What is Best Audio Interface for under $300?

[yamaz]

Id like to get an Audio Interface/DAC for occassional recording and for production/dj with ableton live on my laptop....so i need good sound with no noise and low latency.

Id like to have option for direct monitoring so you can hear yourself jam out through monitors without going through computer first unless of course, the latency in doing so is unnoticeable. Id like to get something under $200 but can spend up to $300 if need be.

[yamaz]

bump.

[Ongelegen]

If you have firewire, I recommend Focusrite Saffire. I got the LE version and I like it very much. Very good recording quality and low latency.

[2manynoobs]

i can recommend echo audiofire 4

[bmills]

What do you guys think of NI Kontrol 1? I'm in the same budget area as the OP.

[wormcode]

What do you guys think of NI Kontrol 1? I'm in the same budget area as the OP.

A friend of mine got one recently and loves it. I've only used it a few times, but I can't really say anything bad about it. The fact it comes with a free NI synth of your choice is just icing on the cake. As it's USB, definitely a good choice for someone with a laptop on a budget.

[bmills]

What do you guys think of NI Kontrol 1? I'm in the same budget area as the OP.

A friend of mine got one recently and loves it. I've only used it a few times, but I can't really say anything bad about it. The fact it comes with a free NI synth of your choice is just icing on the cake. As it's USB, definitely a good choice for someone with a laptop on a budget.

[yamaz]

Yes I've been leaning towards NI Audio Kontrol, especially with the free synth(although I already have them warez'd)

The only thing I dont like about it so far is lack of stereo in's? I think its just got two line in...so I guess together, 1 stereo in?

[Rickmansworth]

Audio 8 DJ ain't bad... Not sure if its the best, but its what I use, bc I got it for free, and I've had no problems.

[wormcode]

Yes I've been leaning towards NI Audio Kontrol, especially with the free synth(although I already have them warez'd)

The only thing I dont like about it so far is lack of stereo in's? I think its just got two line in...so I guess together, 1 stereo in?

I think so but it's a very very small box. The XLR input doubles as a TRS input as well I think, so you can probably have 2 stereo ins. It has quite a few I/O options for such a tiny box, I was surprised.

[relik]

The NI Audio Kontrol is probably the only one in that price range that has 192 kHz quality...most in that range only have 96 kHz. I don't know how good their converters are though. Has 103db SNR, where other USB/Fireware interfaces or even cards in the same range have less noise...not that you'd really be able to tell. I believe abZ has a couple.

[abZ]

The NI Audio Kontrol is probably the only one in that price range that has 192 kHz quality...most in that range only have 96 kHz. I don't know how good their converters are though. Has 103db SNR, where other USB/Fireware interfaces or even cards in the same range have less noise...not that you'd really be able to tell. I believe abZ has a couple.

Yeah the AK1 is noticably better than my MAudio dj interface. Not sure if they are the same converters as other MAudio stuff, good chance Id say. Macc gave the thumbs up on the coverts, thats when I made the decision to get it. There is only two inputs, so one stereo to clear that up. Only one xlr input which kinda sucks. There is another interface I have seen almost the same but with 2 xlr although I cant look it up as I am mobile atmo. AKe is a good buy tho imo

[uhslez]

Where can you see that you'd get a free NI synth of your choice for free with the Audio Kontrol? I dont see it neither in thomann nor the official page.

[Phase Down]

ive got the lexicon i-onix u22, great little usb thing, looks nice too

[antics]

Looks like they've changed the value of the voucher on their site (maybe due to the sale), you might be able to find it elsewhere online with the original deal.

I've got one, I haven't found myself using any of the buttons on top, the midi buttons are stiff and definately for triggering on/off effects rather then playing hits, and I haven't really looked into assignnig the wheel, but i would love tog et it set on current track volume, not sure if thats possible...

As for the ins and outs, as said above they are mono, its aimed at a guitar and a mike I would say, and having used them with a guitar it all works great, low latency, good quality etc... Same with the 4 outputs from the back, you have a volume for 1+2 and 3+4 so you could tweak them independatly and there is a headphone socket which you can use pass the input audio thorugh to if I'm not mistaken (you might be able to do this for monitors too). However in FL i've had a track with a guitar coming in going through Guitar Rig, fruity reverb and a bunch of other stuff playing out clearly at 2ms latency.

From what I've read there are some cheaper alternatives that do similar things, but the kontrol has a lot of class and quality.