Tag: Sound cards

One of the Firewire audio interfaces of Focusrite company is a Saffire Pro 14 – device with 8 inputs, 6 outputs, support of 96 kHz and 24 bits work mode and 2 Focusrite preamplifiers. On its frontal panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear/instrumental Hi-Z inputs; 2 their gain control knobs with signal and clip indicators; phantom power +48 V switch for both inputs with indicators of its activity and instrumental mode of both inputs; main outputs volume control knob; power, Firewire connection and device locking indicators; as well as TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output. On back panel of device there are : coaxial digital SPDIF input and output; power adapter input; MIDI input and output; Firewire port for connection to computer and powering ( audio interface can work in mobile mode without power adapter ); 4 analogue linear TRS 1/4″ jack outputs; and 2 the same type inputs.

Part of parameters of work of Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 are controlled through Saffire MixControl Application; connectors of device have following parameters : microphone inputs ( THD+N 0.001 %, noise level -124 dB amd impedance 2 kOhms ); linear inputs ( THD+N 0.001 %, noise level -90 dB and impedance more than 10 kOhms ); instrumental inputs ( THD+N 0.004 % and noise level -87 dB ); analogue outputs ( THD+N 0.001 % ); channels isolation is a 100 dB. Dynamic range of analogue to digital conversions is a 109 dB, digital to analogue 106 dB. Audio interface works in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly, via which it works with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. With it following software is supplied : Focusrite VST/RTAS/AU ( compressor, reverberation, Gating and equalizer ), DAW Ableton Live Lite 8, AU and VST versions of synthesizer Novation Bass Station and around 1 GB of free samples Loopmasters and Mike the Drummer. Device’s sizes are 215 ( width ) x 45 ( height ) x 220 ( depth ) mm and mass is 1.5 kg.

Package contains : Firewire audio interface Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 itself, power adapter, FireWire cable, disks with drivers and software, rubber pads for device, warranty card and user’s guide. Interface has high characteristics, wide connectors range and convenient controls, there is also need to note, that among USB audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite itself, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production there are similar and even more functional devices.

Company M-Audio presented new USB audio interfaces M-Track 2×2 with convenient controls on body and support of 192 kHz and 24 bits. On its frontal panel there are TRS 1/4″ jack instrumental Hi-Z input, phantom power +48 V switch button for microphone input and TRS 1/4″ jack output for monitor headphones. On top panel there are : gain control knobs for both inputs, with levels and clips indicators; main outputs volume control knob; source signal switch Direct Monitor/USB; volume control for monitor headphones; switch on button with power and phantom power indicators. On back panel of device there are : Kensington Lock slot, USB port for connection to computer and powering, 2 main ( left and right ) TRS 1/4″ jack outputs of card and combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack balanced microphone/linear input.

Device M-Audio M-Track 2×2 can work in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.8 and newer with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly, via which it tightly integrates with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. With it following software is supplied : AIR Creative FX Collection ( 20 AU/VST effects ), AIR Strike, AIR Xpand!2, AIR Mini Grand and DAW Steinberg Cubase LE.

Together with M-Audio M-Track 2×2 package contains : USB and USB-C cables, disks with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface is quite good, has 192 kHz sampling rate and 24 bits per sample precision and convenient controls, it is designed mainly for independent musicians and little studios. Because this device is new and, taking into account M-Audio‘s pricing policy, there is ability to anticipate high price for device, so there is ability to look on also on studio USB audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio itself and other manufacturers production.

One of the most advanced USB audio interfaces of Behringer company is a U-PHORIA UMC1820 – device with 18 inputs, 20 outputs, 8 MIDAS preamplifiers and support of 96 kHz and 24 bits work mode. On its frontal panel following are placed : 2 microphone/linear/instrumental Hi-Z combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs; phantom power +48 V switch buttons for inputs 1 – 4 and 5 – 8; instrumental and linear work mode switches, PAD buttons, clip indicators and gain control buttons for each of 8 inputs with preamplifiers; outputs monitoring block with channels selection button 1-2/1-8 and mono/stereo work mode switch; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack outputs for monitor headphones, with channels selectors 1-2/3-4, ADAT/SPDIF work mode switch for digital optical connectors, MIDI input and output, power and phantom power indicators; as well as switch on button. On its back panel there are : power adapter input, USB port for connection to computer; MIDI input and output; optical digital input and output, able to work in ADAT and SPDIF modes; coaxial digital RCA input and output; 10 analogue linear TRS 1/4″ jack outputs ( 1st and 2nd are main ); and another one 6 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs.

Dynamical range of Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820 is a 106 dB, it draws maximum 20 W of energy; for it drivers are released for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, in Mac OS X it works without additional drivers, with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly. Which allow it to work with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others; its sizes are 46 ( height ) x 483 ( width ) x 130 ( depth ) mm and mass is 1.8 kg; with it DAW Tracktion is supplied.

With Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820 package contains : USB cable, power adapter, 3-years warranty card and user’s guide. All in all interface is good with large amount of connectors, high characteristics and quality inputs preamplifiers, it is suitable for large studios, for small ones there is ability to buy device with the same components quality and smaller connectors amount of Steinberg, Behringer itself, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production.

Among audio interfaces of new generation there are devices, working through Thunderbolt connection, for example, Focusrite Clarett 2Pre – interface with 192 kHz, 24 bits and dynamic range up to 119 dB. Thunderbolt – is a new connection standard, developed by Intel company and giving throughput 20 Gbits/s, thereby it releases limits of USB 2.0 connection on channels amount, sampling rate and precision per sample. On frontal panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack connectors with gain control knobs with back light and instrumental Hi-Z work mode, AIR function and phantom power +48 V switches with indicators for both of them; main outputs volume control knob; power, Thunderbolt connection and device blocking indicators; and TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output with volume control. On back panel there are : power button, power adapter input, Thunderbolt input, optical digital input, MIDI input and output and 4 linear TRS 1/4″ jack analogue balanced outputs.

Inputs of Focusrite Clarett 2Pre in microphone mode have following characteristics : THD+N 0.001 % and noise level -128 dB; in linear : THD+N 0.001 % and dynamic range 118 dB; in instrumental : THD+N 0.001 % and dynamic range 116 dB. Linear outputs : THD+N 0.0007 % and dynamic range 119 dB, monitor headphones output : THD+N 0.0008 % and dynamic range 116 dB. With it following are supplied : Focusrite Control mixer, VST plugins Softube Time and Tone Bundle, TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay and Saturation Knob and AAX, AU and VST Red 2 and Red 3 plugins. Currently device works only in Mac OS X 10.9 and newer, manufacturer promises support of Windows in near time, in Apple‘s OS it works with support of Core Audio interface, via which it can interact with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. Its body is made from aluminum with beautiful scarlet color.

Package contains : Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 2Pre itself, warranty card and user’s guide; Thunderbolt cable should be bought separately. All in all interface is good, provides high dynamic range of digital to analogue and analogue to digital conversions and small THD+N level; from the other side : in 2 inputs audio interfaces class there are great USB devices ( of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite itself, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production ), which handle their tasks, work in Windows and cost less. So in entry-level audio interfaces class it is better to buy USB devices and look on Thunderbolt interfaces only in classes of middle and large devices.

One of the most functional audio interfaces of company Roland is a USB dvice STUDIO-CAPTURE : professional studio interface with support of 192 kHz and 24 bits work mode, 16 inputs, 10 outputs and 12 VS PREAMPs. On its frontal panel there are : 4 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs ( 1 and 2 are instrumental Hi-Z inputs ), state indicators of all 16 inputs of interface with control buttons; preamplifiers control block, consisting of gain control knob and buttons for control of phase, LoCut filter, Auto-SENS function and phantom power +48 V enabling for microphone inputs; compressor control block with enabling button, Threshold setting knob and activity indicator; Direct Monitor control block with enabling button and volume control; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack outputs for monitor headphones and their volume control knobs; display with device’s parameters, buttons for menu control, Direct Monitor volumes indicators and power button. On back panel there are : power adapter input, USB Type-B port for connection with computer, MIDI input and output, coaxial digital RCA input and output, 8 TRS 1/4″ jack balanced linear outputs, monitor XLR outputs ( left and right ) with volume control enabling button, ground connector, 4 TRS 1/4″ jack inputs and 8 additional combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs. All inputs of device are balanced, it is powered from power adapter.

Noise level of Roland STUDIO-CAPTURE when inputs and outputs are connected is -90 dB, dynamic range of analogue to digital conversion is 105 dB, digital to analogue : 114 dB, these are good characteristics for audio interfaces. Device draws maximum 1.6 A current, for it drivers are released for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly, which allow it to work with DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. Device’s sizes are 284 ( width ) x 162 ( depth ) x 89 ( height ) mm and mass is 1.9 kg, its body is made from aluminum.

Package contains : Roland STUDIO-CAPTURE audio interface itself, USB cable, power adapter, CD-ROM disk with drivers, 2 rack mount angles, warranty card and user’s guides. Interface is very good and functional and delivers for studio all necessary connectors and functions with high components quality; there is also ability to look on top-level devices of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland itself, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production; for small studios there is no need in such amount of connectors and there is ability to buy audio interfaces of these manufacturers with smaller amount of them for smaller price.

