pwalpwal
Max Output Level: -43 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3249
- Joined: 2015/01/17 03:52:50
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/05 12:16:56
(permalink)
fwiw, i'd be interested to see how an onboard realtek compares to these also
|
mettelus
Max Output Level: -22 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5321
- Joined: 2005/08/05 03:19:25
- Location: Maryland, USA
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/05 12:28:20
(permalink)
For playback purposes, the onboard Realtek can be used, but requires a second speaker set and different driver mode than ASIO. For recording they fall flat though. If just mixing and/or using MIDI, could easily get by on such a setup but latency with MIDI recording would be painful.
This thread is interesting for me because I have a friend who is going to need hand holding and throwing into the pool to ever use a DAW. USB AI would be a logical choice, but some reviews for entrance units are concerning. It is hard to even make a recommendation for such. I had headed down the F/W path to mitigate USB conflicts and rarely see issues that get posted, but with USB performance I can only rely on reviews.
ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero (Wi-Fi AC), i7-8700k, 16GB RAM, GTX-1070Ti, Win 10 Pro, Saffire PRO 24 DSP, A-300 PRO, plus numerous gadgets and gizmos that make or manipulate sound in some way.
|
dwardzala
Max Output Level: -61 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1470
- Joined: 2008/05/26 19:18:33
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/05 12:48:33
(permalink)
polarbear
I currently have the older Focusrite Scarlett 2i4. What do you guys suggest if I'm looking for something with better latency and better overall quality... But I don't need any more features. I do everything within Sonar. I don't touch anything on the interface itself or in its software that it comes with. Just the volume knob on the box, and that's it. So most of these big huge interfaces with screens and knobs and 20 inputs and outputs... I wouldn't even touch any of it. I just have an In for my Guitar, an In for my Mic, and 2 outs for my two monitors, and a pair of headphones.
As of now I'm probably just gonna go to the new 2nd gen Scarlett 2i4 to get the lower latency, but maybe if there's something that's truly better, but not like $2000 with tons of features I don't need, I'd consider it...
You might look at the UAD Apollo Twin. I don't have any experience but from what I undstand it comes with a bunch of UAD plug ins and has pretty good pre's and drivers.
DaveMain Studio- Core i5 @2.67GHz, 16Gb Ram, (2) 500Gb HDs, (1) 360 Gb HD MotU Ultralite AVB, Axiom 49 Midi Controller, Akai MPD18 Midi Controller Win10 x64 Home Sonar 2017.06 Platinum (and X3e, X2c, X1d) Mobile Studio - Sager NP8677 (i7-6700HQ @2.67MHz, 16G Ram, 250G SSD, 1T HD) M-Box Mini v. 2 Win 10 x64 Home Sonar 2016.10 Platinum Check out my original music: https://soundcloud.com/d-wardzala/sets/d-wardzala-original-music
|
gswitz
Max Output Level: -18.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5694
- Joined: 2007/06/16 07:17:14
- Location: Richmond Virginia USA
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/05 19:16:45
(permalink)
StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen. I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
|
Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
Max Output Level: -47 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2819
- Joined: 2011/02/03 04:31:35
- Location: Sound-Rehab, Austria
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/06 01:49:51
(permalink)
Jim Roseberry
Are we talking the release driver... or the public beta?
there is no more public beta - it turned into official v4.0+71199 | September 1, 2016
GOOD TUNES LAST FOREVER +++ Visit the Rehab +++ DAW: Platinum/X3e, win10 64 bit, i7-3930K (6x3.2GHz), Asus Sabertooth X79, 32 GB DDR3 1600MHz, ATI HD 5450, 120 GB SSD OCZ Agility3, 2x 1TB WD HDD SATA 600 Audio-Interface: 2x MOTU 1248 AVB, Focusrite OctoPre, (Roland Octa-Capture) Control-Surface: VS-700C VSTi: WAVES, NI K10u, FabFilter, IK, ... (too many really)
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/06 08:30:21
(permalink)
OK... but we're still talking about the progeny of the public beta (that allows lower round-trip latency).  Have you tried loading the previous gen driver?
|
Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
Max Output Level: -47 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2819
- Joined: 2011/02/03 04:31:35
- Location: Sound-Rehab, Austria
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/06 08:56:53
(permalink)
Jim Roseberry
OK... but we're still talking about the progeny of the public beta (that allows lower round-trip latency).
Have you tried loading the previous gen driver?
yes. but that was dated March something and wasn't working out for me at all (firmware had seen 2 upgrades since that driver and I didn't feel like messing with firmware rollback) - especially since the other AVB PRO driver just has these occasional quirks which may well be some win 10 issue (when it does not show as ASIO in Sonar, it also does not work as windows audio device...) just updated win10 to latest state (was only out a week) but also device manager found an updated driver for the USB chip which I allowed it to install ... so I keep monitoring this ...
