USB Interface Recommendations
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:31 pm
As some of you know, I'm new to home recording and am still in the process of setting up my gear/processes. I've had to bypass my mixers USB section because it's only USB 1 and only supports 16 bit recording. I moved on to using the onboard Realtek sound chip (ALC888S-VD) but am not too happy with the generic ASIO4ALL driver/Realtek combination. So I'm looking to upgrade/cross-grade to a dedicated USB interface that supports hi quality 24 bit low latency recording and playback. I see someone locally is selling a "Digidesign Mbox 3rd Gen. USB Audio Interface" (standard, not mini or pro AFAIK). I'm looking for members who know of or have experience with this unit and also a comparable Scarlett product, would that be the 6i6 more or less? Or any Scarlett product in the ballpark as they seem to be plentiful due to their popularity. I haven't confirmed it, bit I've heard the Mbox 3 uses the Cirrus Logic CS 4272 chip, but don't know what the Scarlett line is using.
As far as specifics go, I'd like to know how they both work with Mixcraft. How do their preamps compare for noise and clean output levels? My current setup seems to need a lot of gain to get a decent level.
Can the Mbox 3's onboard DSP be utilized in Mixcraft?
How do the drivers/software compare for stability, usability and ease of use? I notice Avid's last update is 2014, Focusrite's is 2018. Also it seems only the Scarlett's from 6i6 and up use the Focusrite Control Software. Is this a big deal?
What kind of latency are you getting? Do these only work through ASIO or through their own proprietary driver technology? IOW, what do you select in Mixcraft audio settings?
What else do I need to know? Any help to fill in the blanks would be appreciated.
As far as specifics go, I'd like to know how they both work with Mixcraft. How do their preamps compare for noise and clean output levels? My current setup seems to need a lot of gain to get a decent level.
Can the Mbox 3's onboard DSP be utilized in Mixcraft?
How do the drivers/software compare for stability, usability and ease of use? I notice Avid's last update is 2014, Focusrite's is 2018. Also it seems only the Scarlett's from 6i6 and up use the Focusrite Control Software. Is this a big deal?
What kind of latency are you getting? Do these only work through ASIO or through their own proprietary driver technology? IOW, what do you select in Mixcraft audio settings?
What else do I need to know? Any help to fill in the blanks would be appreciated.