Topic: New Interface/Setup Advice
Hi all,
I wasn't sure where to post this as it sort of relates to both the Fireface interfaces as well as the ADI stuff, so apologies if this is in the wrong section.
I have recently gotten back into mixing/mastering as a hobbie and my old 1st Gen Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 which I bought thinking I may track a band or two is now overkill as I don't do any tracking apart from guitar via a modeller and that's very unlikely to change. It's also become very apparent in modern times that the drivers are very unstable these days.
That said, I've heard nothing but praise for RME regarding the stability of their drivers and so I'm looking towards them as an upgrade.
I am currently using a Kemper Profiling Amplifier plugged into the Scarlett via S/PDIF, with my primary output being a pair of Sennheiser HD600's plugged into the front headphone output, though I do also have a pair of JBL LSR305's as well. I use Reaper for my DAW (although Studio One has caught my eye recently) and Windows for my Operating System.
Therefore, my current requirements are thus:-
1. Good quality converters
2. A good headphone output
3. Analog outputs for the JBL's
4. S/PDIF inputs/outputs for the Kemper
However, I am considering changing the Kemper for a Neural DSP Quad Cortex which foregoes the S/PDIF outputs and is analog or USB only. USB becomes messy in Windows due to the need for multiple audio interfaces to be available to the DAW at one time, so it's likely I would favour the analog outputs (and the Kemper can also use analog until I buy the Quad Cortex).
I am also very interested in the Kali SM-5 monitors which have digital inputs and so a setup with digital outputs would also be a plus.
Considering I have no use for preamps, would something like the ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition paired with the Babyface Pro FS be a good way to go? I understand an interface is required to use the TotalMix for low latency monitoring as the ADI does not offer this by itself?
Or would a Fireface UCX II alone be sufficient? I only need minimal I/O, so I'm loathed to buy a larger interface, but I would like the converter quality to be as high as possible.
Apologies for the long post, however I felt the need to explain my existing setup/aspirations for a new setup to give the best chance of good recommendations.
Any insights/recommendations would be appreciated.
