USB audio interface recommendation

[compupertortoise]

I have AT2035 paired with Focusrite Scarlett solo 2nd gen, the audio interface has started to act up. Sometimes it just turns off or sometimes the microphone starts making weird noices. I've reinstalled everything and tried different ports etc. so it's RIP.

 

What audio interface would you recommend? Maybe 3rd gen of the same Focusrite? Or should I go for a different brand?

 

My budged is about 150€ (180 USD).

 

 

[GoldenSound]

Would strongly recommend the Motu M2.
https://motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m2/
I moved from a scarlett to a few other interfaces (due to focusrite's consistent buffer issues) and the motu M2 has been absolutely stellar.
From an objective standpoint it also measures exceptionally for the price: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/motu-m2-review-audio-interface.19911/

[compupertortoise]

2 hours ago, Grumpy Old Man said:

TC Helicon Go XLR MINI

 

 

 

1 hour ago, GoldenOne said:

Would strongly recommend the Motu M2.
https://motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m2/
I moved from a scarlett to a few other interfaces (due to focusrite's consistent buffer issues) and the motu M2 has been absolutely stellar.
From an objective standpoint it also measures exceptionally for the price: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/motu-m2-review-audio-interface.19911/

 

 

Thank you for the recommendations 

[The Flying Sloth]

The UMC202HD is the best value for money interface on the market currently, 
The Motu is good if a little overpriced and the GoXLR is a poor interface with poor software thrown in to make it appealing to streamers.

The link ion my signature has more information.

[thewill102]

I can strongly recommend the Audient iD4 Mk2. It is powered over USB, so no extrnal PSU needed. It can power, when connected via USB-C up to 600 Ohm Headphones. My DT770Pro 250 Ohm work perfectly fine. 

You have a Guitar/Instrument input, a Microphone input with XLR/6.3mm Jack combo, headphone out with 6,3 AND 3,5mm jack, and 6,3mm speaker jacks. 

 

It has a bunch of features like individual gain control and control over input audio/PC-Audio balance.

 

It works like a charm and i love it!

 

iD4 - 2in / 2out Audio Interface - Your recordings made better (audient.com)

 

 

[Samuel Esq.]

the Rode AI-1 has REALLY quiet pre amps (more of a concern for dynamic microphones though) and is only around $130, but it isn't as good of a value as the behringer one that FlyingSloth recommended. On the upside, behringer as a company is kind of questionable whereas Rode is an australian company that does all manufacturing in house. 

 

Personally I would get the rode over the behringer but it only has one XLR input which, if you need two, is a pretty serious issue.

[The Flying Sloth]

On 5/19/2021 at 1:38 AM, Samuel Esq. said:

the Rode AI-1 has REALLY quiet pre amps (more of a concern for dynamic microphones though) and is only around $130, but it isn't as good of a value as the behringer one that FlyingSloth recommended. On the upside, behringer as a company is kind of questionable whereas Rode is an australian company that does all manufacturing in house. 

 

Personally I would get the rode over the behringer but it only has one XLR input which, if you need two, is a pretty serious issue.

I'm Australian myself and while Rode certainly make some good products they're often overhyped and it's still cheaper for me to import Behringer gear from Germany than it is to get the Rode item with similar/less functionality. The 202HD has better preamps than the Rode and it has two of them as well as dedicated headphone/main output gain to make it much more functional in a studio/recording setting.

I agree that Behringer has had some issues in the past but they've come a long way and so far as value for money goes they're currently unbeatable in the interface game below 16 channels, I personally use a 16CH interface from them and the only way to upgrade from there is to make the massive jump to hardware from the likes of RME or the high end MOTU kit.

[Samuel Esq.]

1 hour ago, The Flying Sloth said:

I'm Australian myself and while Rode certainly make some good products they're often overhyped and it's still cheaper for me to import Behringer gear from Germany than it is to get the Rode item with similar/less functionality. The 202HD has better preamps than the Rode and it has two of them as well as dedicated headphone/main output gain to make it much more functional in a studio/recording setting.

I agree that Behringer has had some issues in the past but they've come a long way and so far as value for money goes they're currently unbeatable in the interface game below 16 channels, I personally use a 16CH interface from them and the only way to upgrade from there is to make the massive jump to hardware from the likes of RME or the high end MOTU kit.

I kind of doubt they need 2 microphone inputs but yeah the 202HD has considerably better value proposition. for my personal use case I would get the rode due to its smaller footprint since my desk space is limited but that's a niche use case and the Behringer is absolutely the better option for most if not all people.

 

You've probably seen it already but Benn Jordan has a a really good video on Behringer that's only about 6 months old and I personally doubt they have changed much since that video was put out, but not everyone has as much of an issue supporting companies on moral grounds as I do.