Which 8 channel audio interface to buy?

Filament

I'm not sure which is the best audio interface for my needs. I have a machinedrum with 6 outs and a nord modular g2 with 4 outs amongst other things and would like to record up to 10 separate channels independently.

There is the motu 828 mk2 and the echo audiofire12 which I have been looking at, but there are mixed reviews.

The 828 mk2 has a firewire option and a usb 2 option. Is there much difference in speed these days?

I have a pc running windows xp.

I cannot afford an RME fireface as I have a budget of around 400 quid.

Any advice would be welcome.

Miles

State Machine · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:11 am Post subject:

Miles,

This is only if you have a PC with a PCI slot:

I use a Delta 44 from M-Audio which is balanced 4 IN, 4 OUT but the Delta 1010 is the upgrade. I have never had any trouble with a delta series EVER. I have two of the 44's. The new drivers seem solid under Abelton Live 7.x

I find the interfaces that are placed directly on a bus inside the computer are more reliable than the serial interface units. No bullshit protocol stack overheads involved to go wrong. Others may disagree but this is my opinion.

Lots of serial interfaces like Firewire are particular about what firwire chip sets they connect to and can lead to trouble like the Alesis iO26. I have seen Firwire to belly up during hot swapping also.

Bottom line, I run PC's with Micro ATX formfactor boards for studio and LIVE work and use interfaces that connect directly to the bus (PCI or PCIe) ........

Bill

BobTheDog · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:39 am Post subject:

Stay clear of the Motu 828, I have had two of these and both had very very noisy PSUs.

The RME fireface interfaces are highly recomended.

Andy

BobTheDog · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:42 am Post subject:

Also go for firewire not usb. Usb drivers use up lots of host cpu while firewire doesn't.