Four-preamp interface?

[b1j]

I don’t want to hijack a recent thread, so I’ll start this one.

I have an entry level interface, the Presonus AudioBox USB 96, which has two combo mic/line inputs going through two mic preamps. That has suited me fine for a while now. I’ve only recently been recording my acoustic in stereo, and I only track one instrument or one vocal at a time. Until now.

I’m getting interested in setups which would use up to four mics simultaneously. (For example, this could be three- or four-part harmony, or spaced pair plus room mics on an acoustic.) What is the next tier of interface for me that can do this with four combo inputs?

I really appreciate that the humble AudioBox has a monitor/playback mix knob so I can adjust the headphone volume of the guitar I’m tracking compared to the already recorded tracks. That helps me hear the nuances of what I’m doing. Many other basic interfaces lack this feature, but I wouldn’t want to lose it.

I wouldn’t mind stepping up to USB-C or even Thunderbolt, now that I have a 2023 MacBook Pro, but I sense that’s not crucial. Having bus power through the connector is also a welcome convenience, especially when I move the setup to another room.

And I’d like to stay under $250.

Feasible?

[phcorrigan]

I have a Behringer UMC404HD that I'm very happy with.

Here's Julian Krause's review:

[jim1960]

The Audient iD44 MKii gets some excellent reviews. The MOTU M6 should also be a strong contender. Both boxes are pretty new on the market but both companies have solid track records. Either would be a great choice. I couldn't find a video review of the MOTU.

[AcousticDreams]

I have a feeling you are a lot like me b1j. Always trying to go the most affordable route. When I got back into guitar 10 year ago...I never thought I would get back into recording.

What I told myself:
I said...I am not going to get into this too deep. I don't want to spend the money to get into this too deep. After all, it is only a hobby, I am not going to try and release an album.

But as my love for acoustic guitar and songwriting grew, so did my need for guitars and recording equipment.

Believe me, I don't want to spend more money...but there is a reasonable chance that as you grow, you will want more equipment. Your love turns to an obsession.

So while you noted you wanted to keep your budget below $250, you will be wise to invest more. Jim1960 recommendation for An Audient is a wise choice.
You can get the Old model..the straight Audient ID44 for $475 to 499 brand new. It has the same features as the Mark II...just not quite as high a specs. Don't get me wrong...I would love to own the Mark II ID44, but the standard one is still a great unit. I bought it specifically because you can completely bypass the preamps and insert your own Preamp.

Unfortunately we always tell ourselves that we only want to spend so much money, and that we are only going to need so much. But that is almost always...never the case. You can't go wrong by allowing for options. it may hurt a little bit more now, but in the long run you will be thankful that you got the higher quality.

***NOW, if I can only listen to my own advice.

[kurth]

I have the behringer as well, which last year I paid $120 on sale at amazon. I'd bet you'd have to be Julian Krauss to hear a difference...although, because I want adat i/o, I've been eyeing the presonus 1810c. The motu's have great metering though and the new audient's have the highest specs.

[egordon99]

SSL SSL12+

I have the SSL 2+ which is the two channel version. It works great with my MacBook Air and I love that it's bus-powered. The preamps sound pretty good to me as well.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by b1j

I don’t want to hijack a recent thread, so I’ll start this one.

I have an entry level interface, the Presonus AudioBox USB 96, which has two combo mic/line inputs going through two mic preamps. That has suited me fine for a while now. I’ve only recently been recording my acoustic in stereo, and I only track one instrument or one vocal at a time. Until now.

I’m getting interested in setups which would use up to four mics simultaneously. (For example, this could be three- or four-part harmony, or spaced pair plus room mics on an acoustic.) What is the next tier of interface for me that can do this with four combo inputs?

I really appreciate that the humble AudioBox has a monitor/playback mix knob so I can adjust the headphone volume of the guitar I’m tracking compared to the already recorded tracks. That helps me hear the nuances of what I’m doing. Many other basic interfaces lack this feature, but I wouldn’t want to lose it.

I wouldn’t mind stepping up to USB-C or even Thunderbolt, now that I have a 2023 MacBook Pro, but I sense that’s not crucial. Having bus power through the connector is also a welcome convenience, especially when I move the setup to another room.

And I’d like to stay under $250.

Feasible?

Just in case you might be interested in going the multi-tracker route, the Zoom R20 has been on sale for as low as $300.

[b1j]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

Just in case you might be interested in going the multi-tracker route, the Zoom R20 has been on sale for as low as $300.

Maybe that with four inputs. Eight would be overkill for me.

[b1j]

Originally Posted by egordon99

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...udio-interface

I have the SSL 2+ which is the two channel version. It works great with my MacBook Air and I love that it's bus-powered. The preamps sound pretty good to me as well.

Glad you like the SSL 2+. My brother has one of those and likes it. For two inputs, I’m happy with the AudioBox. I’m looking for four inputs.

[b1j]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

I have a Behringer UMC404HD that I'm very happy with.

Here's Julian Krause's review:

This looks intriguing. Good price point, and the review is favorable.

It uses the same USB as the AudioBox. That is gradually being superseded by USB-C or Thunderbolt, so I wonder if it will be old tech next year. At the same time, I don’t have any latency or processing issues using that connector now, so should that even be a consideration?

How do you use it? Have you ever used four mics at once? And do you need to use phantom power on all inputs or no inputs?

[grandstick]

I’ve been happy with the Focusrite 18i8 - https://focusrite.com/en/usb-audio-i.../scarlett-18i8

[egordon99]

Originally Posted by b1j

Glad you like the SSL 2+. My brother has one of those and likes it. For two inputs, I’m happy with the AudioBox. I’m looking for four inputs.

Sorry for not being clearer. I linked to the new SSL12+ which has four mic inputs and an ADAT in.

I wish I could easily trade "up" to the SSL12+ as I'd like to be able to record guitar in stereo as well as vocals at the same time.

Plus, it has a power switch :-) (and a few other upgrades from the SSL2+)

[stephenT]

The EVO line from Audient is easy to use, nice built in features and a good sound. I have the EVO 16 I bought after years of using their iD14.

The software interface is beautifully laid out. The EVO 8 is $230.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gec0lMFscY

[dnf777]

I've been very happy with the Universal Audio Volt 276, and they also make a 4-input 476. They seem to get good reviews and are well spoken of. MIght be worth a look.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by b1j

Maybe that with four inputs. Eight would be overkill for me.

You don't have to use them all!

I seldom use more than 3 for myself, but I also occasionally do side projects for acoustic bands where I use 8 inputs at once. A multi-tracker can be so useful for doing mobile recording and doing your own recording in a room that sounds so much better acoustically than where you might normally have your mixing area.

Not trying to change your mind about needing an interface with more inputs, but I love not being shackled to a desktop computer. I suppose if I were using a laptop it might be easier, though.

I do think multitrack makers are missing out by not making machines with 3 or 4 inputs, but once you go over two inputs you get to the point of microphones costing WAY more than a multi-tracker, so there's that aspect to figure in.