Best interface to build your singer/songwriter workflow around

[Snarl 12/8]

Hi,

My daughter is just getting started in the world of recording. Even though it is not my cup of tea, I really think she should base her setup around an interface rather than a mixer. I've moved to recording on an Alesis HD24/A&H mixer, so I'm not really up on all the interface/DAW/plugin knowledge. I want to help her buy something really nice that will never limit her. She's going to want to record dry, but with plugins on her voice and maybe keyboard during her takes. Is Universal Audio the way to go for that functionality? I know she will need at least 3 channels, 2 for her keyboard and 1 mic pre. Her keyboard has digital outs via regular USB, is there an interface that can combine that with an analog mic input? I feel like the analog outs on her keyboard are kindof weak. She can always get a mixer to feed the interface later if she feels limited by her options going in.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ck

[Nick Sevilla]

I'd recommend a Focusrite interface. Solid drivers, great sound, good converters. They have different ones so go check them out on their website.

[Snarl 12/8]

You've never steered me wrong.

[digitaldrummer]

I think the only challenge you might have with this setup is the USB keyboard. I don't know of any interface that will allow you to plugin in directly to the interface -- but normally you can plug it directly into the computer and most DAW software will then recognize it as a MIDI device (which means you still need a plugin to get sound). That also means that a 2 channel interface should work for her. Focusrite, UA, Presonus, etc. Most any modern interface that is > $150 will probably be great (some of the real low end devices can be really noisy)

a bigger decision might be what software does she know, want to learn, want to buy, etc. I think a lot of folks start with Garage band and move Logic eventually, but that means you need a Mac. There is Pro Tools "free" (aka "Intro") version still I think but it requires connection to the internet so it can login and authenticate the license/registration (iLok cloud). Works on Mac or PC and well, PT is in just about every pro studio (if she's going that direction)

Mike

[Nick Sevilla]

You've never steered me wrong.

Thanks! That's because I threw out the steering wheel years ago

[numberthirty]

I've been using the Tascam Series 208i interface.

Seems like it would cover a good bit of what you've mentioned, and it has worked out pretty well for me thus far.

https://tascam.com/us/product/series_208i/top

[Snarl 12/8]

Am I right that if my daughter and I each had a DANTE equipped interface in our studios (same house, different floors) it would facilitate us tracking together from our own little setups?

[The Scum]

You might need a heavier-duty ethernet switch in between than the average house has, but yes, Dante can talk to Dante.

(Audinate pulblish plenty of material regarding Dante's network requirements)

[Snarl 12/8]

You might need a heavier-duty ethernet switch in between than the average house has, but yes, Dante can talk to Dante.

(Audinate pulblish plenty of material regarding Dante's network requirements)

In my mind I was going to run a dedicated ethernet cable between the two devices. I just came back to delete my dante question though after looking at the prices. I think a 4 channel balanced snake will connect us just fine.

[alexdingley]

The focusrite units are DEFINITELY solid... the drivers are great & the sound is totally good.

That said, I cannot say enough good things about the UAD apollo twin | x that I'm using now. I was forced to temporarily downsize from my much bigger home rig and now I'm using the apollo, and it sounds great / the DI input is super-handy and the front-panel controls/buttons are really thoughtful & intuitive. Also, using the UAD plug-ins on the way in is frickin' coo.

[digitaldrummer]

Also, using the UAD plug-ins on the way in is frickin' coo.

I agree it is very cool, and I know this is slightly OT, but I never see anyone else talking about the potential problem with that - which is that if you are not careful it's easy to overdrive your converters. You can easily make the signal super hot and then dial it back with a compressor/limiter or any other plugin that has a level control. But if you do that it may be too late if your converter is in the red and distorting at that point (because the plugin is AFTER conversion). And maybe it's more likely on a system like mine (Apollo 16 with outboard pres) vs. an Apollo or twin with the built-in pres, but I'm 99.999% sure the same thing can still happen. anyway, just something to watch for.

[vvv]

OT, but I didn't start it, but am I weird that I don't like to record plug-ins, only mix with 'em?

And yet, I do record through FX ...

OK, Snarl ol' buddy, I'm-a reco something left turn:

I'd say get a 4 or 8 track stand alone recorder.

Some have USB in, onboard synths playable by a controller, not sure re MIDI as I never ...

[Scodiddly]

OT, but I didn't start it, but am I weird that I don't like to record plug-ins, only mix with 'em?

And yet, I do record through FX ...

OK, Snarl ol' buddy, I'm-a reco something left turn:

I'd say get a 4 or 8 track stand alone recorder.

Some have USB in, onboard synths playable by a controller, not sure re MIDI as I never ...

Different modes of thinking and moving - playing an instrument you don't want to shift gears and grab a mouse. Oddly enough the same thing going the other way, if you're nudging things around with a mouse then you don't want to change scale and deal with the huge physical world all of a sudden.

I dunno about stand alone recorders, but there are a bunch of little mixers with built-in interfaces. Much easier to fiddle with a zero-latency monitor situation. I can't stand interfaces with a bunch of functionality that requires an app or tiny squint-n-poke menu screens.

[vvv]

FWIW, some of the stand alones are also interfaces, e.g., Zoom.