The Arturia AudioFuse 8Pre also allows you to stack two 8Pre interfaces for 16 inputs since the eight channels are ADAT compatible and there is an ADAT output on the interface. Lynx has been a highly respected audio interface company for a long time. Most MIDI equipment and synths can backup data through a bulk dump called System Exclusive (SysEx). We've listed a few features you might want to look into to narrow down the options. The ultimate best audio interface in 2021. The audio interface does not add any noise, coloration, or anything that would negatively impact your audio. High quality 1/4" 2 track decks are the best option for tape saturation/compression. However, if you are truly on a budget, then this is your interface. Here are the best audio interfaces 2021: Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII; Focusrite Scarlett 2i2; Arturia AudioFuse 8Pre; M-Audio M-Track 2X2; TASCAM US-2×2; Behringer U-Control UCA222; Steinberg UR22C; Apogee Element 46; Roland Rubix24; Mackie Onyx Producer 2-2; 1. When it comes to MIDI connectivity, the MOTU MIDI Express 128 is a monster. It’s 98% line level here, mostly synths and and samplers with 1 mic that I use to record an amp. We’re starting with the humble Roland UM-ONE MK2. A feature that we see here in the UR22C that no other interfaces on this list have is MIDI inputs and outputs. Home Studio Upgrade digital Mixer or Audio Interface; can I connect 16 analog input and 16 network inputs from a stage box to a studio live 32sc; Is it possible to link multiple 2626 units together to have 16 (or 24) analog mic inputs? The Element 46 by Apogee is a great option if you need to record a lot of channels at the same time. Consordini is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program. For an iPad, you can download Cubasis LE. But if you want to keep the costs down you can midi daisy chain your synths and use a patchbay for the audio. Re: What is the best audio interface for Moog analog synths? The Rubix24 is a USB audio interface, so it is compatible with Mac and Windows, and even iOS devices. I’ve put together a list of what I think are some of the best audio interfaces on the market in 2021. For the jam-packed features that come with this interface, we think it’s worth every penny! The AudioFuse 8Pre is a compact audio interface with 8 channels. If you already have an audio interface with MIDI connections and it's working great with all your gear, over time, you might want to think about expanding your studio and getting more gear. The best audio interfaces: our top picks for beginners and pros; The best guitar audio interfaces for recording your axe at home; For musicians taking their first steps in recording and production, an audio interface is likely to be one of their first purchases, at a point when affordability is likely to be a … You also get Mackie’s DAW Essentials Collection, which is a plugin bundle with professional EQs, compressors, reverb, delay, limiters, filters, and more. Instead, it transmits data that is formed into binary codes (1's and zeros). MIDI is excellent in the sense that it organizes everything in your DAW software. To help you with this, we’ve compiled some of the best synth VST’s out there so that you can start your very own collection. You also get a copy of Cubase which is one of the most popular DAWs on the market. Ideal for singer-songwriters and content creators, the Mackie Onyx Producer 2-2 is an audio interface that will not let you down in terms of quality or price. MIDI has a lot of signals including the velocity of a note turning on/off, modulation wheels, pitch wheels, and many more. If you are looking for some pother kind of functionality, that;s going to vary, as there is no real standard for that kind of thing. It ultimately comes down to how many ports and features you’re looking for. Instead, it transmits data that is formed into binary codes (1's and zeros). Yes, we said communicate - and thanks to MIDI, that's a reality. I'm not sure if there really is a best way, it's up to you. You can record live audio through a mixer, microphone, or digitize recordings from other sources As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy an AudioFuse 8Pre, it includes Arturia’s Creative Suite software pack, which offers 3 vintage preamp plugins for beefy drums and sparkling guitars. 