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Interfaces, again. 4 discrete outs, K-Mix, Tascam US4x4HR, SSL 2+, Audiofuse Rev2?
Hi All,
I know, I know, another interface thread.
But I have my excuses- have some specific things I want to accomplish and it's a minefield out there trying to find the right thing.
Requrements are:
Min 2 xlr/combo ins
Min 4 independent outs- I am wanting to use a few fx for a vocal channel which will require a mono or stereo out. I then need another stereo out for seperate mixing of app synths.
This is for a live rig hence the need for 4 simultaneous outs.
I seem to see quite a few interfaces that claim 4 outs, but on closer examination they can't do 4 truly individual outs, just 2 duplicate pairs.
MOTU M4 seems to be the go to especially for RTL, but it also seems to be perpetually out of stock in the UK.
Candidates:
Arturia Audiofuse Rev2- seems to have everything I might need including the very useful usb hub. Relatively expensive though.
Audient ID14ii
Tascam US 4x4HR- perhaps a bit of a dark horse? Have read some positive reviews on it.
Keith MacMillen K-Mix- I love this unit conceptually, and also because it has extra capabilities for midi which I would put to use. Definitely concerned about RTL which I imagine wouldn't be so great compared to something from the last couple of years. Have never seen it measured anywhere apart from the one way figures in the manual.
Other suggestions welcome- good pres seem to be a given these days but they are a concern, with RTL being the other big factor.
I had wondered if it will be as simple to route as choosing output per instance, in AUM?
Comments
Would the Scarlett 4i4 qualify as one of the interfaces that claims 4 outputs but doesn’t deliver? I own one but haven’t tried to assign 4 individual outputs, and the current lockdown situation in my city precludes me going to its current location to actually find out. 🤪 The manual is certainly ambiguous: it mentions a scenario in which “4 outputs are fed into a mixer”, but I don’t what that means, exactly.
If you don’t mind 2 of the 4 outputs being rca there’s the SSL 2+, also depending on your budget and device there’s the Apogee Duet. If you’re using it with an IPad with USB C then the latest Duet would be the one to get. If you’re using an IPad with a lightning connection then you could get an older one.
That's a variation on the theme that I see again and again. Ambiguous statements with no clarity.
I don't know about the 4i4- it's tough to keep track of all the interface capabilities these days.
Something that would have worked well would have been the Soundcraft Notepad 12fx mixer with usb. My brother has the 8fx which is 2x2 on the usb side. I tried it this week and was subjectively happy with the perceived RTL (vocals and ios synths simultaneously).
Cool, I'll get the 12fx with usb 4x4 I thought.
Nope.....checking the manual, it can't do true 4 independent outs this way. Huge missed opportunity.
Fedup with wack situations like this. It would be so easy for manufacturers to be clear on this.
I am actually veering towards the Tascam.
Can always buy try and return if it doesn't deliver.
I had considered the SSL too, yeah. RCA is a pain live but could be worked round.
I'm on an M1 Pro so the Duet 3 would be good but...it's quite spendy. Wouldn't rule it out of course- does anyone know if you can access the built-in fx strips on ios? For some reason I had thought it was only 2 out. Pleased to be wrong!
edit- I see you have to pay for the fx seperately- less attractive.
I ditched my Mackie mixer+iConnectAudio4 in favor of my old K-Mix. It’s fantastic, although it lacks headroom for mic and guitar inputs.
Latency is no problem. I play guitar through it.
@mistercharlie I had been keen on the K-Mix, cos that form factor and flexibility is like nothing else. Thanks for the comment on latency - very useful. When you say it lacks headroom, is it a major issue?
@Anagram_R No, the lack of headroom is never a problem in practice. All it really means is that the useful range of the input gain is all at the bottom end of the slider. And that’s only for the two combo TRS/XLR channels.
Plus, once it’s in the machine, it’s all digital, and 32-bit floating point, so you can never really clip after that.
My guess is that the headroom limit is down to it being usb powered. Thats’s just a guess though.
Another thought: while most functions are controlled from the unit, some require the (excellent) desktop app. The only one you’ll probably ever need is setting pre/post on the USB ins and outs. Just FYI.
@mistercharlie Thanks so much man. Think you are right on the micro-usb power limitation, I'm sure I read somewhere that they designed the pres on the K-Mix to operate with crazy low amounts of current.
I always imagine an updated one...
Very tempted to order and do a face-off with a more current interface. Will update for sure if I do!
I used the K-Mix for quite awhile with my ipad pro. Not a fan of the touch faders. And you most definitely need a desktop computer to run the editor, which is 100% necessary IMO. Physically the K-Mix is pretty bombproof. There’s compromises to be made with I/O routing depending on how you work. The MIDI control layer is useful. If KMI had made an iOS editor I may have kept it.
Zoom U-44.
Main outputs 1+2 balanced jacks
Outputs 3+4 either unbalanced RCA and/or SPDIF
Bus or battery powered
Komplete Audio 6 mkii
Outputs 1>4 balanced jacks
Outputs 5+6 SPDIF
Bus powered
You only need the desktop app to change a few settings. I used mine for a long time either standalone or with an iPad, and almost never used the Mac app. However, if you often need to change pre/post for USB in/out, you have to use the desktop app. Ditto for changing midi settings. It all depends on how you use it.
I also prefer knobs to faders. But anything remotely close in terms of routing and i/o, that also has knobs, is huge. It’s all tradeoffs.
I’m not trying to sell you on the k-mix. I do like mine though. I used to use a Mackie and iConnect, but now all my boxes (OP-1, Digitakt) can connect over usb, so I don’t need nearly as much IO. My desk is way cleaner now!
Thanks for all of the other suggestions.
I like the idea of the K-Mix because in most gig situations, those lit up faders and controls will be easy to see. Desktop is no issue cos I have that ability with Win 10 or macOS.
I actually ordered a Tascam Series 208i. Bus power isn't that important to me (it doesn't have it), and I think this interface is worth a try, after digging around I found a lot of very happy owners. It just seems to have slipped under the radar, unhyped, unmentioned.
Like the per individual channel 48v, and the 8 outs as standard.
Might get brave and order a K-Mix too, and send back whichever one that doesn't cut it. I'm reading the K-Mix manual now as I'd need to be as up to speed as possible, to make the most of any time before the return period runs out. Certainly seems a more deep dive proposition.
That Tascam looks great. Lots of line outs too, and proper knobs for input gain!