VERY open ended audio interface question...
 

OK, so...

What, in your opinion, is the best 2 input/2 or 4 out audio interface for quality and features???

This would be used in conjunction with a control surface. At the moment only using one pair of monitors.

As always, thanks for the input!

Oh, and USB Type C is acceptable along with USB 2.0. Or 3 for that matter....

what can you afford? what are your recording plans? thunderbolt or just usb?

i would look into the following brands: focusrite, steinberg, presonus, universal audio, tascam and even behringer.

also join gearslutz.com, gearpage and tdpri. you can post your question there and get much more exposure.

check sweetwater, GC, musician's friend, and others as there are reviews that give you an idea of what is available.

don't depend upon the sound but youtube would give you somewhat of an idea of the different ones.

remember black friday/cyber monday is coming.

play music!

That is an excellent point.

Let's say that there is a pretty high ceiling on price, been saving for a bit for this stuff.

Will be used for everything from songwriting to demos to more polished stuff for social media and websites. Mostly for just me and guitar/virtual instruments, occasionally for other people I am collaborating with.

I have a focusrite 2i2 and, though I thought I might like more input channels, I've yet to have an occasion where I'd use them. I mostly use the features of the DAW than the interface.

I would say look at these:

Audient iD22 - really nice preamps & maybe the best converters of the bunch
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - best value
UAD Apollo Twin - added benefit of UAD plugin processing

From there is really depends on what's important to you & your workflow. Overall sound quality probably goes to the Audient. Best bang for buck goes to the Focusrite. More mixing power goes to the Apollo.

None of them are bad choices.

I was looking into a RME ADI-2 Pro FS 2-in/4-out AD/DA Converter.
Looks great on paper and seems to have loads of operational flexibility
Runs around 2 grand. If my current set up ever goes..........
For twice the price you can get a Antelope Audio’s Eclipse 384, but it does not have the DSP facilities


I currently use a (used) Apogee Rosetta 200 with fire wire card. They are a bit colored (really fat low end) which I like. They were the talk of the town when they first came out and are still given much praise. You can get them used for a few hundred bucks. A bit more will get you 8 channels of high end conversion on a Rosetta 800

I was definitely impressed by a lot of the things I have read about the Audient, I think I am actually leaning that way. I do like the UAD as well, the only downside is that I would need to buy a Thunderbolt 2 PCIe card. Unfortunately, it is the one I/O I don't have on my motherboard.

Actually, the twin duo does come in USB 3. The Solo is less expensive, I just need to research the difference between having one SHARC processor as opposed to two.

More power for more plugins is basically the difference.

For me, the coolest feature the Apollo has is the Unison feature...where you can insert a plugin that changes the way the Apollo preamps work. I occasionally work at a studio that has an Apollo & I really like the Neve 88R Unison plugin. It really gets very "Neve-esque" when you push it.

The best? Moto, RME, Apollo. But its a moot point if the other parts of your recording/monitoring chain are not up to par.
Like putting retread tires on a Ferrari - you're still limited by the weakest part of the system.
What monitors do you have? Is the room acoustically balanced and treated?

I am very happy with my Behringer UHC404HD. 4 inputs. MIC/INT each one. I think I paid a whopping 99 bucks for it. I use it a with Ableton Live Lite 9. I have a pair of M-Audio powered monitors hooked up to it. Bought the pair used, paid even less than the interface. I normally use in-ears to record and the 404 has separate volume controls for the monitors and the headphones which is nice. I can turn the monitors 'off' so I dont get a feedback loop into my recording. My set up works good for what I use it for. I am looking to upgrade very soon to a true mixing board with USB interface. I need more inputs and tactile control surfaces. The mouse thing drives me nuts.

Audio Interface
 

Are you using a PC or Mac?

If PC, in my opinion, RME has the best and most stable Windows drivers. I used to have driver issues with Universal Audio, but since switching to RME my setup is rock solid. RME has great quality converters and preamps as well.

As another poster mentioned, upgrading your audio interface will make the most difference if your mics, monitors, plugins and room are up to the same level. Recording technique and experience are huge factors too, not to mention learning how to properly use software effects/plugins such as reverb, compression, EQ and maximizing/limiting.

The learning process is a lot of fun though!

Good luck.

I was so pleased with my Behringer UMC 202HD I bought around 18 months ago that I recently bought the 4 channel UMC404HD.

I also have a RME Babyface so I know what a quality USB interface is like.
But for day to day use the UMC404HD suits me better due to more inputs, tidier desk space (I don't like the Babyface spaghetti wiring), and a louder headphone output. I'll keep the Babyface as it sounds and performs very well and I may add another 8 channels via the ADAT interface.

Focusrite Scarlet Series
 

RME Babyface, small form factor, ridiculously good drivers, bundled software (totalmix) is great, nice sounding preamps.

VERY open ended audio interface question...
 

I have used a Focusrite 2i2 for a while but last week I bought an Audient ID44. Main reason was that the micamps on the 2i2 became noisy but still were not strong enough for my low signal output small diaphragm condenser mics from line audio. I also needed more inputs but for your situation the ID22 should work fine. Built like a tank!

Last night I concluded a recording session with 5 layers of guitar and one layer of bass - the additional Audient ID44 software was really helpful when setting up the different scenarios

RME
 

After owning on several others, I have settled on RME. They seem to have the most stable Windows drivers.

The Audients would certainly be on my list if I was considering a new mic.

I have a Focusrite Clarett 4pre. Great unit.

Probably best to post an actual dollar amount budget range , because unfortunately "Let's say that there is a pretty high ceiling on price, been saving for a bit for this stuff ". is still vague and definitely relative to the individual

For example example lets say that "pretty high ceiling" is $25,000 for a home studio . In that case then in a USB interface (In my opinion) one of if not the best 2 in 4 out you can get, is Prism Sound Lyra 2
Arguably the best converters and pres you will find in a combo interface

https://vintageking.com/prism-sound-lyra-2

I have had an Scarlett 212 but replaced it with a used Audient ID14 which I find better / warmer

If you're on a budget you can't beat the Behringer UMC404 HD for price and features. I was sceptical when I bought it years ago but it has plenty of hours logged on it now and I absolutely love it. That particular model has 4 inputs (midas preamps to).

I retired my RME Babyface recently after buying a UMC404. I've also got a UMC202HD I bought around 18 months ago.

I'm not saying the UMC Midas pre-amps are better than the Babyface ones but it suits my workflow better to have a bass guitar, electric guitar and condenser mic at the ready using 3 inputs of the UMC404. Also the headphone output is louder than the Babyface.

The Behringer UMC series run without any drivers under Apple OS-X and they will run at 32 samples latency on my 2 computers.

It’s the price. I was skeptical too, as I had a Scarlett Solo that I paid more for than the 404.

So far, no complaints. I like the 4 inputs, I use it to track drums as well as guitar and bass. The extra inputs lets me set up a sound on sound rig using multiple amps.

The more inputs the better. You will find a use for them even if you think you won't.

It all depends on your budget. Focusrite are great value as are Audient and RME and Apollo!

You're darn skippy! I'm about to pull the trigger on an X-Touch control surface and an ADA8200, which I think should let me piggy back onto the 404 to give me 12 channels. Need to add at least 4 more mics on my drum kit.

You can see the 404 off to my left. It is a workhorse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT1A6ThIgVU

Pretty sure it doesn't have preamps and guitar level isn't enough, but does have lots of flexibility.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Behringer UMC404 HD. Midas pre's and super low latency.