Choosing the Right Gear: Audio Interfaces
An Audio Interface is one of the most essential pieces of gear that’s used for loops. You can run straight out of your laptop for audio, but if your really serious about audio quality and want the most options in the long run with using loops then an Audio Interface is the way to go. Here are a few things to think about when your looking to purchase an Audio Interface.
1) Portability
What type of environment are you in? Are you in a mobile environment where you are setting up and tearing down frequently? If your moving alot you may want to consider a smaller bus powered interface that you can very easily pack up in your laptop. If your going from stage to your studio or office frequently you may want to consider something bus-powered and something smaller in size. Even though a rack mounted interface may give you more channels and give you the ability to put in a rack, do you really need that? If you are in a mobile environment and your planning on moving your interface frequently are you okay with having to haul a rack around at all times? If so go for it, if not then take the route I took and ditch the rack and go small bus-powered!
2) Inputs/Outputs
What will the primary purpose of the interface be? Will you be using it to run loops out of your laptop and record demos? Do you want something that you can track drums with? How many instruments will you be recording simultaneously? These are important questions to ask yourself before you get an interface. You don’t want an interface that only gives you 2 inputs if your going to be tracking drums. If your only going to be using an interface for loops you’ll probably want something that gives you at least 4 outs. If your going to be using a lot of separate loop tracks you may want something that gives you more options. Most people can get by with 2-4 inputs and 4-6 outputs. Thats enough to track acoustic and vocal at the same time and still use on stage for loop playback.
3) Compatibility
The big compatibility issue comes down to one thing. Will you be using Pro-Tools? If so then you’ll have to use an M-Audio or an M-box. Theres also the Mackie Onyx series mixers but you have to pay $50 to “unlock” the ability. If your using Logic or Live etc.. you’ll be able to get by just fine with almost any interface available. If your going to be going from one DAW to another or there is the possibility that you may switch DAW’s someday then make sure the interface you choose works with multiple DAW’s.
When your buying any piece of gear make sure to Research, and then Research some more and ask every person you know what they use and what they suggest. There is no one “perfect” setup, it’s all dependent on your setup and budget. Here are afew articles we found online that you may enjoy and find useful as well.
Sweetwater Audio Interface Buying Guide
Choosing a Recording Interface
These are only a few of the features that we thought were important enough to highlight in an article. What criteria have you used (or currently using) to buy an interface? Let us know and we will add it to this post.
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This has definitely been an interesting topic as I’m getting more and more into creating a running loops in worship services. Right now I’m running a stereo 1/8″ out of my macbook and splitting the signal into two mono 1/4″ plugs to run through a direct box. (click and vocal cues right, mono loop left) This works but I would really love to run a stereo loop because of the large soundstage possible as well as the possibility of bypassing the less than satisfactory sound card of the macbook.
When it comes to interfaces I’m unfortunately limited to a usb interface because my macbook does not have firewire. There aren’t many usb options that feature 4 individual outputs though. The one that I have found is the Tascam 1641 usb interface. It’s basically a firepod equivalent and for only $300. Have you or anyone reading this heard about this interface before? It sounds like a good deal but I don’t know how dependable it would be.
In the past 3 years, I’ve used a bunch of different interfaces to run loops and such. The coolest thing I’ve found so far is the M-Audio 410. It’s portable, bus powered and gives plenty of outputs for loops and click. The nice thing about M-Audio stuff is that it’s compatible with everything (including ProTools w/ M-Powered software).
My ideal loop setup:
MacBook running Ableton Live
M-Audio 410
M-Audio Trigger Finger