A good interface without pre-amp?

[chasm144]

Hi,

I have a small homestudio but I realised I need to upgrade my audiointerface since I'm using a pod x3 and it's NOT especially good.

Since I can't record drums or wont be able to do so in a near future i dont need an interface with lots of pre-amps, in fact i just want a good interface with nícekonverters and a breakout box since I'm just gonna buy separat solounit pre-amps for it.

Honestly I've been looking alot but havent find what I'm looking for and it should be in the lowbudget pricerange around 200.. maybe 300 if its good.

/Robin

[hpp99]

Originally Posted by chasm144

Hi,

I have a small homestudio but I realised I need to upgrade my audiointerface since I'm using a pod x3 and it's NOT especially good.

Since I can't record drums or wont be able to do so in a near future i dont need an interface with lots of pre-amps, in fact i just want a good interface with nícekonverters and a breakout box since I'm just gonna buy separat solounit pre-amps for it.

Honestly I've been looking alot but havent find what I'm looking for and it should be in the lowbudget pricerange around 200.. maybe 300 if its good.

/Robin

What connection? USB? PCI? FW? How many channels do you actually need, then? 2? 4?
There are not THAT many interfaces completely without pres.
Examples in your price range (and most of these do have preamps)...

PCI:
EMU 1212
M-Audio Delta 44
Echo Mia

FW:
Echo Audiofire 2 and 4
TC Konnekt 6
Focusrite Saffire
M-Audio Firewire Solo, or for a bit more the Profire 610

USB:
EMU 0202 and 0404
Apogee One
Steinberg CI2
Focusrite Sffire 6 USB

If you can add a bit more and go just above 400, then you could get an Apogee Duet which is soundquality-wise probably the best 2 channel I/O solution anywhere in that price category. (I own one and compared it to a few of the cheaper interfaces.)
Otherwise, the M-Audio Profire 610 has a really good reputation on this forum among low enders, as has the TC Konnekt stuff and the EMU 0202 and 0404. They all should have really decent converters for that money.

The ones that do not have any pres are all of the PCI interfaces, the Echo Audiofire 2, and the Echo Audiofire 12, but that last one is way above the price range you mentioned.

[chasm144]

Originally Posted by hpp99

What connection? USB? PCI? FW? How many channels do you actually need, then? 2? 4?
There are not THAT many interfaces completely without pres.
Examples in your price range (and most of these do have preamps)...

PCI:
EMU 1212
M-Audio Delta 44
Echo Mia

FW:
Echo Audiofire 2 and 4
TC Konnekt 6
Focusrite Saffire
M-Audio Firewire Solo, or for a bit more the Profire 610

USB:
EMU 0202 and 0404
Apogee One
Steinberg CI2
Focusrite Sffire 6 USB

If you can add a bit more and go just above 400, then you could get an Apogee Duet which is soundquality-wise probably the best 2 channel I/O solution anywhere in that price category. (I own one and compared it to a few of the cheaper interfaces.)
Otherwise, the M-Audio Profire 610 has a really good reputation on this forum among low enders, as has the TC Konnekt stuff and the EMU 0202 and 0404. They all should have really decent converters for that money.

The ones that do not have any pres are all of the PCI interfaces, the Echo Audiofire 2, and the Echo Audiofire 12, but that last one is way above the price range you mentioned.

First off, Thank you very much for taking time helping me
The main criteria is really that it should have good konverters so I get the most honest and best sound when recording and playback.

I know alot of the interfaces has pre-amps so I thought about just getting a good pci or firewire soundcard and then a good breakoutbox to get a handful in and outs. I can really only focus on recording single-mic instruments so It seemed a bit off to invest in a for example steinberg mr816 x or a focusrite saffire around 700-800$

I own a pod x3 interface which uses USB but to be honest I have very bad experiences with it, alot of dropouts and such.. I don't know if usb is a better option or not but every serious person seam to use firewire
or pci. If you where short on money 200-300$ what would you go for? I know it might not be much but I can't stand this epic pod x3 latency any longer

Thanks again I really appreciate this!

Regards
/Robin

[hpp99]

If the limit is 200, 2 channel I/O is enough and FW is a must, then definitely the Echo Audiofire 2. Not many features on that box, but sound has a very good reputation among "us low enders". If USB is also ok, then the EMU 0404 is the alternative, the converters are very very good for the price, the pres are usable, the drivers are rock solid, and the low number of I/O is easily handled by USB 2.0

I would pick one of these two. Compare the features they have from the websites of Echo and EMU, and base your choice on which of these boxes delivers more for your needs.

[MrCrowbar]

Originally Posted by hpp99

If the limit is 200, 2 channel I/O is enough and FW is a must, then definitely the Echo Audiofire 2. Not many features on that box, but sound has a very good reputation among "us low enders". If USB is also ok, then the EMU 0404 is the alternative, the converters are very very good for the price, the pres are usable, the drivers are rock solid, and the low number of I/O is easily handled by USB 2.0

I would pick one of these two. Compare the features they have from the websites of Echo and EMU, and base your choice on which of these boxes delivers more for your needs.

Having owned both of these units (well, actually it was the 0404 USB and the Audiofire 4), I'd go for the ECHO. The EMU had decent dynamic response, but the frequency was all over the place, too bassy.

[pjchappy]

I'm very interested in this topic, too. I've checked out all the ones discussed above, but they all have a lot more than I would need.

Basically, I would love to have a box with 2 (preferrably 4) 1/4" analog inputs, with very good AD conversion and a USB 2.0 output. I'm sure input gain pots would come in handy every once in awhile, too.

If such a thing exists, please point it out! thumbsup If not, keep the recommendations like above coming.

Thanks.

[chasm144]

Originally Posted by hpp99

If the limit is 200, 2 channel I/O is enough and FW is a must, then definitely the Echo Audiofire 2. Not many features on that box, but sound has a very good reputation among "us low enders". If USB is also ok, then the EMU 0404 is the alternative, the converters are very very good for the price, the pres are usable, the drivers are rock solid, and the low number of I/O is easily handled by USB 2.0

I would pick one of these two. Compare the features they have from the websites of Echo and EMU, and base your choice on which of these boxes delivers more for your needs.

Alright Thanks for helping me out it means alot since I don't have to possibilty to try it out myself before I buy. I've compared them now and I'm going for the echofire, I'll post again when I got it if anyone is interested on the feedback.

Thanks again!

/Robin

[Musicliner]

I' m a bit surprised that nobody mentioned two very popular, proven and good options, M-Audio Audiophile 2496 (PCI) and Edirol UA-4FX.

UA-4FX especially is a good value and provides a rock solid performance and lots of features (XLR input + phantom power; COSM DSP effects, etc)

[hpp99]

Originally Posted by pjchappy

I'm very interested in this topic, too. I've checked out all the ones discussed above, but they all have a lot more than I would need.

Basically, I would love to have a box with 2 (preferrably 4) 1/4" analog inputs, with very good AD conversion and a USB 2.0 output. I'm sure input gain pots would come in handy every once in awhile, too.

If such a thing exists, please point it out! thumbsup If not, keep the recommendations like above coming.

Thanks.

That description perfectly fits the EMU 0202 (or 0404 for 4 I/O). thumbsup

[chasm144]

Hey all!

I just got an offer on an m-audio 1814 for 220$, brand new, is it good should i go for that rather than the echo-fire or the emu 0404?