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Topic: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

Hi all!

I really like my ADI Dac, but need new (hobby level) features . Currently I use an Elgato Wave XLR for my dynamic mic, which really bothers me out of several Elgato related reasons, and a very cheap guitar to usb recorder. Now I want to merge these devices into one, ideally tightly connected to the ADI.

Following some research, the Babyface could be a good option for me, but its very pricy - I was already out of my budget quite a bit for the DAC, I really can't justify 850€+ "just" for my mic and hobby guitar recording.

Is there anything out there that you can recommend next of that? Ideally I would be looking for:

  • Mic input on the back

  • Active Input Level Display

  • Input on the interface and output via the ADI (as my monitors are on there) with as little delay as possible


I hope my question for non-rme products is not too out of place here. I already did some research on my own, but I lack the technical knowledge to really make an informed decision:

  • the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2 seems to have very mixed reviews, and a confusing s/pdif out

  • Antelope Zen Go Synergy Core, also has mixed reviews

Also, would having a completely separate interface (such as a Scarlett) actually have any notable downsides for hobby use?

Thank you very much in advance!

  • ramses
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

BBF Pro FS or UCX II, but it has its price.

My Excel might help to compare USB based and other recording interfaces.
PCIe-based products do not support Mic and instrument inputs.

https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=35156

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

Thanks for your reply! I found these two options, and while I believe you that it's one if not the best option, I can't justify their price. Also, I became a bit obsessed with my desk, and either of these two options is not elegant (something that I would expect for that price - again as a hobby user!)

  • KaiS
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

All I can say:
Stay away from Antelope Audio products.

I have an expensive ($3K) 32 i/o interface from them that practically changed into a paperweight because of lack of driver support for later windows versions.

This is the opposite of what we are used to from RME with them constantly keeping even older device’s firmware and drivers up-to-date.

KaiS's Website

  • vinark
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

Just saying, the babyface pro fs could replace your adi 2 dac fs. RME has great resale value. And maybe you could even find a second hand babyface.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632

6 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-05-14 13:49:56)

  • ramses
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

NiBa420 wrote:

Thanks for your reply! I found these two options, and while I believe you that it's one if not the best option, I can't justify their price. Also, I became a bit obsessed with my desk, and either of these two options is not elegant (something that I would expect for that price - again as a hobby user!)

Hobby user, what does that mean? .. If you are interested in something and want to work comfortably and not be limited in any way by bad drivers / software, then there is no way around RME.

Have a look at what I have here, its for me also a hobby.
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ent … iii-en-de/

Regarding RME .. Good things have their price but also their value.
The further benefit is that even if you have to sell a device, you can easily get around 70-80% of the street price, depending on its age and condition. Another positive effect of stability and long-term maintenance of drivers, firmware, and software.
By this, such an investment is kind of "safe".

The question is simply what you want to achieve. Perhaps the ADI-2 DAC is enough for you. However, if you need the routing possibilities of a recording interface with a digital mixer for your work, then you need a recording interface with one. And here too, TotalMix FX is the best you can get in this area, other solutions are not that much worked out and logic in operation.

You will see, you can pay a lot of money for other devices, but they don't have the range of functions, flexibility and ease of use. Those other products have usually a shorter lifecycle and everything is not that much worked out compared to RME.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

7 Reply by Kubrak (edited by Kubrak 2024-05-14 15:25:00)

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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

I as "hobby user" would recomend secondhand RME thing. Depending on the budget, starting with Fireface UC (but it does not have FX which is usable...), UCX. Or Babyface. The oldest model one could get for about 200 EUR...

If having firewire one could even get Fireface 400.... People sell them as firewire becomes rare....

8 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-05-14 17:05:05)

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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

Kubrak wrote:

I as "hobby user" would recomend secondhand RME thing. Depending on the budget, starting with Fireface UC (but it does not have FX which is usable...), UCX. Or Babyface. The oldest model one could get for about 200 EUR...

If having firewire one could even get Fireface 400.... People sell them as firewire becomes rare....

He said he is playing guitar. I am not sure whether this is more a requirement for having a MIC or an INST input.

Regarding Instrument inputs, the newer recording interfaces might have an advantage with 1 MOhm impedance.
The older FireWire (400/800) and USB interfaces (UC, UCX) have 470 kOhm impedance.

The newer interfaces have also faster converter, converter latency is lower than the latency caused by ASIO or macOS application buffer sizes, but alone from converter latency it is around 1.3ms lower. UCX II AD/DA @44.1: 0.24ms vs. UC 1.6 ms.

The UCX II would have a similar preamp like UFX II with a gain range up to 75 dB. Just in case, he would need around or more than 60dB gain (which can quickly become the case with dynamic mics in a silent recording situation at home).