One of combined USB hubs and audio interfaces is a M-Audio M-Track Hub – device in small fully metal body. It has power adapter input and can supply energy to 3 USB devices simultaneously and play sound at the same time, this allows to connect to computer a couple of USB instruments and listen for the sound from DAW with 24 bits per sample precision ( manufacturer does not tell with which sampling rate ). On top it has large metal knod for main inputs volume control; on frontal panel there are TRS 1/4″ jack headphones output, their volume control and 3 USB ports. On back panel there are : Kensington Lock slot, power adapter input, USB input for connection to computer and 2 balanced main analogue TRS 1/4″ jack outputs ( left and right ).

Package contains : combined USB audio interface and hub M-Audio M-Track Hub, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. From one side : this is a convenient compact device, allowing to power 3 USB devices and connect them to computer and listen to the sound simultaneously; from the other : taking into account M-Audio‘s pricing policy, it is better to buy entry-level studio audio interface of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI or other manufacturers production and externally powered USB hub and receive much bigger functionality for the same or even smaller sum.

One of the smallest devices of ESI company is a Dr. DAC nano – USB audio interface for analogue signal output or conversion into digital optical with support of 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample work modes. On frontal panel of device there is combined 1/8″ mini jack connector for analogue or digital optical S/PDIF signals output; on back panel there is Mini USB port for connection with computer and powering. In interface there are : DAC AKM AK4421 with support of 192 kHz and 24 bits internal work mode and 103 dB dynamic range; headphones amplifier Analog Devices AD8397; and solid tantalum electrolytic capacitors. Device works in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X without additional drivers with Plug and Play, also for it drivers are released for Windows with support of ASIO 2.0 interface, via which it can work with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others.

ESI Dr. DAC nano can power headphones with 16 – 300 Ohms impedance; its sizes are 60 ( depth ) x 45 ( width ) x 17 ( height ) mm. Package contains : ESI Dr. DAC nano audio interface itself, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. For its purposes interface is very good, if it is bought only for compact high-quality audio playback or conversion into digital optical signal; but if it is bought for other purposes also, then it is better to add not big amount of money and buy entry-level studio audio interface of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI itself, M-Audio or other manufacturers production.

Company ESI recently released new USB audio interface U22XT with support of 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample precision. It has 2 inputs and 2 outputs and it is fully powered from USB connection, without need in additional power adapter. On frontal panel there are : combined microphone XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack input, gain control knob and phantom power +48 V switch for it; instrumental Hi-Z TRS 1/4″ jack input and gain control knob; inputs for use selector microphone/instrumental/both, clip indicators and mix control knob; main outputs volume control knob, power indicator and TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output with volume control. On back panel there are : 2 RCA outputs ( left and right ), inputs selector frontal/back panel; TRS 1/4″ jack balanced left and right linear outputs; Kensington Lock port and USB 2.0 connector for communication with computer and powering.

Dynamic range of analogue to digital conversions of ESI U22XT is 102 dB, digital to analogue : 108 dB; for device drivers are released for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 with support of ASIO 2.0, MME, WDM and DirectSound ( +DirectWIRE ) interfaces; in Mac OS X it works without additional drivers with support of Core Audio interface; through them it interacts with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. After device connection and its drivers setup its parameters can be controlled through U22 XT Control Panel program, which allows to set separately recording and playback channels volume levels and mute them, if needed. Also it can set latency ( buffer size ) and DirectWIRE connections, which allow to route sound signals between different analogue and program connectors and interfaces.

With device programs Image-Line Deckadance LE and DAW Bitwig 8-Track are supplied. First of them is a DJs’ console and mixer, which can work as stand-alone program and as VST plugin with connection to DAW or other program. Second of them is entry-level DAW, which allow to work with sounds and MIDI notes on up to 8 tracks with ability to record analogue audio and connect different VST instruments and effects. Also it has sounds and presets, selected from professional Bitwig Studio Library, and supports automation and built-in Open Controller Scripting API for advanced control and processing. Bitwig 8-Track is a simplified version of Bitwig Studio and takes 5 GB of disk space, it downloads additional modules from Internet during setup. ESI U22XT’s sizes are 17.5 ( width ) x 12 ( depth ) x 4.5 ( height ) cm and mass is 0.75 kg, its body is made from polished aluminum with beautiful and offbeat for ESI scarlet color.

Package contain : ESI U22XT audio interface itself, USB-cable, disks with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Interface is good with characteristics, ports and their amount on the level of small studio; there is ability to anticipate adequate price for device, because ESI usually does not overprice its devices, the same way as Steinberg and Behringer do; while Focusrite, Roland and M-Audio can set high price for their devices.

Company ESI was founded in Germany in 2006 year, mainly it produces audio interfaces, loudspeakers and other sound equipment. Its products are notable for high quality and acceptable prices, currently offices and facilities of company are located in a couple of countries of the world.

