Hey slutz! How are you? Hope safe and well...

I've been reading (a lot) in the last 2 days about audio interfaces, and I would like to share with you who I am, what I'm doing and where I wanna go, so you can help me choose a new audio interface.

Who am I?
Heitor Silva, 31 years... nice to meet you! I play guitar since 12, I've been in bands, did recordings, shows, etc. Music is my passion, but I'm a software engineer professionally, working for 15 years in the tech industry.

What am I doing?
I'm doing a 3 year music production course with Point Blank, and I'm planning to do a music composition and orchestration masters right after it, with ThinkSpace Education.

Besides this, I'm recording a podcast with 2 friends (we meet in person to record), and I'm trying to record and produce songs that I wrote and that other friends wrote.

Where I wanna go?
I plan to create some online lessons, Youtube channel and music products. Besides this, I wanna be in the Film / Games market, composing and producing, to generate passive income through copyrights or maybe even get out of my IT career and fully migrate to music (I can be ambitious and dream, right? ).

What is my current setup?
MacBook Pro (2017), i5 2.3ghz, 16gb ram, 250 SSD
IK Multimedia iRig Pro I/O
Audio-Technica ATH-M50XBT
Roland Zenbeats
BitWig Studio 3
Logic Pro X

How can you help me?
I want a interface which:

• I can use at least 3 condenser mics at the same time (for podcast recordings, YT recordings and song recordings)
• I will have the lowest latency as possible to record tracks with lots of VSTs running (I believe anything between 6ms and 15ms is ok-ish, right?)
• I can connect 2 headphones for monitoring (because I intend to have someone singing while I monitor the DAW)
• I can connect 2 different studio monitors for A/B comparisons (I'll buy them after the interface itself)

I am a metal lover, and I will produce tracks using Bias FX 2 and / or Bias Amp 2, GGD Modern Massive and probably some orchestration with DAWs stock plugins.
Some other tracks I will probably use the Komplete package and the things I have from ROLI, because I have the Seaboard Block.
For mixing and mastering, so far, I have to rely on what I have from Waves and stock plugins from the DAWs.

All this being said, I found the following options:

- Apogee Quartet
- Apogee Element 46
- Arturia AudioFuse Studio
- Audient iD44
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd gen
- Focusrite Clarett 4Pre
- Steinberg UR44C
- Universal Audio Apollo X4

At first, without research, I was thinking only about Apollo X4 (hype, you know?), but then I'm not sure how much benefit I would take out from this expensive DSP platform, with old SHARC chips but shiny TB3 port + boutique plugins, if I consider my wishes, current scenario and limitations. Also, I saw these posts:

Sharc DSPs, seriously?
Can anyone explain to me why UAD is stuck in the dark ages with its Sharc processors?

I understand the pricing range is very different between the products, the pre-amps, chips and components will vary a lot on each interface, and some have things others don't.

What I don't understand completely (because I'm a noob in audio), is how each hardware and pre-amps will affect the final audio quality (I don't think it's possible to evaluate via Youtube because they compress too much the audio), and which of these products fits best with what I'm doing, the workflow I have with my current VSTs and plugins and where I wanna be mid-term period. Which of these is my best option to be a part-time producer / teacher / youtuber / podcaster? Consider that rock, metal, film and games are my primary target.

Also, remember that I own the following plugins and VSTs:

• Bias FX 2 Elite, Bias Amp 2 Elite
• Get Good Drums Modern and Massive
• Native Instruments Komplete 12
• ROLI Equator, ROLI Cypher 2, ROLI Strobe2
• Waves Bass Rider, Waves Vocal Rider, Waves NS1, Waves W43, Waves WNS Noise Supressor, Waves Tune, Waves Tune Real-Time

Please, can I have your support to choose my next audio interface? The iRig Pro I/O is great, but very limited, and I need to take the next step, but I'm lost with so many interface options and different prices, since I'm not experienced on how they will affect my music in the end or my recording / mixing / mastering workflow, I need help from more experienced people to decide...

