interface was to be had. but digging down deep despite being so great there are mixed reports on real world use with DAW. plus they have removed smaller options for now.