Audio interface/sound card-what do you use for recording?

Hey all,

I'm currently on the lookout for a new audio interface, I've been using an Emu-0404 usb card for going on 5 years now and need a serious upgrade. Had countless problems with this emu card trying to record my hardware synths (specifically an Alesis Andromeda A6 ) due to audio dropouts while recording line signal and a general flatness in clarity of my A6 , it doesnt sound as sweet played through this card as it does through my hi-fi for some reason (evenwhile recording at 24bit/96 khz). Could anyone recommend me an audio interface that can be trusted to keep the clarity and high fidelity of my synth intact? Would like to know what everyone uses to record their gear with ( hardware synths), I've been thinking of getting a Native Instruments Komplete audio 6 card but wondered first if anyone had had any experience with it? decent card? Thanks for any help guys.

Fast Track Ultra 6 here:

I use it in conjunction with a pretty standard 8ch Alesis mixer. I've got a couple of Elektrons (MD/MnM), Juno 60, MPC1000 and a JV1080 hooked up. Mostly routed into Logic, I get great sound quality and no drop-outs.

how much was that interface jason? I have an m-audio fasttrack and it's been great for like 6 years now.

Around 250 euros from thomann, about a year ago? I used to have an M-Audio Firewire Audiophile which was a bit twitchy, but needed to find a USB solution as I switched to a new laptop minus FW input. The Ultra has been rock solid since day one, it's a great piece of kit for the price.

Editol FA-101 10 in 10 out FireWire interface. it's awesome.

do you guys think this would be a big piece of shit?

http://www.thomann.de/cz/lexicon_omega_studio.htm

lol

I use a MOTU Traveler. It sounds QG

RME Babyface. Great clean sound. I like it loads more than the FA-101 or the Echo Audiofire 8 I had before.

If anyone wants those, however, I'll give you a good price.

I've heard really good things about RME interfaces, bit pricey for me on my current budget, but a company to put on the wishlist I think. Thanks for all the feedback guys.

the line in port on my dell laptop

M-Audio Delta Audiophile 24 96 (greatest budget internal soundcard of all time as far as I can tell) and an Alesis 8 channel Io2.

I got a couple.

Really old MAudio Firewire Solo. Had it for years now, still works more or less perfectly. Not the greatest quality ever, but usable. Mostly use it now for gigs because I wouldn't care too much if it got broken

Also have an Edirol UA25. USB unfortunately, not firewire. Had to get a USB card though, bootcamp seems to have issues launching firewire devices on startup. Still, nice enough card and much better sound quality than the MAudio. Only had it a little while, liking it so far though.

Still, I really really really want a Motu Ultralite 3. Amazing interface! Bit pricey though.

can't complain so far

Apogee Duet here, the first version. Pretty good converters, pristine audio quality you can rely on for both recording and monitoring/mixing. Duet 2's are supposed to be better. If you don't have a mac, check RME's.

Digidesign M-Box 2. It's not great and it's like 80 in gear-years, but it has what I need to work with my Prophet 600 and Machinedrum. Maybe I know I should think about getting a new interface by now, I'll probably look into it next year. Right now I'm thinking about putting some cash towards a mega DI/preamp by Avalon, Universal Audio or something like that.

From what I've read about the Burl, lucky you !

honest question: how are these gadgets better thanthe typical soundblaster type of cards?

Yes, they are. I'm using this:

I am still running an old Echo Layla card and haven't really looked into newer interfaces.

However, I recently visited a friend of mine who had upgraded from an old M-box to an Apogee Ensemble. He played me some examples of vocals recorded through the same mic/mixer and into the different interfaces. I'd dare say the difference was SHOCKINGLY obvious.

  On 10/16/2012 at 3:56 PM, psn said:

...I recently visited a friend of mine who had upgraded from an old M-box to an Apogee Ensemble. He played me some examples of vocals recorded through the same mic/mixer and into the different interfaces. I'd dare say the difference was SHOCKINGLY obvious.

Actual audible sound quality differences, with everything else the same but the soundcard? Do you reckon it's the build quality and converters, or just the fact that the m-box is an older unit?

Focusrite Scarlett

focusrite saffire 6