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What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2019 4:04 pm
by brettgowder
I've done so much research and reading and am trying to figure out what interface/mixer to get for home recording. I'd like to have the ability to record 12 inputs, but can get away with 8.

Currently I have the AudioBox USB, but am constantly having to switch out cables depending on what instrument is being recorded. I'm looking for a piece of gear that will allow me to connect my two stereo keyboards, both guitars and bass, and to not have to ever mess with cables again.

I've since chatted with so many who have their recommendations. I was going to get a mixer like the PreSonus StudioLive AR16, but someone said live mixers with "audio interface" capabilities are never recommended for studio use, because they sound bad. Instead, the Presonus 1824c or Focusrite 18i20 was recommended.

I like the AR 16, because I could connect all my gear. The 1824c doesn't have as many inputs.

Pretty confused with all of this. Any recommendations from the manufacturer of the Presonus products, or from the community? Thanks.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2019 6:29 pm
by darrenporter1
I use and love the TASCAM US-16x08. It can record up to 16 inputs at once (8 XLR and 8 1/4" jacks), plus real MIDI in/out jacks. TASCAM just released another interface so they can be had pretty inexpensively right now. It also has some future-proofing built-in because the 8 XLR preamps can be routed to the 8 direct line outputs without using it as an interface, as in you can use it as a standalone 8-channel mic pre for live mixing.

There aren't too many interfaces on the market with that many inputs without spending money for a second device.

But, the AR16 will have the exact same preamps as the other PreSonus interfaces so you are not going to sacrifice sound quality unless it uses cheaper/worse sounding AD/DA converters but I don't know the specifics of that. Plus with the AR16 you will have a live mixer in case you ever need that, and easier direct monitoring if latency is an issue for you.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 4:12 am
by SwitchBack
The core purpose of the AR mixers is to be a simple sturdy live mixer that also allows you to record all mixer inputs. If it’s never going to leave your studio then, in the long run, a pure recording interface like the Studio 1810c would probably a better choice. And in a studio you’ll want that midi port too.

Another option is a StudioLive 16R rack mixer. It has plenty inputs and outputs and it is a mixer too (for the low latency).

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:34 am
by brettgowder
It will never leave the home studio, so I’ll move forward with getting an interface. Thanks. I’d like to have 12 inputs, but can get by with eight for starters. So now the question is, which one? Are Presonus products as good as Focusrite, i.e., Presonus 1824c versus Focusrite 18i20?

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 11:16 am
by darrenporter1
That is a topic of hot debate... If I were deciding between the two I would probably go with the one that I think has the most attractive plugin suite bundled with it. They are both fine interfaces.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 1:57 pm
by roblof
The Midas, mr18 is a great device with 18 inputs (16 combo and 2 line) and 8 outputs. It also have great builtin fx for direct monitoring that won’t tax your cpy.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:39 pm
by darrenporter1
Mackie has a similar device too. I have been wondering how well those devices work in practice as an interface.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:48 am
by brettgowder
Wow on the Tascam US-16x08 Rackmount USB Audio/MIDI Interface. I just noticed it's price, which is less than $300. I wonder what I miss out on if I get that versus the Focusrite 18i20.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 12:04 pm
by darrenporter1
No ADAT I/O and no plugins bundled with it. Only on-board DSP for direct monitoring is compression and EQ.

If you can live with that, it's a great interface. With the extra 6 inputs that have no mic pre it works great if you have external preamps as well. It also has two instrument/line-level inputs instead of just your standard one. When I bought mine used a couple years ago I paid more than the current new price so yeah it's a great deal. I'm considering getting another one so just so I can have the extra eight mic preamps for easier recording of a whole band. Eight line-outs make multiple headphone mixes easy too.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 4:48 pm
by matthewgorman
More than 300.00 for sure, but take a look at the series 3 consoles. You get an interface, live mixer, and daw controller in one unit. You get on board fat channel processing with the ability to print, and onboard fx for tracking (reverb and delay). On top of that, the converters and mic pres are the best sounding they have put out.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 5:09 pm
by brettgowder
Series 3 mixers look great, but sadly they're more than I want to spend. I think it's going to be the Focusrite 18i20.

Re: What interface or mixer to get for home recording

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 6:10 pm
by darrenporter1
that's a good choice. later on if you decide you need extra inputs there are a few options to add an 8-input ADAT preamp. Focusrite and PreSonus both make them.