Company Behringer is one of the leaders in sound studio equipment production, as in overall quality level, so in value/price level, among its audio interfaces there are very professional devices, designed for work in large studios, for example, Behringer FIREPOWER FCA1616. Device can work with 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample, supports connection with computer via USB and Firewire interfaces, it has 16 inputs and 16 outputs and to its microphone inputs MIDAS preamplifiers are connected. On frontal panel of audio interface following are placed : 4 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/instrumental Hi-Z inputs; gain control knobs and instrumental mode, compressor, +48 V phantom power and PAD function switches with indicators for all of these inputs; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones outputs with volume control knobs, mono mode switch and source selector for second input with indicators; inputs and outputs work lights, digital and analogue inputs mixing balance knob, outputs volume controller with channels selector for it with LED activity light; and indicators of power, USB or Firewire connection, digital inputs and outputs, MIDI input and output and work of coaxial, optical, ADAT and S/MUX connections with digital interface selector. On its back panel there are : power adapter input; Kensington Lock slot; MIDI input and output; USB and Firewire ports; digital optical and coaxial inputs and outputs; 8 TRS 1/4″ jack linear balanced outputs ( 1st and 2nd are main ones ); 8 TRS 1/4″ jack Inserts ports; and 4 the same type balanced linear inputs.

Dynamic range of frontal inputs of Behringer FIREPOWER FCA1616 is 102 dB, impedance is 1 MOhm in instrumental mode and 3 kOhms in microphone mode, with +18 – +60 dB amplification and maximal input signal level 14 dB; inputs on back panel has following characteristics : 100 dB dynamic range, 47 kOhms impedance, 14 dB maximal input signal; Inserts : 47 kOhms impedance and 21 dB maximal input signal; analogue outputs : 200 Ohms impedance, 8 dB balanced maximal output signal; headphones outputs : 10 Ohms impedance and 22 dB maximal signal level. Device has 20 W max power consumption; its body is made from aluminum, its sizes are 50 ( height ) x 482.6 ( width ) x 161 ( depth ) mm and mass is 1.8 kg. For Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 for audio interface drivers are released with ASIO 2.0 interface support, in Mac OS X it works without additional drivers with Core Audio interface support, via which it interacts with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. After purchase there is ability to download from manufacturer’s site DAW Tracktion and large amount of VST instruments and effects and sounds samples.

Package contains : Behringer FIREPOWER FCA1616 audio interface itself, USB and Firewire cables, disks with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface is great and it is designed for work in large studios, for them it is one of the best devices. For small studios such large amount of connectors is not needed and there is ability to buy audio interfaces with smaller connectors amount and price and the same level of components quality of Steinberg, Behringer itself, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production.

One of the most professional studio-level USB audio interfaces of Focusrite company is Scarlett 18i20 – device with 18 audio inputs and 20 outputs with support of 96 kHz and 24 bits mode. On its frontal panel following are placed : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear/instrumental Hi-Z inputs; phantom power +48 V switch for inputs 1 – 4 with indicator and the same for inputs 5 – 8; gain control knob, instrumental mode and PAD switches with indicators for inputs 1 and 2; gain control knobs for inputs 3 – 8; screen with outputs’ levels indication and USB signal and locking indicators; volume control knob and Direct Monitor and mute switches with activity indicators; 2 independent TRS 1/4″ jack outputs for monitor headphones with volume controls; and power on switch button with indicator. On back panel there are : line power input ( power from USB or adapter is not enough for interface ); digital coaxial S/PDIF input and output; MIDI input and output; USB 2.0 port; clock signal synchronization port; digital optical ADAT input and output; 10 analogue TRS 1/4″ jack outputs ( 1 and 2 are balanced ); and 6 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs.

To all combined analogue inputs of Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 preamplifiers Focusrite are connected. Device has following characteristics : dynamic range of analogue to digital conversions is 109 dB; digital to analogue 108 dB; microphone inputs ( THD+N 0.001 %, noise level -122 dB ); linear inputs ( THD+N 0.007 %, noise level -105 dB, maximal input signal level +28 dB ); instrumental inputs ( THD+N 0.007 %, noise level -103 dB, maximal input level +8 dB ); analogue linear outputs ( maximal output level +16 dB, THD+N 0.001 % ). Fore device drivers are released for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion OSes with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly, through which it works with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. Device sizes are : 482 ( width ) x 265 ( depth ) x 45 ( height ) mm and mass is 3.4 kg. Following programs are bundled with device : DAW Ableton Live Lite, mixer Scarlett MixControl, Scarlett Plug-in Suite ( VST/AU/RTAS versions of compressor, reverberation, gating and equalizer ), AU/VST digital version of analogue synthesizer Novation Bass Station and 1 GB of free samples Loopmasters.

Package contains : Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 USB audio interface itself, USB cable, power cable, optical disks with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Interface is very professional, has large amount of connectors and functions and is designed for use in large studios, for them – it is one of the best devices. For small studios such amount of connectors is not needed and there is ability to buy devices with smaller price and the same level of quality of internal components of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite itself, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production.