Considering a budget up to 2k euro, what is my best option to have everything I described before, good audio quality and low latency during recordings? Are there other good options that are not on my list?

Please, be kind to me, I know there are limitations within my budget and within my current setup and room. One step at a time, to reach my future vision.

Sorry for the long text, and I'm looking forward to hear from you...

Cheers!

Hi there, welcome!

I've been on a similar journey. I was coming from an M-Audio C600 (no longer software supported...bummer), and decided to go with the Audient iD44. It's a great interface, lots of connectivity and works straight away (and support seems super responsive+helpful). I'm however at this point considering testing out the Audiofuse Studio because the gain knobs on the iD44 seem to be more geared towards louder sources. I tend to capture lots of soft instrumental sounds, and the knobs on the iD44 are logarithmic in nature, meaning I have to crank them in order to get the gain I need. It's a little challenging to get an exact gain match when dealing with stereo pair configurations, which I do most of the time. However it's a great interface and sounds quite good as far as I can tell (I'm not exactly a seasoned professional in the digital audio world).

I can't comment on the other interfaces, but I've heard good things about all of them. If you have any intension of expanding in the future, I'd look for something with ADAT (not sure if the Steinberg has that). I personally wanted to stick with usb instead of thunderbolt, as I like to use an iPad Pro for a super portable setup.

If you can find an Apogee Quartet for a good used price, I would recommend that, and I've also heard good things about the Element.

If I do decide to order the Audiofuse Studio, I'll do a quick comparison sometime in the next few weeks.

Thank you!

Interesting. Why exactly USB is better than Thunderbolt for a iPad connection?

The iRig Pro I/O I have was chosen exactly because I wanted to play keyboard connected to an iPad, using Yousician and other apps.

Please do... because from everything in my list, I'm inclined to choose AudioFuse Studio. What held me back so far is the USB 2.0 question... I don't know how much that could be a problem for my intentions and workflow.

Do you have an opinion about it?

iPad doesn't support a Thunderbolt connection as far as I am aware–the signal Thunderbolt sends can't be interpreted. Again not an expert, but pretty sure.


It's interesting, most interfaces these days use USB 2.0 including newer ones because the bandwidth for sending hi-res audio signal doesn't exceed the capability of USB 2.0, even when running the max number of channels. USB 3.0 isn't necessarily faster than 2.0. Once again not an expert; there are others that might be able to pitch in on this one.

I was in the same boat as you not long ago. Looked into USB vs Thunderbolt and what I wanted out of an interface. Here is what I came to.

Fast: minimal latency
Expandable: Can I buy ADAT interface to expand my interface?
Inputs: For me was at least 4 to start with
MIDI I/O: Started to collect midi gear and wanted this feature.
Thunderbolt: Highest bandwidth and lowest latency available here. USB is compatible with more things but has overhead.
Windows Compatible

Interfaces look at:

UAD Twin/Quad:
PRO: Highly rated. DSP is dated. Plugins very expensive.
CON: I have most plugins I want at this time. No desire to be locked into UAD


MOTU 828x 28x30 :
PRO: Plenty of I/O, Met above requirements
CON: To many stories of bad software/driver support

Apogee Element 46 - 12x14:
PRO: Enough starting I/O , Highly regarded
CON: Mac only (switching to windows and studio one)

PreSonus Quantum 2626 26x26 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface
PRO: Speed (sub 1ms round trip), MIDI, I/O, Expandable, (Studio one integration)
CON: No DSP for onboard monitoring, requires a DAW

I ended up picking a Quantum and switching to Studio One pro w/ a cross grade from logic. Very happy with my interface, speed, etc. Enjoying Studio One as well and not missing Logic as much as I thought.

Hey @ bivvo , thanks for the response!

What do you mean by lack of DSP being in the way of monitoring? What kind of use you would do with DSP for monitoring, without having a DAW open?

Can you share your buffer + frequency configs, and tell which latency value you're having with it? Is it sub 1ms?