2 inputs and 4 outputs is more than enough for most home studio recording setups, and with the compact size of it, the Rubix24 will fit nicely in your home studio or bedroom studio. The interface is made with metal, and has plenty of shielding and extensive ground lifts to protect from electromagnetic field interferences and other feedback. Some of the outputs are XLR style, so if that is something you are in need of, you get it with this awesome audio interface. The Yamaha Montage 6 makes our best synths blog with ease. The UR22C has a couple different connection options, you can choose between USB 3.0 or USB-C, so you can record on a PC or Mac as well as any iOS device. When engaged, the Air button gives your voice or instruments a bit more air, a sonic quality that adds more brightness and openness. It is suitable for beginners or intermediate producers, but could also be used in some smaller scale advanced productions quite nicely. If you want a great audio interface but you have a limited budget, you can’t go wrong with the Audient iD4, a 2-in/2-out USB device that looks, sounds and feels great. With the choice of traditional MIDI 5-pin adapter or USB to host, you can connect your IOS device (iPad,iPod Touch, iPhone) wirelessly while simultaneously charging your device. The M-Track 2×2 is reasonably priced and is a good mid to high end quality interface. When you hit a wrong note, or it was held too long, the audio interface typically records it. There is a gain knob for each channel, signal volume indicator lights, and an impedance switch for when you want to record guitars and other instruments directly. Powered through the USB port, this interface is great if you’re looking for one with a lot of mobility. Your email address will not be published. Top 5 affordable VST synths: Addiction Synth by Stagecraft – €66.50; Audiaire – Retro Synths … The Apollo’s Twin also has a built in microphone for you to use in the studio if you have to talk to someone in the recording booth without having to grab a microphone. 7. As the least expensive audio interface on this list, I can say without a doubt it is the best value in terms of the features you get. I have 5 hardware synths. The U-Control UCA222 is a compact and easy to use interface that is extremely portable. Like the DUO, it also has full MIDI capability and comes with Sonar X1 LE. The UR22C was designed to be compatible with any setup, and with its transparent dual mic and line inputs and phantom power, it will fit right in with your rig. I'm not sure if there really is a best way, it's up to you. Now when you go to the MIDI settings, you enable your keyboard to give commands in the DAW. If you want a top of the line, extremely high-quality audio interface and have the money to spend on it, get an Apollo Twin. Instead, a USB audio interface simply acts as device that routes your audio signals to the channels of your DAW’s mixer (where you can do all the controlling via clicks). With this DAW, you can transfer MIDI information to and from your computer or different instruments depending on how you have got things routed. The US-2×2 from TASCAM is a nice audio interface for Windows, Mac, or Linux. Audio interfaces, however, come up on your screen in the traditional soundwave format. Please note: our picks for the year’s best audio interfaces are listed by category and not in any sort of ranking. Once it's been transmitted into sound waves, it can be hard to change it, and you usually have to go back and record it again. You might not know which MIDI interfaces are compatible with your computer, how many ports you might need, and whether any of these new ‘state-of-the-art features’ even matter. As with MIDI thru boxes, MIDI interfaces come with varying numbers of ports based on your needs and how much you're willing to spend. USB MIDI interfaces have been flocking the market in recent years due to the ability to link it up to your laptop/desktop. The Scarlett 2i2 also allows for phantom power for your microphones that need it to operate. There is also a desktop hardware remote control if you do not want to use the Mac software. Pros. Expanding my setup with 3 synths at once I'm a bit confused on how to connect them the best way. The Scarlett 2i2 is a 2-channel USB-C audio interface (2 inputs and 2 outputs) with two upgraded Scarlett preamps, extremely low latency, and instrument inputs that can handle everything from guitars to drums and everything in between. I have used a Scarlett 2i4 for years and it is never disappointed me. If you also like the ability to remotely control the interface, check the Element 46 out. MOTU Microlite promises seamless synchronization. HINT: You can link up one MIDI interface to another, expanding the number of ports and channels. Imagine all your music-making devices could communicate perfectly with each other? This means that you can connect two Element interfaces directly to Thunderbolt ports on your computer and use them both at the same time. OK we need some clarity about what "audio over USB" is supposed to mean I suppose. Bottom Line: It’s hard for us not to love the MOTU MIDI Express 128 with its generous MIDI ports and options for increased expandability. The interface also has main outputs for use with studio monitors. There is also a talkback microphone and clear metering lights. The Apogee Element 46 is an audio interface great for collaborating and recording in a studio, at home, or out and about. Focusrite unveils new USB-C audio interfaces for Mac ahead of NAMM 2018 Samson hits NAMM 2018 w/ new studio speakers under $120, mics and more BeatMaker 3 … With multi-host connectivity, you can connect up to 3 computer devices directly or via Ethernet hub/ wireless router (mac and windows). Announced at NAMM 2019, this audio interface fits 8 channels of premium analog audio into a “simple, intuitive” interface.