#1
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In Need of New Interface
Hi,
I recently upgraded my Laptop to a new Macbook Pro with the Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, and using Logic Pro X. I need a new interface. I already have really nice preamps and AD/DA converters. All I need is an interface that gets my recorded signal from my AD/DA Converter into my Macbook Pro. I used to use a M-Audio Profire 610, but they no longer provide driver support for newer OS's. I am considering the Apogee Element 24, since it allows internal preamp bypass. I was also looking at the Audient iD22, but wasn't sure about being able to bypass the internal preamps. Thanks! Rick Last edited by Rick Shepherd; 02-05-2020 at 12:09 AM. |
#2
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What brand and model is your ADC and DAC and what connections does it provide to connect to an interface (i.e. Toslink, SPDIF, AES)? What future expansion/features might you be interested in?
MOTU has a line of interfaces and I believe there would be compatibility with your Mac, but I'm not overly familiar with the Thundebort 3 USB-C interface so I can't be sure of that compatibility. The Model 8D has no preamps or converters or analog I/O other than headphones. The Ultralite mk4, Ultralite AVB, and 624 have varying additional I/O and preamps. They all have some level of digital interface(s) to external converters (Toslink and/or SPDIF and/or AES) and DSP (which includes a nice router/mixer and EQ/etc).
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Chuck 2012 Carruth 12-fret 000 in Pernambuco and Adi 2010 Poling Sierra in Cuban Mahogany and Lutz 2015 Posch 13-fret 00 in Indian Rosewood and Adi Last edited by ChuckS; 02-05-2020 at 10:24 AM. |
#3
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Quote:
It is a bit of a conundrum if you already have outboard conversion and pres. Ideally all you need is just a TB 3 output, standalone interface no pres' no conversion (if anybody even makes such a thing ) And as you note the problem with most inexpensive combo interfaces is that they either do not have, or do not indicate a means to bypass the pre's and they have converters as well . So I am guessing as you seem to have determined that you are looking at a 2 channel TB 3 interface that allows bypass (like the Apogee ) or find likely candidates and call the mfg for bypass info
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 Last edited by KevWind; 02-07-2020 at 07:50 AM. |
#4
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Here's a nice one: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...hz_ada_da.html
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen Last edited by keith.rogers; 02-05-2020 at 02:20 PM. Reason: Correct previous bad edit (put link inside quote) |
#5
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I doubt that most combo audio interfaces totally bypass their preamps, but many of them have a few line level analog inputs (but this assumes you want to use their ADC). Usually I only need two channels for tracking. I'm using the Motu Ultralite AVB audio interface with an external 2 channel preamp and external 2 channel ADC; connection is via Toslink. On the rare occasion where I need more channels I use another 2 channels of external preamps I have into the Motu's line level analog inputs (and use the Motu's ADC), and if I need even more channels I use the pair of preamps (and ADC) in the Motu.
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Chuck 2012 Carruth 12-fret 000 in Pernambuco and Adi 2010 Poling Sierra in Cuban Mahogany and Lutz 2015 Posch 13-fret 00 in Indian Rosewood and Adi |
#6
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Out of curiosity, what preamps and converters do you have?
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Jim 2023 Iris ND-200 maple/adi 2017 Circle Strings 00 bastogne walnut/sinker redwood 2015 Circle Strings Parlor shedua/western red cedar 2009 Bamburg JSB Signature Baritone macassar ebony/carpathian spruce 2004 Taylor XXX-RS indian rosewood/sitka spruce 1988 Martin D-16 mahogany/sitka spruce along with some electrics, zouks, dulcimers, and banjos. YouTube |
#7
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Quote:
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#8
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I have an Avalon AD2022. and a UA610 pre
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#9
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Kev, exactly! I dont need the extra pre’s. The Profire 610 was/is a great interface because it has spdif, balanced ins and outs. My UA2192 has AES ins/outs, balanced ins/outs, ADAT ins/outs. Last edited by Rick Shepherd; 02-06-2020 at 07:54 PM. |
#10
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The RME would accept the ADAT output from your UA and *also* act as an interface to the computer. Isn't that what you are looking for?
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen |
#11
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Seems like the key element is wanting an interface with the speed of a Thunderbolt 3 connection to the computer, which is 4 times faster than USB 3.1 and 83 times faster than USB 2 .
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 Last edited by KevWind; 02-07-2020 at 09:10 AM. |
#12
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I use the Ensemble Thunderbolt, which lets me bypass the preamps. That works fine. But note that you're not bypassing the A/D. Previously, I used an RME card that was just what you want - interface only. But it requires the ability to install a PCI card. Seems hard to go with a totally component approach these days.
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Music: Spotify, Bandcamp Videos: You Tube Channel Books: Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), Christmas Carols for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), A DADGAD Christmas, Alternate Tunings book Online Course: Alternate Tunings for Fingerstyle Guitar |
#13
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You don't need anything more than USB 2.0 for what the OP is sending, or even a lot more when it's only audio, really. But, I'm sure a native Thunderbolt interface with ADAT input is out there for a princely sum. (Another reason I'm resisting updating my old Mini, much as it needs it - my FW interface becomes a doorstop.)
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen |
#14
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What about this one? Thoughts? I mean, do I really need any other connection options to get the most out of my rig?
Motu M4 USB-C |
#15
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Isn't that everything you're trying to avoid? It has line in, so maybe bypasses the mic preamps, but you'd be going thru its A/D.
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Music: Spotify, Bandcamp Videos: You Tube Channel Books: Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), Christmas Carols for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), A DADGAD Christmas, Alternate Tunings book Online Course: Alternate Tunings for Fingerstyle Guitar |