Audio interface help

[punkyfish]

Hi,

So have had advice on here about buying an audio interface for my other half but still struggling. Will be using Cubase which I am hoping to get, educational 11 pro. emphasis on quality And budget under £500 if at all possible.

I need:

Midi
ADAT so I can add on at a later date?
2 headphones monitoring things.
Enough inputs and outputs for a band in the future
Balance inputs TRS , no buzzing?
The ability to record an upright acoustic piano with good mikes.
High and low z.

I will be honest, I don’t know any more than that, apart from I need enough gain to run any Mike?

I have been looking at the Steinberg 816c and Focusrite 3 gen 18i20. Focusrite currently offer 25% student discount on any product, Steinberg comes with Cubase AI. Also looked at presonus 1824c. Other half wants to be able to record a full band but I can’t see that happening for quite a while.

Could someone help out with which one would be good for us? Would a smaller interface do, any help would be much appreciated because despite all the help and research I’m still not sure what to choose.

Many thanks,

Alex

[Wonks]

MIDI - do you actually need it on your interface? If you've got older hardware modules only with 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors, then yes, but almost all new synths and master keyboards connect to the computer with MIDI over USB.

If the interface comes with hardware MIDI, then fine, but unless you need it, don't make it a prerequisite. You can always add a cheap USB to hardware MIDI interface later if necessary.

[The Elf]

I say that an RME Fireface would fit the bill.

Even the smallest Fireface UCX will do everything you want - and with an RME interface comes TotalMix, which is worth the price alone, IMHO...

[punkyfish]

MIDI - do you actually need it on your interface? If you've got older hardware modules only with 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors, then yes, but almost all new synths and master keyboards connect to the computer with MIDI over USB.

If the interface comes with hardware MIDI, then fine, but unless you need it, don't make it a prerequisite. You can always add a cheap USB to hardware MIDI interface later if necessary.

Thanks for the fast reply, yes we have old synths with midi, no new synths...yet!

[punkyfish]

I say that an RME Fireface would fit the bill.

Even the smallest Fireface UCX will do everything you want - and with an RME interface comes TotalMix, which is worth the price alone, IMHO...

Hi thanks for the quick reply, out of my budget I’m afraid.

[Wonks]

I say that an RME Fireface would fit the bill.

Even the smallest Fireface UCX will do everything you want - and with an RME interface comes TotalMix, which is worth the price alone, IMHO...

The smallest £999 Fireface UCX with only 2 mic inputs but somehow can record a full band and also cost under £500?

It's certainly expandable and a lovely piece of kit, but really doesn't fit the requirements as they stand.

[Drew Stephenson]

Personally I'd be looking at the Focusrite or the Steinberg, and if he's going to be using Cubase I'd edge towards the Steinberg as there's some additional integration there because they're from the same manufacturer.

[James Perrett]

I say that an RME Fireface would fit the bill.

Even the smallest Fireface UCX will do everything you want - and with an RME interface comes TotalMix, which is worth the price alone, IMHO...

The only way you could go RME within budget would be to go for a Digiface USB and then add a Behringer ADA8200 8 channel preamp/ADC and a separate headphone amp for the second headphone output. You'd probably also need a monitor controller too. I like that sort of modular approach but it may not appeal to the person buying this interface who probably wants something more all in one.

[punkyfish]

Personally I'd be looking at the Focusrite or the Steinberg, and if he's going to be using Cubase I'd edge towards the Steinberg as there's some additional integration there because they're from the same manufacturer.

Thanks, that is what I was thinking, I wasn’t sure if one had better quality or not, the Focusrite 25% discount is very appealing though. I did wonder about the Ur44C as well?

[punkyfish]

I say that an RME Fireface would fit the bill.

Even the smallest Fireface UCX will do everything you want - and with an RME interface comes TotalMix, which is worth the price alone, IMHO...

The only way you could go RME within budget would be to go for a Digiface USB and then add a Behringer ADA8200 8 channel preamp/ADC and a separate headphone amp for the second headphone output. You'd probably also need a monitor controller too. I like that sort of modular approach but it may not appeal to the person buying this interface who probably wants something more all in one.

Thanks James, I will be honest and say I don’t know enough about all the modular stuff and I doubt my husband does hence asking about the all in ones. I notice the dip mentioned a lot for Steinberg and pads on the focusrite but don’t really know what they do.

[The Elf]

I say that an RME Fireface would fit the bill.

Even the smallest Fireface UCX will do everything you want - and with an RME interface comes TotalMix, which is worth the price alone, IMHO...

The smallest £999 Fireface UCX with only 2 mic inputs but somehow can record a full band and also cost under £500?

It's certainly expandable and a lovely piece of kit, but really doesn't fit the requirements as they stand.

It has ADAT, so is expandable for that future band requirement - and I had no idea of budget!

I see this is a follow-up to another thread. That's why these things are best kept in one place!

[Wonks]

It has ADAT, so is expandable for that future band requirement - and I had no idea of budget!

Clearly stated in the OP!

Specsavers time again ?

[Kwackman]

Just to muddy the waters, there's Audient iD44, but no MIDI. Although you could get a separate MIDI only interface?
EDIT it has only 4 inputs, but I'm not sure how many you need initially?
It has Dual ADAT, so adding on in the future isn't a problem.

[Fishnish]

The Steniberg UR 816 or the Focusrite are both of a similar feature set and quality, either will do the job. I'd say that at that price point and given the feature set you'd like they're both good options.