Also, the only CON for the Apogee was the Apple platform? Nothing else?

@ itshsilva

What do you mean by lack of DSP being in the way of monitoring? What kind of use you would do with DSP for monitoring, without having a DAW open?

I can elaborate. I started with a Focusrite 2i2. I found I like the switch for Direct Monitor. If using the interface outside of a DAW you will not get that feature unless the software you are using supports this.

Can you share your buffer + frequency configs, and tell which latency value you're having with it? Is it sub 1ms?

I attached a screenshot showing my Quantum settings.
Device Block Size: 16 Samples
Sample Rate: 48 kHz (my default can go upto 192kHz)
Input Latency: .5 ms / 24 Samples
Output Latency: .67ms / 32 Samples

On a Mac I am guessing slightly better latency is possible.

For the Apogee
Probably should not have listed the Apogee as I quickly eliminated it.

For me CONs were
Mac Only, No MIDI, Requires software for all control(no external knobs etc.)

@ bivvo

wow, that's very impressive...

what about the monitoring? are you able to send different mixes to each phone output?

do you know the main differences between Quantum 2626 and Studio 1810c or Studio 1824c? did you do this comparison when you were buying?

I checked the website and it seems Studio 1810c / 1824c are very good also, but not with that low latency just because they're not thunderbolt... the pre-amps are the same though, look the comparison PDF below:

https://pae-marketing.s3.amazonaws.c...20Chart_11.pdf

Any opinions here?

I can route to the desired outputs yes. I did not look at the studio line as they were USB but they appear near identical other than USB/Thunderbolt. If you look up bandwidth and latency USB vs Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt wins every time. I was willing to spend a little more for ~1ms latency w/ Thunderbolt.

Hi!

Since you're using Mac and Logic Apogee is often recommend due to their integrations into Logic. Apogee is also well known for their preamps and A/D.

So from the interfaces you have listed, you can't really go wrong. But it's going to be more a mater of taste and what you prefer in your many different workflows.

If I just mention a few things on connection standards like USB and thunderbolt. Now, these days that doesn't matter as much as it used to do. Terms that I think is often confused are Speed and Bandwidth. When we're talking bandwidth and Thunderbolt 40 Gbps you think it's latency is going to be low?
Well, not necessarily. It just means it will transfer more in shorter time.
Like 96 channels (and more) instead of 4 simultaneously. What affects latency is buffer and how many packages your computer can handle without dropping.
USB1.1 could transfer 4 channels just fine. So USB2, Firewire or thunderbolt is going to be fine.

My point is that as long as you have the bandwidth for the amount of channels you need to record at the same time, you're good.

So chose an interface that will fit your devices. Like Clarined who is using an iPad. So iPad has USB support, but not support for Thunderbolt or Firewire.
What ports do you have in your devices?

I also want to recommend RME interfaces. Mostly for their solid drivers and the fact that they still support their oldest interfaces. That puts me at ease as a semi-pro that I won't need to change interface often. They also have good preamps and A/D.

Good luck in your ventures!

I would add the Metric Halo ULN-8 to this list. Together with the Edge Card Option it has a lot of possible INs and OUTs.

Very low latency, internal DSP. Very high quality of the converters. For me really one of the best sounding interfaces.

Connects either via USB-C or Ethernet.

Hey slutz!

Thanks all the ones that posted here and contributed... after discussing with you, and much research, I decided to start small and invest slowly.

Because I'm studying with Point Blank, Focusrite gave me a discount code which I used to buy a Scarlett18i8 3rd gen for 299 €. I think it's a fair price for a fair amount of inputs and outputs, and it's a modest step up from my iRig Pro I/O...

I'll use this interface for the next 2~3 years, and if I think I need something better / bigger, I'll upgrade later.

Stay safe,
Cheers!

That's a sweet deal!

I have sort of left Focusrite behind, but that looked like a nice interface that seems to have borrowed the Air feature from the Clarett range.

Good on ya, mate!

/fruity