Hi all :) I'm currently looking around for a audio interface to re-solve issues like latency , audio drop outs etc. I'm not doing any vocal or band live recordings . But rather to run vst plugins and wav loops in my pc . So more on instrumental  arrangements . Mine is a simple in a bedroom  set up . One musical keyboard connected to pc via usb , a old boss 8 tracks mixer and a pair of studio monitors.
 
Recently i sent an email to a music shop asking about focusrite 2nd gen 2i2 and 2i4 . The person replied me and recommended me to buy UAD interface as he feels focusrite will not resolve my problem . His reason :- Running vst plugins require process power from my computer and window tends to have noticeable latency problems . Thats why people go for mac . His last advice to me is to buy a mac pro if my budget permits .
 
Do i really need to buy a Uad interface or its possible to  buy a cheaper but reliable audio interface  ? I google uad interface price and its out of  my budget :( . I hope to keep my budget below $300 .However if i really need to top up more to re solve all these issues , then  i will do so but hopefully not as much as $450.
 
I'm using sonar platinum with third party plugins like kompete 11 ultimate , east west gold , AAS and rapture pro . My computer is Hp desktop :- Intel(R) Core (TM) i5-3550 cpu @ 3.30ghz , 16 gb ram . Operating on window 10 .
 
Oh yea , forgot to mention that i need it for future live performance as well . Looking to buy another host  either gig performer , cantabile or forte as the host .
 
Thanks !
Jo
 
 
 

I've got a Focusrite 2i2, and run a decent amount of VSTs.  As you can see from my signature, my PC setup is very similar to yours.
 
I'm very happy with it, and have no noticeable latency.  The trick is to balance your buffer settings to have a faster response when you're recording, and then a slower response when you need the processing power for synths and VSTs.
If you run your keyboard via USB, that may cause problems.  If you connect it to the Focusrite via MIDI cable, everything should go through the one I/O box.  The Focusrite 2i4 is the same as the 2i2 but with the added MIDI connections.
I recommend it highly for bedroom studios. 

Without getting into specifics about computer horsepower, I would take that music shop advice with a grain of salt. 
 
Focusrite interface should be fine for what you're doing. I have one and use it for mobile work and it's great. The UAD interface is pretty sweet, and it does run it's own plugins off it's own processor which is what your shop guy is referring to, but your host machine should be able to process a bunch of VSTs without too much trouble.
 
When you get into live usage the priorities change but if you do your prep right it also shouldn't be a problem. I used Ableton for live stuff for a while but found it was more than I needed since I don't do a lot of remixing on the fly. I switched to Mainstage on my Mac laptop and mapped some buttons to song changes and it works great. Don't even need to look at the laptop anymore so I keep it mostly closed. It's great. Also all running off the Focusrite 2i2.

You should have separate rendered mixdowns for live performance anyways so you shouldn't need a whole project with 10-20+ live processing tracks anyways.  In most cases a live DAW is effectively just a big iPod.  That said, the 3550 is adequate but if you're going to be recording/mixing with vsti's a lot or using a lot of plugins, more power is always better.  Your setup is fine for now but keep an eye out for updating the processor if you can.  

Hi. I agree with the advice given so far. Focusrite is a good option. I'd go for the 2i4, as it has separate MIDI.
As for the Mac advice.
It just goes to show that the person replying didn't know what he / she was talking about 
All the best.

Thanks guys for your great advice !

...wicked
Without getting into specifics about computer horsepower, I would take that music shop advice with a grain of salt. 

Grain of salt? You are being too kind. That advice is pure garbage. Obviously looking for a big commission check. After he sells you the UA stuff and the Mac to go with it, he will sell you on Pro Tools, all new plugins, etc.
 
Go with the focusrite and you'll be very happy.

There is sort of a price point issue here as you have set a budget of $300.
You'll find all the interfaces in that price range are going to perform about the same and there's lots that will do the trick. You need to make the next jump in price point to around $500+ to afford brands like RME or Motu which seem to be the one's everyone recommends for solid performance and good quality drivers.
 
In the $150 price point there are 3 that seem to work well for Sonar and then for a few dollars more you get more in/outs. The performance will stay the same until you make that $500 jump. 
 
The Scarlett 2i4 https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i4G2
The Tascam us2x2 https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/US2X2
The Stienberg UR 22 MkII    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UR22MKII  
 
My gripe against the Focurite is they use Buss power which is prone to issues with some Phantom powered mikes. The other 2 have both buss power and a wall wart.  There are other brands but these 3 are the ones you hear the best feedback from Sonar users about.
 
Make a list of the features you want now and in the future. It's nice to have the extra inputs if you play a few different instruments. This way they can stay plugged in.
I wrote a short blog with a shopping list  click on the  Audio interface Shopping List  tab
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/Recording.htm
 
 
 
 
 

Why can't music store staff just man up and say "I don't know"? It doesn't seem to matter what you ask them (trying to stump music store salespeople is a personal hobby), they'll make up an answer if they have to. It's possible guy was not being disingenuous but just not knowledgeable, but my guess is he saw an opportunity to sell you a high-margin device for a nice commission.
 
First of all, the audio interface has little to do with latency. Going from a budget interface to a high end model will at best buy you a millisecond or two. If you're having a hard time playing soft synths now, you're probably currently dealing with 20-30 ms latency or more. Get that below 10 ms and you shouldn't have any problems unless you're a drummer. A new interface won't do that for you. So don't buy an audio interface, it's not what you need.
 
I use Cantabile without an external interface, nothing more than the five-dollar Realtek chip in the laptop. It works fine. One less thing to pack around to gigs.
 
BTW, Focusrite is good stuff for the money. So's Roland. The next significant step up (e.g. RME, Lynx, Apogee, etc.) will run you 4 to 5 times as much.
 
 

bitflipper
Why can't music store staff just man up and say "I don't know"? It doesn't seem to matter what you ask them (trying to stump music store salespeople is a personal hobby), ....

 
I think you've got a great theme for a YouTube channel there.