jolaw
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 .
 

I used a Windows DAW for years, over the last year I've been almost entirely Mac based for reasons I won't bore you with.

That advice you were given is very, very bad advice. A Windows PC can give latency results as low as a Mac, but Windows is likely to need some configuration to get there, especially with power saving options, core parking and maybe things like disabling the wi-fi when using the DAW. If you search these forums for "latency", "dpc" and "latencymon" you'll find lots of information about this. Macs are simpler to set up and have useful things like built-in MIDI networking (if you need such a thing, most people don't) - but they cost a lot more than an equivalent PC.

The current Mac Pro (the cylindrical black thing) is rather outdated, to put it mildly, and not the best Mac for audio work either. The i7 MacBook Pro is good, and an iMac configured with an i7 processor will beat the current Mac Pro easily for almost all DAW purposes. Apple have announced a new "iMac Pro" to be launched in December, what the final spec will be isn't settled yet but it's likely to be expensive. It will almost certainly be far better than the current PRo, which really should have been retired from Apple's range or seriously updated a few years ago.

No, you don't need a UAD interface or external plugin processor either. The UAD processors can be nice things to have, and do take some processing load off the computer itself but that's really only relvant if your computer can't keep up with what you're doing and for some reason you don't want to have to "freeze" tracks to reduce processor loading. Or if you decide to get a UAD because really like the sound of UAD plugins, of course.

For your budget and based on what you say you are doing, a basic Focusrite interface will almost certainly be adequate. If you want an interface with a reputation for low latency, solid drivers and good manufacturer support take a look at the RME range, especially the Babyface if you don't need many inputs. Though unless you are recording "real" instruments or vocals you don't really need mic preamps of RME quality because you won't be using them anyway.

My advice would be to get an interface that has its own power supply, not powered by the USB connection becasuse they tend to give lower latency and be of better general quality, and to consider getting one with a couple more inputs than you need right now in case you find at some point you do have a use for the inputs.

Slugbaby

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.

 I hate that. I worked in the optical business and some customers would try that. The difference is they really didn't know what they were asking. 
 
 I tend to have compassion towards GC employees.  Some of them are probably going to recording school and there knowledge outside of Macs is very limited.  At Sweetwater you have sales engineers.  At GC you have people who don't want to work at fast food places or follow a dress code. 

jolaw
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'd also take a look at what software is more resource heavy and make changes.  EW stuff is not resource friendly.
He may be right about Macs being lower latency but Apple works towards making your hardware obsolete while Windows works to keeping legacy devices active.  I'm still running M-Audio legacy devices on W10 while that would not be possible with any recent Mac.
 Also in the future build your own systems which rules out Mac.  The return value is far better.  
 
 Usually "sales" people  like that have a limited world on the Windows side.  
 

Sales people are sales people and get paid for selling you stuff.  They aren't evil, but buyer beware.  If you'll buy a more expensive item, that is not their fault.  They aren't hired as experts.  Most are simply musicians.
 
As far as latency, that is on the interface drivers, mostly, and incompatibilities within your own system (once you've checked your settings for recording). 
 
If you are worried about latency, my real-world experience finds that the TASCAM US-20x20 is a good buy. Compared on 2 systems against a UH-7000 (tascam again) I could get down to 4+ ms RT on USB 3, while USB 2 on both units were 9-11 ms, as was the UH-7000.  My interface before was a TC Konnekt FW at about 10 ms.  So, on my system the USB 3 interface showed significant cut in latency on an I 5 (my desktop I 7 doesn't have USB 3).  Note, none of the cheaper TASCAM units uses USB 3.
 
Although it retails for $400, it is a good quality, professional equipped piece.  Conversion and pre quality it great, latency is low, 8 pres + 2 line inputs + coax + optical digital in/outs.  It has all the in/outs you'll need at home so there is room to grow before you get a new interface, and you'll always need more ins.

i suggest you keep saving up until you can get a quality piece.
 
otherwise,
you will end up selling it for a loss when you decide you really need a better piece.
 

batsbrew
i suggest you keep saving up until you can get a quality piece.
 
otherwise,
you will end up selling it for a loss when you decide you really need a better piece.
 

Perhaps.


From the other side of the coin, I went cheap first. I bought a $200 Focusrite and was very happy.  If I wasn't, i would have sold it at a loss and attributed that as a 'lesson learned'. I would know exactly what was lacking in the cheapie and what I needed to focus on when buying the higher-end model.
It's a risk, but it sometimes pays off...

jolaw
 
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 .

Though it would seem you've defined your requirements fairly well, you actually haven't. This is because there are lots of people using those same plugins. Some of them get along just fine with a budget interface ($300 is a budget interface price point IMO) while others simply could not do what they do without more interface muscle. 

In other words if you're using 3 or 4 individual plugins per project and not much on the effect side of things, chances are you won't tax the abilities of any interface in your price range. But if you like to load up the synth rack with 6 or 10 modules and the load up the output racks with lots of effects, most interfaces in your price range are going to struggle to keep up. 

Which is why the UAD stuff gets recommended. Because those interfaces bring their own effects processing horsepower to the party thus lightening the load on your CPU. As has been mentioned, the RME stuff is also very good but comes with a price tag to match quality and ability of the gear. 

You generally get what you pay for when it comes to interfaces. If your projects tend to be on the light side and/or you're willing to make good use of freezing tracks when required, you can get away with just about any interface. If your projects are heavy and you don't want to freeze much or at all, you're either going to have to adjust your budget or your expectations IMO.

batsbrew
i suggest you keep saving up until you can get a quality piece.
 
otherwise,
you will end up selling it for a loss when you decide you really need a better piece.
 

This ^^^
 
Buy the best and cry once.

I have a Focusrite 18i20 2nd gen and love it. Had a Roland Quad capture before that but returned it. Just recently found a deal on a Foocusrite 2i4 2nd gen. Using that one for a mobile unit. I used both with Windows 10 and no problems yet. I would recommend Sweetwater as where to buy it. When I was having trouble with my Quad they went above and beyond to fix the problem and they made the return easy as pie. Which is when I got the 18i20 from them.Just a lot of choices out there to be made. I probably wont ever use all the ins and outs but it is nice to know they are there if need be.  Anyway hope this might help in your decisions.