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verschwindibus 12 March 2014

hello everybody.
I'm looking for a new Audio Interface and i think i need some advices.

Setup:
Macbook Pro, Neumann 120, Adam Sub 8, RME Babyface, APC40, UC33E,
Virus B, Waldorf XT, Elektron MD, Boss RE20, Lexikon MX200,

What the Audio Interface should do:
• Soundquality
• easy to use
• 6 inputs minimum
• minimum of 16 channels for mixing inside the DAW
• not more than 2500 Euros

i already tested some outboard solutions: X32, Midas Venice F24, A&H Qu-16
But as you can see with this topic, i'm still not happy. I think its more important to make music as quick and easy as possible. So running outboard sound causes to much trouble and takes a lot of time in getting familiar with the philosophy and technical situation.

Thats what i thought might be right:
Apollo Quad
RME Fireface UFX

The Apollo Quad has the powerful options but i think i'll be missing some channels. Maybe its not the best solution for mixing with the daw. With the RME I'm familiar but i don't like the Total Mix for any reasons.

Any ideas or hints? Would be very nice.

Topic Tags

Comments

audiokid Wed, 03/12/2014 - 21:25

Until I see something better at this price, I will say this to everyone before I even think about budget or track count. If you have this, you don't need much more for years to come.
Without a doubt, look at the Antelope Orion32 and be done with it all. Then, when you can up your game, get an RME Madi PCIe interface and you will be smoking. If you find you don't need the Orion 32, its an easy sell right now. Nothing touches this as we speak.
I have no idea if that is above your budget but its a really good converter/USB (optional madi) all in one 32 adda channel gem. Plug it into any computer with USB and you have 32 channels in/out. No need for an interface until you start adding lots of tracks and heavier tracking requirements. USB works great for the basics and more.
When I added the RME Madi PCIe to it. I need no more.

That being said, its db25 i/o so you need a breakout of some kind to get the analog in and out, plus, should you ever want to mix OTB as well.

I'll leave the rest to the members to dig around other options with you.

cheers!

audiokid Wed, 03/12/2014 - 23:18

You don't need the MADI, but it works much better. The latency is lower and its very stable with MADI. I used it for 6 months as USB and was planning to sell it until I tried MADI. I will never go back to any other interface now. MADI is superior.

After MADI, I was able to loop a 1 bar for a minute and overdub without loosing sync. Even 1/8 loop, it doesn't sweat.
The DAW never stalls or crashes now. I have a lot of converters here and the Orion 32 with MADI is really good. USB, its okay for less demanding. MADI for high performance.

I do a lot of audio and midi. RME PCIe is the best for midi. So, the two together is very good.

verschwindibus Thu, 03/13/2014 - 06:42

So i use a mac and i can't connect a PCIe. You are running a a PC ? Therefore i will need a converter or something like that.
But than its way to expansive for me. I found some External MAID connections, but they are also running with usb.
Like this one here http://www.thomann.de/de/rme_madiface_usb.htm
But than i have to pay extra 900 Euros on top. Phuu. A solution in one Box would be better.

Thanks for you advices. :)

audiokid Thu, 03/13/2014 - 09:03

verschwindibus, post: 410964, member: 47895 wrote: So i use a mac and i can't connect a PCIe. You are running a a PC ? Therefore i will need a converter or something like that.
But than its way to expansive for me. I found some External MAID connections, but they are also running with usb.
Like this one here http://www.thomann.de/de/rme_madiface_usb.htm
But than i have to pay extra 900 Euros on top. Phuu. A solution in one Box would be better.

Thanks for you advices. :)

PCIe is used for both Mac and PC. Its a card that fits into a desktop computer. Orion 32 driver will work for both Mac and PC.
MADI has many interfaces. I just prefer a PCIe and desktop combo because the desktop and PCIe has been the most proficient for professional recording and mixing for me.

audiokid Thu, 03/13/2014 - 17:41

Get the Orion32 and see how it works for you via USB. If you need to improve the latency and performance, go madi with it. Buy a http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_hdspe_madiface.php for the Macbook. That would be a beautiful set-up.

I don't use Mac so I'm not certain if you can even connect it but if you can, that would be nice.

See this thread Link removed

The Apollo might be a good choice too. However, the Orion32 would be choice imho.

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