Of course, he can try with a UC or UCX if he wants and has no interest in getting a warranty.

FireWire, I would not purchase anymore. It is simply too old tech. Nobody really knows how long this will be supported by Microsoft and Apple. You also have it much easier to find PC and Laptop with USB2 compared to FW400. And if he uses a Laptop he can't even add a PCIe FW card. Not much flexibility, usually you will have difficulties if you want to use a Laptop.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

Wow, thanks for all the input! Well, stupid me - ofc you guys here are going to recommend me the RME stuff :-)

Maybe asking from the other direction - what would be the advantages of using the babyface into the adi dac compared to a "cheap" separate interface, where the computer then routes the audio out to the adi? Again, I would need it for home office microphone use and recording and "monitoring" (after applying digital effects in my DAW) my non-profit hobby guitar.

10 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-05-14 18:49:33)

  • KaiS
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

Why not use ADI-2 DAC as computer/DAW interface?!

If your existing preamps havs Coax or Optical digital outputs that‘s an option.

KaiS's Website

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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

KaiS wrote:

Why not use ADI-2 DAC as computer/DAW interface?!

If your existing preamps havs Coax or Optical digital outputs that‘s an option.

That's the issue, the Elgato wave doesn't have that - in fact I couldn't find any promising interfaces (at a budget) with optical out.

12 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-05-14 19:26:02)

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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

NiBa420 wrote:

Wow, thanks for all the input! Well, stupid me - ofc you guys here are going to recommend me the RME stuff :-)

There are also good reasons for this.

NiBa420 wrote:

Maybe asking from the other direction - what would be the advantages of using the babyface into the adi dac compared to a "cheap" separate interface, where the computer then routes the audio out to the adi? Again, I would need it for home office microphone use and recording and "monitoring" (after applying digital effects in my DAW) my non-profit hobby guitar

More information please. What type of guitar and how do you intend to record. Do you record an acoustic or electric guitar by using a mic? Or do you need an instrument input to play electric guitar or bass over a virtual amp (VSTi)?

What do you mean by "home office microphone use"? Do you mean a headset micro or a "real" dynamic, condenser or ribbon mic?

Best would be you would also mention the products that you want to connect to see, which I/O ports you need.

Many information have already been written about the topic "why RME".
A few points I summarized in this Blog article to save some time by referencing to it:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … B-MADIfac/

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

13 Reply by NiBa420 (edited by NiBa420 2024-05-14 19:21:49)

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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

- Dynamic mic
- Electric Guitar (over virtual amp) in my DAW that should output to the adi-2
- I/O related, im not really restricted. I "only" own the ADI as of now and will not expand my recording needs

14 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-05-14 19:32:58)

  • ramses
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

NiBa420 wrote:

- Dynamic mic
- Electric Guitar (over virtual amp) in my DAW that should output to the adi-2
- I/O related, im not really restricted. I "only" own the ADI as of now and will not expand my recording needs

Then BBF Pro FS or UCX II would be fine.

Integration of ADI-2 DAC similar to here:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … our-Setup/

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

15 Reply by Kubrak (edited by Kubrak 2024-05-14 20:35:46)

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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

OP has considered NI KA6 MK2 that new costs 230 EUR and now is even on sale for 160. So, UCX II for say 1 300 is way, way more... And they are not much cheaper even secondhand. :-( I myself would like replace UCX by UCX II.

So, it is question of money and needs. For me would be UCX minimum. Or Babyface Pro. Of course, UCX II would be better and BF Pro FS as well.

@NiBa420 Is that plugin GuitarRig by NI? And concerning NI KA6. It did work OK for me, better said NI KA2 did. But RME is way better in many ways. Just sort of adictive to.

Concerning non-RME interfaces, my friend that works in pro studio has recomended me Presonus. You may have look at their interfaces.

16 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-05-15 00:33:15)

  • KaiS
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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

NiBa420 wrote:

- Dynamic mic
- Electric Guitar (over virtual amp) in my DAW that should output to the adi-2
- I/O related, im not really restricted. I "only" own the ADI as of now and will not expand my recording needs

The only thing you need is a 2 channel Line / Mic pre with SPDIF out.
Should be possible to find one.
Visit a local musicians store if possible.

ADI-2 DAC can stay your computer interface then.

KaiS's Website

17 Reply by MC

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Re: Budget Interface combo with ADI-2 Dac FS

NiBa420 wrote:

I hope my question for non-rme products is not too out of place here.

It is. This is the RME forum, only addressing RME related stuff. There are plenty of other, general forums to aks for other manufacturer's products.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

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