Any good USB/FW Audio interface I can get locally?

[Zerox Millienium]

Recommend me a good audio interface.

Latency must be good. (want to use it for keyboarding, in the near future)

I need digital output. (minimum requirement I'd say 16-bit 44Khz)

USB is preferred.

Firewire is fine, except I needed to post another question on where to get locally, a PCI/PCIe addon card that is constructed using Texas Instrument chipset for FW400 or FW800 to be compatible with most audio interfaces. My onboard firewire is using VIA chipset. It's guarantee to fail I think.

My onboard audio is Realtek ALC889 using latest drivers and ASIO4ALL 2.10 it's still bad, at least indicated from FL Studio and plenty of clicks and pops from the audio output, no matter the buffer settings.

So far I was recommended Focusrite Saffire 6 USB by Sinamex but I'm a little unsure, since it's usin USB 1.1 and there's not digital output. It's really a great interface, keeping it in view.

The M-Audio Fast Track Pro which Sinamex also carries. I was told it wasn't as great as the Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, particularly the mic-ins. But has a digital output and uses USB 2.0.

e-MU 0404 USB seems old and not sure where I can get it, Creative shop?

Looking around on the Internet, it looks like I have better choices with Firewire audio interfaces, but I don't have a good firewire interface on my PC which makes it darn hard for me. I'm pretty worries that VIA chipset based firewire will not work properly with certain audio interfaces.

Regards.

 

[blueprintstudios]

http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_400.php

if the firewire texas mexas thingamajing doesn't work well, then you can easily go down simlim to grab one

by "keyboarding" do you mean midi

 

[Zerox Millienium]

Yes, that's right.

 

[kongwee]

There is a USB version for RME. Cheer has one of these baby, I think.

 

[Zerox Millienium]

Where's Cheer?


The RME Fireface UC looks good, but I think it's too much to pay for for an amateur hobbyist/enthusiast.

Regards.

 

[kongwee]

Depending on you see it, I enjoy high quality sound even not working.

 

[blueprintstudios]

0 mill : sorry I assumed you were being attended and taken care of. the other better affordability and quality ratio is echo audio audiofire. and 2nd to none ranking aftersales service by swizer.

 

[Zerox Millienium]

0 mill : sorry I assumed you were being attended and taken care of. the other better affordability and quality ratio is echo audio audiofire. and 2nd to none ranking aftersales service by swizer.

You're too kind.

I have bought Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 despite the firewire woes. I have bought several PCI add-on cards for my PC and I managed to get it work fine.

Thanks for replying.

 

[blueprintstudios]

that's cool, I've missed out reading your thread by accident since the last reply.
glad to hear everything is smooth sailing on your end, do share with us your home recordings if there's any!

 

[nusstu]

Hey there,

I just stumbled on your post. I'm new to this audio interface thingy.
But am looking for the midi input as well to hook up my yamaha midi keyboard as well as my electric, acoustic guitars and mics.
Does the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 support these inputs (XLR mics optional). Thanks.

 

[kongwee]

But am looking for the midi input as well to hook up my yamaha midi keyboard as well as my electric, acoustic guitars and mics.
Does the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 support these inputs (XLR mics optional). Thanks.

Two mic input, 2 balance input, 4 balance output, 1 set Midi I/O, spfid i/o RCA type. I read somewhere Pro 14 is using the same converter chip that found in Apogee Duet.

 

[blueprintstudios]

nusstu :
http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/saffire_pro_14

ans to your question : yes.

gd luck