Audio interface: M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8r vs ESI ESU1808

[danielb]

Hi all,

I am going to buy a new audio interface and I seem to have narrowed my search down to two candidates: the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8r and the ESI ESU1808.

They both seem pretty much the same, and they cost about the same too. All reviews that I have seen give both of them pretty much the same high marks.

I am leaning towards the ESI because it has more inputs. As well as the usual softsynths, I have three stereo hardware synths, each one of which will take up at least two inputs. One of them has multiple outputs so it can take up more if I want. I also use one microphone.

The M-Audio device has the edge over the ESI for microphone pre-amps, but it is extremely unlikely that I will ever need to connect 8 microphones to it. On the other hand, all of my equipment will fill up 7 of its 8 inputs straight away, which leaves little room for future expansion, which gives the edge to the ESI's 16 inputs.

Does anyone have any further insights over which of these two devices is superior, or any other of their competitors which might also be suitable. I need USB since my laptop has no Firewire.

Thanks,

Daniel

[prene1]

you can get the profire 2626 and have the best of both worlds.