VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Fran McClellan

Hi everyone! Sorry in advance for the book...

I've been researching audio interfaces here and, as expected, there is a ton of great info. So much that I'm starting to feel overwhelmed about making a choice Shocked

. Here's my situation...

My current setup is super duper simple (and that's the way I like it Smile

). I have my AT4033 into an M Hobo Tounge

into my Macbook Pro. My output is MBP internal speaker (I know, I know...). I want to order a set of M-Audio BX5 D2 monitors, so that's the main reason I need the interface. The other reason is that I have a Studiobricks booth en route and will hopefully be upgrading my mic sometime this year (Going to try out a 416 to see how it works with my voice). Even with my current mic, I'd prefer to extend to the booth via XLR rather than USB (it's under 15ft, but I'd really hate to extend USB and take a chance of diminished quality).

Sooo...while researching I kind of fell in love with the Focusrite 2i2 and iTrack (leaning more towards the iTrack), however, I went on to read that Source-Connect Standard and Focusrite don't play well together. 1) Is this still true and 2) Is that true of the iTrack as well or just the 2i2? I couldn't find anything on Source Element's site about it (although it was late when I was looking, so could have missed it).

Any suggestions for a similar and simple to work with interface around the same price range?

Thanks in advance!
Fran
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graemespicer · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:23 pm Post subject:

I have successfully used Source-Connect Pro with my Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 for over a year. No problems. Yymv.
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Fran McClellan · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Graeme! I had read it works ok with SC Pro, but I have Standard. I really don't want to upgrade just because of that, though Undecided

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Jan Park Holm · Joined: 04 Jan 2014 Posts: 16 Location: Denmark

I have no experience with SC - but I have made a couple of installations using the Focusrite 2i2 - and it just works. To me SC problems with this interface sounds more like configuration issues, could be wrong but still.

Before going with the M-Audio monitor - please have a look here
http://vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16723
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ricevoice · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 3:34 pm Post subject:

I use the standalone SC Standard a Hobo Tounge

with a Scarlett 8i6 on Windows 7... no problems at all.
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Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 3:51 pm Post subject:

You could pick up a used Propellerhead Balance. I have had ZERO issues with that interface. I got mine for $245 on eBay. I have no experience with the Focusrite stuff. Apogee One worked great for me too.

Fran McClellan · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:04 pm Post subject:

heyguido · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:35 pm Post subject:

I'm another Balance convert. Sweet kit. Clean and clear. Not for a dynamic that needs gain, but works well with my stable of phantom condensers. And I love the physical interface. Comfy and convenient.

Cheap on ebay. Wink

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Ed Fisher · Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:47 pm Post subject:

I had the Focusrite 2i2 but returned it. If you like to record with plenty of volume in your headphones, I can't recommend it. However, if you are one of those (I suspect a majority here based upon a poll I once took) that record without listening in headphones...it should do fine.

For the money it's a great piece of gear and I've notice that George Whittam recommends it all the time.

Instead I found the Mackie Onyx Blackjack.
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 8:31 pm Post subject:

I`ve also been looking into the itrack, cause it seems to keep going down in price, but I've heard it's having driver issues with ios7 and Mavericks.

Blackjack is a solid option and popular.

Another option is the recent Duo Capture Ex from Roland. Like the itrack, it is ipad compatible, but it has the option of running off AC or 3 AA batteries, and unlike the itrack, it doesn't use a propietary cable, but you would need either the 30-pin or lightning camera connection kit based on your ipad/iphone (still easier than using an extension and an adaptor). Built like a tank, and known for its reliable drivers and great preamps. Runs about $199 on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Roland-UA-22-Duo-Capture-EX/dp/B00AGBYWM0
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Fran McClellan · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:24 am Post subject:

Thanks, everyone, for your input! I just wanted to post a quick update:

I went ahead and ordered the 2i2 and then e-mailed Rebekah at Source-Elements asking her about any known conflicts. She said they had seen previous issues with the Focusrite 2i2, but that it appeared to be a system configuration issue (with certain versions of Mac OSX and Focusrite drivers) rather than Source-Connect. She also mentioned that they hadn't heard of any recent issues.

Well...when it got here, as I feared, SC3.6 froze while the 2i2 was in place Undecided

. I e-mailed Rebekah again and explained that the issues with OS that I've read about were with Maverick...not Snow Leopard. She replied and suggested I try version 3.7 to see if that fixes the issue "You may need to look at upgrading to 3.7, there were some improvements made to work around the Scarlett issues". Hmmmm...

She sent the trial version to my iLok and that did fix the issue. I wasn't going to upgrade, but the cost is a lot less than I had anticipated so I probably will, but...grrr Get Lost

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Bish · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:27 pm Post subject:

So... you use a Mac with Snow Leopard (a fairly standard set-up, like mine)... you buy a popular interface from a major manufacturer (I have a 2i2 as well)... and your specialist software from a relatively small company craps out. They initially blame Apple and/or Focusrite for the problems, and then sell you a software upgrade that fixes the problem (that supposedly wasn't theirs in the first place).

I'm afraid this actually reinforces everything I feel about SC as a product, and as a company.

Apart from that, I'm really happy that you have a solution Wink

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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Funny...I bought a 2i2 today. It doesn't sound as quite good as an Audiofire 2, but that box doesn't really play nicely anymore with anything, sadly. However, the 2i2 does sound much much better than my M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. It's a terrific piece of kit for the low price.

Also, The Focusrite Scarlett works flawlessly with ipDTL...jus' sayin'.
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Fran McClellan · Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:38 pm Post subject:

Yeah, Bish...I hear what you're saying and I was thinking that as well. I'm willing to give them a pass this time only because SC has more than paid for itself for me. Considering I can't get ISDN in my area and the nearest ISDN studio is a 2 hour drive away, I have to take what I can get Undecided

.

Lance...I'm glad to hear it works well with ipDTL as I've recently added that, and am really excited and hopeful that it catches on with studios. I've been gently pushing it in my audition proposals...lol! Funny thing...I had a studio I've been passively following on social media contact me about joining their roster because they were wanting to try out ipDTL and saw that I followed the company on Twitter Laugh

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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Good luck with the 2i2 and I hope that SC continues to work out well for you.

Congrats on getting ipDTL. Was this studio you mention from upstate New York? I had one contact me for similar reasons. Very nice person, and I hope we work together in the near future.

I don't push ipDTL to all my clients, but there have been reasons:

1.) Production arm of a top financial company mentions that gee, their firewall blocks Skype. I mention ipDTL. They buy it the next day and love it.

2.) Production house in Europe contacts me that their client isn't sure if they want to do ISDN or Skype (I can do ISDN because I'm on good terms with the manager at a stellar studio 15 minutes from my house that regularly does ISDN with international recording artists). I tell the production house, and they look into it. I mentioned it to the manager at the stellar studio too, and he's checking it out.

3.) I used to work at a production house in Boston, and now dozens of former employees work at their own companies. I pass on the info, and they're excited about it.

4.) Any smaller editors or production companies I'm in touch with in Atlanta, I mention it to them in passing as a heads-up.
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