Audio interface manufacturers / products

[lini]

(...) I believe he noted using and older Terrratec (from 2002). It may be the same DMX6Fire.

Rather not, because the USB model wasn't yet available back then. So it probably rather was the original ESS-based DMX, the Crystal-based Xfire or more likely (especially if your "from 2002" would refer to the product introduction rather than to when the guy bought/got it) the ICE/VIA-Envy24-based DMX 6fire 24/96 (with the drive-bay module) or the "light" variant thereof, the DMX 6fire LT.

Personally I remember the DMX 6fire 24/96 (and LT) as better sounding than whichever was Creative's current Audigy generation at that time - however, irrc, the 6fire 24/96 relied on purely analogue audio signal transmission between the card and the drive-bay module, while the Audigy would do it digitally, which made Creative's solution more insensitive to PC-internal EM radiation.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

[bhjazz]

Next interface will probably be the Motu Ultralite mk4.

http://motu.com/products/proaudio/ultralite-mk4

Question: if you use the MOTU, it appears the inputs are all TRS. Do you have custom RCA -> TRS cables or am I missing something about your setup? I suppose they could be easily built.

Many thanks!

[jspink]

I have the MOTU Ultralite mk4, only the front two inputs are TRS, the other 6 analog inputs on the rear are TS.

[Tweak-O-Matic]

I have the MOTU Ultralite mk4, only the front two inputs are TRS, the other 6 analog inputs on the rear are TS.

I did get the Ultralite mk4, and yes the above is correct. I now also use the analog outputs to feed a Shiit Magni headphone amp together with a pair of HiFiMan Sundara headphones.

[euclid]

There is now a huge selection of audio interfaces available for your computer. Besides USB and Firewire there is a selection of Dante interfaces too. Many of them are from the usual manufacturers including Focusrite and Yahama. Just prepare for an information overload, then go to B&H or another good supplier's web pages!

Dante is a Ethernet based digital audio system. It may be a subset of AES67. It requires at least a 100Mbs wired connection for about 8 channels and Gigabit for more. Isolated systems can use ordinary, cheap Gigabit switches. There is Dante routing software and sound card software from Audinate. Many of the RIO (remote input output) boxes have remote control software also. Interfaces are available from 2 channels to at least 16 channels with analog, AES, and other types of inputs and outputs.

I have been using the Yamaha TF5 console with three of their TIO-1604 interfaces for live sound and occasionally record up to 26 individual inputs with good results. The system is only 48KHz / 24 bits but works very well and has remote control for gain, Phantom power, and the low pass filter. I have also used one of the TIO boxes standalone for recording with Yahama remote control software. There is better stuff out there with higher sampling rates but I only have about $7K invested this setup.

[euclid]

I have made my own RCA to phone plug cables in the past. When feeding TRS inputs from an unbalanced source, you should tie the low (ring) side to ground. If you use an ordinary TR phone plug, this will be done for you automatically.

For short runs (about 6 feet), you may also us an ordinary RCA connector with female RCA to phone plug adapters.

For balanced outputs, the wiring for the adapter is not always the same. It varies with the topology of the output circuit. For most active balanced outputs and transformer outputs with the center tap grounded do not connect the ring side. For most transformer outputs (center tap not grounded) and few, rare, "floating" active balanced outputs connect the shield and ring together or just use an TR plug. Sometimes doing the output wrong will work but often you will get poor sound or hot componets inside the equipment.

Next interface will probably be the Motu Ultralite mk4.

http://motu.com/products/proaudio/ultralite-mk4

Question: if you use the MOTU, it appears the inputs are all TRS. Do you have custom RCA -> TRS cables or am I missing something about your setup? I suppose they could be easily built.

Many thanks!