My Top 10 Computer Audio Interfaces

A few years ago when Avid decided to consolidate their product line and retire the Digidesign brand many were skeptical of what this would mean. But if there's one product that has evaporated all doubts is the new Mbox line.

These interfaces feature most of the same digital components as the Apogee Ensemble, but the signal path has a more efficient design and the mic pres are superior to any other interface around their price. I've witnessed many blind tests against competing choices and almost always the participants end up choosing the sound of the new Mbox. I dare you to go try it and not be impressed.

And now the Mbox is also sold separately without Pro Tools, we no longer have to think about it as a key to this DAW. This is probably the best mid priced audio interface ever made so far, period.

For more info -->Avid Mbox Pro 3 (3rd gen)

This is the best audio interface Avid was offering before the new Mbox in my opinion. And even though the new Mbox can be considered superior this is still my preferred choice at home. When the new Mbox came out one of the first things I did was A/B its output against this one, and other than the midrange coming out a little more aggressive in the Profire they were very close.

But the Profire offers a ton of features for a lower price. Enough outputs for a 7.1 setup, sampling rates all the way up to 192 khz, very good mic pres and a comprehensive routing software. And I would venture to say that unless Avid has gotten their game together, judging by the new I/O in PT9 I'm not so sure, these interfaces are more robust. Even though M Audio belongs to Avid notice that its name has not disappeared compared to Digidesign, and that it's not by chance.

For more info -->M-Audio ProFire 610

One of the most successful audio interfaces ever made was the first Mbox, and one of the main reasons was their Focusrite mic pres. In fact, one of the most asked questions today about the new Mbox is: Who made the pres? most wanting to hear Focusrite as the answer.

But now that Pro Tools 9 is open to most audio interfaces Focusrite has come out very strong in their marketing reminding customers of this connection. The new Saffire interfaces, Pro Tools 9 ready as they call them, have an impressive sound, a total of 16 inputs and very good mic pres of course. But probably the icing on the cake is the host of included plug ins. An assortment of EQ, compression and reverb latency free for tracking. Plus their very good VRM algorithm that emulates the monitoring rooms of professional studios in headphones. This interface truly gives the rest a run for their money.

For more info -->Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP

A lot of friends have asked me for an inexpensive and easy way to get started making beats. There's an internet only package called 'Sonic Producer' which is arguably one of the best.

This program for a mere $30.00 gives:

-A full music production software
-Samples and instrumentals
-Video tutorials for major DAW's
-PC & Mac compatibility

Start with 'Sonic Producer' and gain experience by going through the tutorials. By the time you decide which big music production software you like you'll be a lot more prepared to justify that kind of commitment.

The UltraLite Mk3 is a very attractive interface, you could not not expect more features for its price and size: 10 inputs, 14 outputs, digital I/O, USB or Firewire connection, built in effects, a software version of the famous LA-2A compressor, a digital mixer, sample rates up to 192 khz...it goes on and on!

And if that wasn't enough it's one of the only interfaces in this size that features a time code reader and generator, something that even though it's not that popular among musicians it could very helpful for those recording sound for picture. Why is this interface not more popular? It could come down to the company itself for not creating enough trust.

Once that I was assisting in a video shoot and had a problem with one, I called the 1-800 line and got disappointed to not get a proper technical department. However, I left a message and in a couple of hours a field tech from my area called me personally to help me out. I highly recommend to check this interface out.

For more info -->MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid Audio Interface

I might seem a little biased to place 5th an audio interface that many consider the best at its price. But as good as this interface is it would not be my first choice. If your are a Logic user only it makes perfect sense, but if you use other DAW's you might want to think about it more.

Sound wise there's no denying that the Duet has set a standard ever since it came out. And now in the 2nd version it has a new design and new components. But I still find the high end a little 'sugary' to my taste. It's a great compliment to the many synth and keyboard presets in Logic, but for distorted guitars where definition in the midrange is the name of the game it doesn't do it for me. And vocals don't seem to get much character, the cable for the analog connections is flimsy and as cute as it might look I'd like to see more than one knob.

Beat makers, acoustic guitar players and songwriters in Logic have a valid reason to fall in love with the Duet, but for the rest of us the field is just way too exiting right now to fall for marketing gimmicks.

For more info -->Apogee Duet 2

-->Top 10 Audio Interfaces #6 to #10

"DUBturbo - Marked As The Most Controversial BeatMaker On The Market" ('Cause It Does 10 x As Much While Costing 10 x Less Than Other Software. Made For All Levels)"

Watch this video and check how easy is to learn how to make beats with DUB-Turbo,

-->Click Here!