GOOD TUNES LAST FOREVER +++ Visit the Rehab +++ DAW: Platinum/X3e, win10 64 bit, i7-3930K (6x3.2GHz), Asus Sabertooth X79, 32 GB DDR3 1600MHz, ATI HD 5450, 120 GB SSD OCZ Agility3, 2x 1TB WD HDD SATA 600 Audio-Interface: 2x MOTU 1248 AVB, Focusrite OctoPre, (Roland Octa-Capture) Control-Surface: VS-700C VSTi: WAVES, NI K10u, FabFilter, IK, ... (too many really)
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/06 09:04:52
(permalink)
I assume you've got the AVB interfaces connected via USB-2? The USB-3 controllers on X-79 motherboards are all 3rd-party (not Intel). This can cause issues similar to using a non-TI chipset Firewire controller with a Firewire audio interface. The USB-2 ports are Intel. Does this behavior happen when using a single AVB audio interface?
post edited by Jim Roseberry - 2016/10/06 09:26:55
|
The Maillard Reaction
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 31918
- Joined: 2004/07/09 20:02:20
- Status: offline
.
post edited by Caa2 - 2017/04/09 14:22:58
|
Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
Max Output Level: -47 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2819
- Joined: 2011/02/03 04:31:35
- Location: Sound-Rehab, Austria
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/06 09:56:47
(permalink)
Jim Roseberry
I assume you've got the AVB interfaces connected via USB-2?
The USB-3 controllers on X-79 motherboards are all 3rd-party (not Intel).
This can cause issues similar to using a non-TI chipset Firewire controller with a Firewire audio interface.
The USB-2 ports are Intel.
Does this behavior happen when using a single AVB audio interface?
yes and yes usb2 - same when using only one AVB interface (and also observed on a totally difference PC ...) Caa2
What???
So it works great on USB... but only if you have the right USB?
How do you figure out if your existing installed system has the right USB?
don't panic ;-) i'm sure this gets sorted out
GOOD TUNES LAST FOREVER +++ Visit the Rehab +++ DAW: Platinum/X3e, win10 64 bit, i7-3930K (6x3.2GHz), Asus Sabertooth X79, 32 GB DDR3 1600MHz, ATI HD 5450, 120 GB SSD OCZ Agility3, 2x 1TB WD HDD SATA 600 Audio-Interface: 2x MOTU 1248 AVB, Focusrite OctoPre, (Roland Octa-Capture) Control-Surface: VS-700C VSTi: WAVES, NI K10u, FabFilter, IK, ... (too many really)
|
The Maillard Reaction
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 31918
- Joined: 2004/07/09 20:02:20
- Status: offline
.
post edited by Caa2 - 2017/04/09 14:23:12
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/06 11:49:26
(permalink)
On motherboards prior to the Z77 chipset, literally *all* USB-3 controllers were 3rd-party. USB-3 had not yet been integrated into the Intel chipset. Using a 3rd-party USB-3 controller can indeed cause issues with many USB audio interfaces and MIDI controllers. We've seen it countless times... If you're running a Z77, Z87, Z97, Z170, Z170x, X99, or X99p motherboard (or derivatives), you're fine as USB-3 is integrated into the Intel chipset. You implied correctly. The USB controller can/does make a difference. If you've got an older motherboard with 3rd-party USB-3 controller, the solution is to use the USB-2 ports (which are Intel). There's no performance advantage when connecting a USB-2 audio interface to a USB-3 port. This is no different than talking about using a Firewire audio interface. For maximum performance and compatibility, you want to use a TI chipset Firewire controller. Same with SATA-III controllers... Connect a current generation SSD to a 3rd-party SATA-III controller... and benchmark it. Now, connect that same SSD to an Intel SATA-III port... and benchmark it. In most cases, you'll find that the Intel SATA-III controller outperforms the 3rd-party controller.
|
eph221
Max Output Level: -28.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4665
- Joined: 2014/12/22 05:06:50
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/06 20:35:30
(permalink)
Jim Roseberry
Lynx makes excellent audio interfaces.
I used an AES-16e-50 (AES-50 port) for a while... connected to an X32.
Rock solid performance with DAW software... and you can take the ASIO buffer size down to 32-samples.
If you plan to use an older PCI Lynx card, they don't work well in bridged PCI slots.
Any current generation motherboard with PCI slots is using a bridge chip.