The Steinberg is perhaps marginally easier to set up + use within Cubase as the software which drives it has its controls appearing directly in the Cubase mixer panel. It also has some DSP effects (Digital signal processing - basically an eq, a reverb and a compressor) which can be useful but non essential additions when recording and monitoring whilst recording. The Focusrite, according to colleagues who use it , is also pretty straighforward to set up (although its controls wouldn't appear inside Cubase but in it's own other bit of mixer software) If the Focusrite is currently at a discount price that could be attractive too of course!

If there wasn't too much in it pricewise I'd probs go with the Steinberg for ease of use/integration with Cubase. However If the Focusrite was really significanty cheaper and budget is super tight I might end up going with that.

The Steinberg UR 44c you mention is a good unit too. the main differences between it and it's bigger brother are that it doesn't have as many physical inputs and outputs (necessary if at some point in the future you want to record lots of tracks at once, recording a whole band for instance) and it's not, as far as I know, expandabe via ADAT to give more in/out channels if needed in the future.

[punkyfish]

The Steniberg UR 816 or the Focusrite are both of a similar feature set and quality, either will do the job. I'd say that at that price point and given the feature set you'd like they're both good options.

The Steinberg is perhaps marginally easier to set up + use within Cubase as the software which drives it has its controls appearing directly in the Cubase mixer panel. It also has some DSP effects (Digital signal processing - basically an eq, a reverb and a compressor) which can be useful but non essential additions when recording and monitoring whilst recording. The Focusrite, according to colleagues who use it , is also pretty straighforward to set up (although its controls wouldn't appear inside Cubase but in it's own other bit of mixer software) If it's currently at a discount price that could be attractive too of course!

If there wasn't too much in it pricewise I'd probs go with the Steinberg for ease of use/integration with Cubase. However If the Focusrite was really significanty cheaper and budget is super tight I might end up going with that.

The Steinberg UR 44c you mention is a good unit too. the main differences between it and it's bigger brother are that it doesn't have as many physical inputs and outputs (necessary if at some point in the future you want to record lots of tracks at once, recording a whoe band for instance) and it's not, as far as I know, expandabe via ADAT to give more in/out channels if needed in the future.

UR 44 out! That’s great thanks so much! It’s just a case of which one, as I can get the focusrite for £340 whereas the Steinberg is around £500. So hard to choose when you don’t know all of the things they do but you kind of know what you need?

[punkyfish]

Just to muddy the waters, there's Audient iD44, but no MIDI. Although you could get a separate MIDI only interface?
EDIT it has only 4 inputs, but I'm not sure how many you need initially?
It has Dual ADAT, so adding on in the future isn't a problem.

Thanks will have a look!

[Drew Stephenson]

That’s great thanks so much! It’s just a case of which one, as I can get the focusrite for £340 whereas the Steinberg is around £500. So hard to choose when you don’t know all of the things they do but you kind of know what you need?

If you can get the f'rite for £340 that's a steal. Almost a worryingly low good price - is it definitely a third generation model? Any chance of a link?

[punkyfish]

That’s great thanks so much! It’s just a case of which one, as I can get the focusrite for £340 whereas the Steinberg is around £500. So hard to choose when you don’t know all of the things they do but you kind of know what you need?

If you can get the f'rite for £340 that's a steal. Almost a worryingly low good price - is it definitely a third generation model? Any chance of a link?

Hi yes see here

https://store.focusrite.com/en-gb/offer ... rrency=GBP

[The Elf]

It has ADAT, so is expandable for that future band requirement - and I had no idea of budget!

Clearly stated in the OP!

Specsavers time again ?

TLDR!

[Drew Stephenson]

That’s great thanks so much! It’s just a case of which one, as I can get the focusrite for £340 whereas the Steinberg is around £500. So hard to choose when you don’t know all of the things they do but you kind of know what you need?

If you can get the f'rite for £340 that's a steal. Almost a worryingly low good price - is it definitely a third generation model? Any chance of a link?

Hi yes see here

https://store.focusrite.com/en-gb/offer ... rrency=GBP

Ah, from the focusrite store. Fair enough, I think we can count that as legit!
Personally if I could get an 18i20 for £340 I'd go for that and be a happy camper.

[punkyfish]

That’s great thanks so much! It’s just a case of which one, as I can get the focusrite for £340 whereas the Steinberg is around £500. So hard to choose when you don’t know all of the things they do but you kind of know what you need?

If you can get the f'rite for £340 that's a steal. Almost a worryingly low good price - is it definitely a third generation model? Any chance of a link?

Hi yes see here

https://store.focusrite.com/en-gb/offer ... rrency=GBP

Ah, from the focusrite store. Fair enough, I think we can count that as legit!
Personally if I could get an 18i20 for £340 I'd go for that and be a happy camper.

Thanks, the discount is amazing, wish Steinberg did one for hardware, but I just have a niggle that I should pick the Steinberg...decisions, aargh!

[CS70]

Then stop reading here and go pick up the Steinberg.

It really makes little difference, so trying to decide on facts will get you nowhere.

Much better to follow your feeling!

[James Perrett]

If you can get the f'rite for £340 that's a steal. Almost a worryingly low good price - is it definitely a third generation model? Any chance of a link?

Hi yes see here

https://store.focusrite.com/en-gb/offer ... rrency=GBP

Ah, from the focusrite store. Fair enough, I think we can count that as legit!
Personally if I could get an 18i20 for £340 I'd go for that and be a happy camper.

If you don't have a .ac.uk email you can still find a factory refurb'd Focusrite for £386 at

https://store.focusrite.com/en-gb/categ ... efurbished

[Sam Spoons]

FWIW I doubt he will be disappointed with the Focusrite and that difference in price is not to be ignored.

[punkyfish]

FWIW I doubt he will be disappointed with the Focusrite and that difference in price is not to be ignored.

Thank you!