Topic: Babyface Pro questions
Hi, im considering buying this one to replace my old USB interface, which is about to be discontinued drivers wise.
I have heard great things of this brand, specially that they will support the devices pretty much forever, unlike the rest of the brands which abandon perfectly fine hardware because the drivers don't get updated to work with the newer OS.
For instance my current USB interface hasn't been updated for 5 years and I doubt they will release drivers for Windows 10, so im stuck with Windows 7, which will stop getting updates next year...)
So anyway, is this true? If I invest in a Babyface Pro will I be able to keep using it forever? I don't really need much more than good, clean sound to mix, and a couple of i/o's to plug some toys.
I make electronic music so I don't really care about mic pre amp quality or having top tier tracking quality because I just click to place midi notes.
I wouldn't like to be paying this much in things I will not use, compared to say, paying much less for a Steinberg UR44 or a Focusrite 6i6. Is the sound quality much better here?
Of course these brands might abandon these products at any given time so you might be stuck with an useless brick by Windows 12... this is what made me seriously consider the Babyface Pro, increasing money I was willing to pay before I realized this (initial budget was along $300-$400 range)
My big concern with this unit however, is that I see a big knob in the center, and nothing else. This is worrying to me, as I assume the volume is controlled digitally/via software, which means that may the unit malfunction, if the volume position gets reset to 0db, your eardrums would explode, along with your headphones and monitors... not a good deal compared to having a nice independent knob for monitors and headphones. I would like detail on how the mechanism works in case the worst happens because I value my earing. I've already had a former soundcard malfunction on me and I had ringing on my ears for weeks, since then I have been using stuff that will have it's own independent knobs for volume to have always control, and this would be taking a risk since again there's only one knob there.
Finally, my headphones are 600 ohm, is this unit capable of driving them well? The other alternative I was considering is the Tascam UH 7000, i've been told it's great sound quality wise, but once again, weak drivers.
And i/o wise, I just need monitors, headphones, and to plug an Eventide 9000 which I presume I can simply connect to the ADAPT or SPDIF ports? which one doesn't matter as far as I know, they all sound the same or so I've heard, including AES/EBU etc. You can plug the thing with so many different cables.
If I ever need to plug in more toys I guess I could expland on it via mixer and patchbays?
Anyway, to sum this up:
1) Can the unit malfunction and reset its sound to maximun leading to ear damage, since there's only one knob controlling a bunch of things at once?
2) Will drivers be maintained forever to have a functional device in future Windows versions? (unlike the rest of scammer brands out there)
3) Can I plug in an Eventide 9000 and expand it's i/o capabilities? which options would you consider?
Thanks all