Audio interface

[u/Ok-Basket7871]

I am wondering what others are doing for new audio interfaces if you have a Mac mini M5 Pro.

I am looking at these products:
SSL 12
Volt 476
Audient ID24 or 44
Motu M4 or M6
Motu Octalite (this is a big cost, but it appears I may be able to stop use of my older mixer).

I’m really interested in trying to work with older analog gear Via an insert using logic pros I/O plugin

Any perspectives on preferred or not preferred audio interfaces are much appreciated. This is a very confusing topic for me.

[u/smallbrownbike]

All of them will sound nearly identical. I would just choose the one that has the most features you want.

[u/promixr]

I can’t say enough good things about MOTU in terms of sound quality, stability, Mac compatibility and price. Their audio interfaces are well worth the price.

[u/GirlDad42523]

For your outboard-insert use, start by drawing the routing before choosing a brand. Keep your monitor outputs accounted for, then count the spare line outputs and inputs you need: one of each for a mono hardware chain, two of each for a stereo chain. Add any recording inputs you want to keep available at the same time. That number may narrow your shortlist more usefully than comparing preamps. Also check that those outputs are independently routable, rather than just another socket carrying the monitor mix. Apple’s I/O guide shows the send/return setup: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/logicpro/lgcef2d8c7d2/mac . Which pieces of analog gear do you want connected simultaneously, and are they mono or stereo?

[u/Ok-Basket7871 → u/GirlDad42523]

Thank you very much! That are very helpful detailed description. I have attempted to draw out the routing. The challenge for me is that A, I am an old-school analog person and B, I’m not entirely confident about my ability to understand the audio routing through USB. Other words, how do I know that the specification in any given piece of gear actually allows for more than two channels through the USB port? That’s the question I’ve been trying to ask, and none of the manufacturers have been helpful even a little bit!
Thanks for that link, I will check it out.
At the moment, my first candidate for external gear as an old reel to reel tape recorder. My hope is to add a few other things – I am a vacuum tube person and build my own stuff. I’m weighing the idea of building an old school compressor. And I’ll certainly put a vacuum to preamp on the list somewhere.

[u/Azshed]

SSL12 o Apollo si puedes permitírtelo

[u/WorldBelongsToUs]

I'd consider the SSL 12 or the OctaLite.

Main reason: The SSL 12 is pretty solid and it's easy to add I/O via optical.

the Motu seems like it would be nice for the 8 inputs, plus I like that it can fit in a rack.

[u/sharknaomi]

I just moved to the Arturia Audiofuse Studio. Now that they have a mkii out the original version has come down in price. It has multiple I/O sends so you can run effects through it.

[u/seaboardist]

I’m combining two MOTU interfaces to run my 7.1.6 Dolby Atmos system … the newest 828, and an UltraLite mk5.

I also use a Neve 88M for mics, and as a dedicated input for stereo analog gear. Fantastic little box.

[u/StudioKOP]

We have narrowed down to three brands in the studio.

Antelope (discreet 8) is our center as the clocking is very good. The preamps are very clean and crisp.

We have SSL octo for extension but we sometimes use it directly. The SSL can be clean, and also be punchy.

And we have a Neve channel strip for the purist customers.

So in your shoes I might consider an Antelope or SSL to start with…

[u/SnarkaLounger]

Focusrite 18i20 Gen 4 with up to 16 channels of ADAT I/O expansion

[u/Plokhi]

If i wasn’t such an RME bitch I’d probably get a MOTU

[u/Squozen_EU]

I bought a Focusrite C8X - stunning bit of kit which also looks absolutely gorgeous. It replaced an old MOTU Traveler which still worked fine but used FireWire.

[u/Whole-Hand-2030]

Audient without any doubt. Low latency, best converters, very stable, good mixer with hardware loopback.

[u/Ok-Basket7871 → u/Whole-Hand-2030]

Thanks. The Octolite latency is impressive.

[u/Eschatonnage]

I just replaced my 15 year-old RME Fireface UCX with an Audiofuse Studio rev2. Couldn’t be happier. Sounds great, has superior connectivity, and great app and controls.

I looked at the Volt 876 for the same money - and was tempted. But all the overtly vintage-y bells and whistles felt a little gimmicky to me. Especially the nerf’ed 1176-like compressors on the front end.

Audient - I have the id14 for mobile sound design work. It’s decent. The preamps are reasonable, though without much character. But the iD control app is the weakest link. It’s kind of useless, especially compared to the Audiofuse app (to say nothing of RME’s TotalMix). It’s an afterthought at best.

[u/lolitaslolly]

Interfaces will never be as good as a proper AD/DA AND Preamp

[u/Plokhi → u/lolitaslolly]

Que?

You still need an interface.

ADDA takes care of conversion. Preamp takes care of microphone gain.
Interface takes care of digital audio actually reaching the computer. There’s interfaces without preamps or ADDA that only take digital input from external converter and their only purpose is interfacing with a computer (i.e RME digiface series)

[u/lolitaslolly → u/Plokhi]

Interface is synonymous with the devices with built in pre amps and AD, no?

[u/Plokhi → u/lolitaslolly]

Not in the context of “proper adda and preamp”.

Because with proper adda and preamp, you still didn’t solve getting the signal into your computer.

[u/lolitaslolly → u/Plokhi]

It’s fair but I would really argue that the average person on this form would take one look at the digiface and be confused beyond belief because their world view is so much shaped by devices like the 2i2 which are simply referred to as “interfaces,” most people don’t even recognize that there are pre amps and AD/DA