… Read More Arturia AudioFuse 8 Pre Interface Now Available. Re: What is the best audio interface for Moog analog synths? I have a Korg Kronos, a Yamaha Motif, a Roland Jupiter 80, and a Roland JD–XA. They are very low noise, low distortion, and transparent, which gives you plenty of headroom to accommodate your microphones no matter the source. The TASCAM US-2X2 is sure to have zero latency monitoring through the included headphone output with volume level. Unfortunately, it only runs on Windows 10, so any operating system below won’t get the benefit of Bluetooth MIDI. Bottom line: We love the LED that displays all MIDI activity. To connect the audio interface to your computer (Mac or PC), you have the option of using a USB 2.0 connection or a USB-C connection. The Apollo Twin MkII has everything on board. If that isn’t enough room, MOTU will enable you to link up another MOTU MIDI interface for more expandability. One is the traditional AC power cable that limits mobility. The oscillators can generate sine, saw, tri, and square waves, but it can also go into Tone Mode which allows you to add some harmonics through the Width and Shape controls. There is no need for digital routing or latency makeup due to the signal path being true analog directly from the preamps to the monitoring chain no matter what buffer settings you are using. The Rubix24 has 2 inputs and 4 outputs and sounds clear and detailed with extremely low self noise and lots of headroom for recording. Bottom line: We thought the freedom in the wireless feature was a great option. Advice Needed For MIDI Connections; Connecting Multiple Synths To Audio Interface. Before we get into the guide, here's a list of our recommend products. You also get a Lite version of Arturia’s Analog Lab software which offers a collection of popular synth sounds. The MOTU multi‑port MIDI interface will enable you to handle up to eight multitimbral synths at once without running out of MIDI channels, so that seems a practical choice. Since MIDI comes up as information on how it was played, there is a lot more to play around with. A Hi-Z switch is available for each channel for direct inputting your guitar and bass for recording, as well as other devices that use direct input, like synthesizers. The M-Track is part of M-Audio’s C-Series interface series which include the extremely high-quality professional ‘Crystal’ Preamps. The unit has extremely low latency for both Mac and PC, so you can rest assured knowing that there will not be any hiccups in the audio when recording or performing. You can also either power the interface through USB 3.0 or a 5-volt DC. In the video above, Justin uses a four-channel Mackie 402VLZ4 to augment the two channels available in his interface—but any size mixer could work. Then all the audio from the DAW is passing through the audio interface. You will never regret it, and since you are getting a lot of extra features like the Unison technology and plugin bundle, it adds to the value even more. I suggest it for beginners who like to travel and record, as well as those who have a soundboard or mixing console and need a good cheap audio interface. MIDI (Music Instrument Digital Interface) sends signals to other controllers such as synths and keyboard controllers to operate digitally on computers. Steinberg is a well-known brand that caters to professional musicians around the world. Focusrite is a really great company that has a lot of best-selling options when it comes to audio interfaces, from more expensive ones to more affordable ones. As for the preamps themselves, they can be described as sounding vibrant. Novation is best known for its MIDI controllers, keyboards and synths, so it’s only natural that their standalone audio interface plays well with others in the product line. The multi-host connectivity tops the list for our connectivity scoreboard with not only 4x4 MIDI ports but also USB, Ethernet, and wireless router connection options. Roland QUAD-CAPTURE USB Audio Interface. So for example, you have two 8x8 devices with the ports hooked up, you get a whopping 1,024 MIDI channels. Projects started on Cubasis LE can be opened up and finished on your computer with ease. (This tells the computer what note to play), The velocity of the press? 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