I can't find any information on this. People complain that using pci-pcie adapter cards are a no go. But I can't find anything on *bridged pci slots with the Lynx L22.*
|
Leizer
Max Output Level: -82 dBFS
- Total Posts : 446
- Joined: 2012/04/26 16:08:57
- Location: Sweden
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/10 08:58:46
(permalink)
I borrow this thread for a moment:  I have a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB since 4 years and it has earlier worked fine except for a little too high latency when there is plenty of tracks. Lately I have been using more of the Eastwest Play plugin (Hollywood orch platinum). I get really high latency and the performance is like the notes are "stumbling". If I try to play 16th+ 16th+ a 4th, the result can be randomly like 32th, dotted 16th or vice versa. And the stumbling remains at playback, which makes the plugin sort of unworkable. So... I have glanced at the old RME Fireface UC that I can get for what I think a fair price. Would an interface like this solve the latency and stumbling, or is it a common result of EW Play? I don't think the problem is my computer (see tech below), though it is 4-5 years old. Edit: I have SONAR Platinum now
post edited by Leizer - 2016/10/10 09:21:55
Dell i7-2600 3,40 Ghz, 16Gb RAM // SX1 drive: 240 Gb SSD // Windows 7 64 Bit // SONAR Platinum 64 bit // Focusrite Saffire 6 USB // KORG D888 Mixer // Roland JV-2080 MIDI synth // Guitars, basses, violins etc. https://soundcloud.com/lasse-williamsson
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/10 13:39:42
(permalink)
eph221
I can't find any information on this. People complain that using pci-pcie adapter cards are a no go. But I can't find anything on *bridged pci slots with the Lynx L22.*
FWIW, We've never seen a Lynx PCI audio interface work properly in a bridged PCI slot. This is based on numerous scenarios... with numerous different makes/models of motherboard. Echo tended to work with certain bridge chips, RME and M-Audio worked without issues. Avoid Lynx PCI units on any current generation machine... as all PCI slots are bridged.
|
eph221
Max Output Level: -28.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4665
- Joined: 2014/12/22 05:06:50
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/10 15:28:32
(permalink)
It's working fine for me with a buffer of 32, but if something starts creeping up I'll know. Thanks for the advice.
post edited by eph221 - 2016/10/10 15:51:13
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/10 16:08:31
(permalink)
If you've got an X79 motherboard, it has true PCI slot/s (not bridged).
|
eph221
Max Output Level: -28.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4665
- Joined: 2014/12/22 05:06:50
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/10 16:31:48
(permalink)
In addition to x79 the B75, Q75, and Q77 use conventional pci (non bridged). I have a Q77. At least that's what their spec sheet says. According to intel third party manufacturers use the bridged chipsets *sometimes*.
|
Jim Roseberry
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 9871
- Joined: 2004/03/23 11:34:51
- Location: Ohio
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/11 01:26:13
(permalink)
Don't go for a Z77, Z87, Z97, H97, Z170, Z170x, or X99 motherboard. At this point, it's hard to find Z77 motherboards... let alone the derivatives. Z87 derivatives are also hard to find. If you can find one, is most likely going to be Micro ATX form factor. If you're talking about a new build (Z97, H97, Z170, Z170x), if the motherboard has a PCI slot, it's bridged. You can look at the motherboard's layout chart in the manual. The bridge chip is typically near the PCI slot/s. Gigabyte and ASRock clearly identify the bridge chip. Asus gives the chip name (which you can lookup). We've never seen a Lynx PCI audio interface work properly in *any* bridged PCI slot. This isn't to slag Lynx. I used a PCIe Lynx AES-16e-50 (AES-16e with AES-50 port) as my main audio interface when using an X32. Excellent performance in DAW applications...
post edited by Jim Roseberry - 2016/10/11 02:32:20
|
dwardzala
Max Output Level: -61 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1470
- Joined: 2008/05/26 19:18:33
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/11 12:04:40
(permalink)
Do you have your EastWest sample libraries on a separate drive from your projects and Sonar?
DaveMain Studio- Core i5 @2.67GHz, 16Gb Ram, (2) 500Gb HDs, (1) 360 Gb HD MotU Ultralite AVB, Axiom 49 Midi Controller, Akai MPD18 Midi Controller Win10 x64 Home Sonar 2017.06 Platinum (and X3e, X2c, X1d) Mobile Studio - Sager NP8677 (i7-6700HQ @2.67MHz, 16G Ram, 250G SSD, 1T HD) M-Box Mini v. 2 Win 10 x64 Home Sonar 2016.10 Platinum Check out my original music: https://soundcloud.com/d-wardzala/sets/d-wardzala-original-music
|
Westside Steve Simmons
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
- Total Posts : 196
- Joined: 2015/01/11 15:44:22
- Status: offline
Re: Focusrite vs RME vs Motu
2016/10/11 13:27:37
(permalink)
Hi everybody I had a whole post written and the phone rang and now it's gone but thank you all so very much for the input. I have decided to go with the audient id14 for a few reasons.
First of all I have never used more than one input and don't need 6 or 8 or 14 or 24. Second I don't care about the pre amps in the interface since I own focusrite ISA One.
It doesn't have Optical out for my digital monitors but I guess I can live with balanced out. There is also no midi port but I'm guessing that even if I purchase the Behringer X touch both those pieces will run with USB, as will my M-Audio Keystation.
I was told the round-trip latency was well above average and the AD converters among the best in the business.
And it was only three hundred bucks.
I haven't hooked anything up yet and will probably use the Roland V 700 until it is just too inconvenient to live with by avoiding updates.
So thank you all again. Also I've heard good things about that Behringer xtouch as a control surface anybody tried one?
I don't use much except the faders save undo pan and the transport. Everything else I just use the mouse.
Cheers
WSS
|