Best audio interface for $400+?

[xXGreenXx90]

I am looking for an audio interface that I can plug both of my KRK Rokit speakers into along with the sub woofer. I mainly want it for exporting my Electronic songs in higher quality. What would be the best audio interface for that that is in the price rang of 400 - 500$? I was thinking about getting one of these but I don't know if I could find a better one for around that price ^.

http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-ProFire-6 ... ZM9HMPQ%27



Thanks

[__________]

I mainly want it for exporting my Electronic songs in higher quality.

Your interface will make no difference in the quality of your exports.

Interfaces are just that - an interface between your audio drivers to your speakers (out) and any sound sources you want to record (in).

The quality of a track you export from your DAW is entirely dependent on your export settings - format (mp3/wav), bit rate (16/24/32 bit) and sample rate (48k, 96k, etc).
This is all done by your CPU and RAM. Your interface isn't involved at export, it's for monitoring and/or recording.

If you want your exports to sound better (you're not gonna like this) then practice your mixdowns, train your ears and get better monitors.

IMO spend $400+ ($800+ ideally) on your monitors and cop any old interface.

Also, don't drop $400 on an M-Audio interface. For that kinda money you wanna be looking at Focusrite or something (but don't....spend the money on improving your monitoring)

[xXGreenXx90]

Thanks this was a big help! I was confused on the whole audio interface thing because everyone was telling me it allows you to export your songs in higher quality. If I was to get an audio interface why would I go with the Focusrite over the M-audio interface? Also do I need an interface to hook my speakers up to or can I just plug them into my computer ?

[Coolschmid]

dont spend that much on an interface.

Get a focusright saffire or something 100-150

[Trichome]

this is pretty much the best budget interface you can get:
http://www.gak.co.uk/en/focusrite-scarl ... tAodAF8A9Q

[xXGreenXx90]

What do you mean by best budget interface? Do you mean the best interface I can buy that is in my budget? This interface will allow me to connect my monitors to it right ? If you have a better interface does it make the sound of your speakers better or does it just allow you to record in better quality with no white noise or cracks?

[RARRR_]

For $400 to $500 you would be better off investing in new monitors;)


If you are only using it to plug your monitors into your computer then a $30 behringer will suffice;)

More expensive ones are only needed if you are recording sound (from guitars etc)

[xXGreenXx90]

Ahh I see. Thanks so much ! Hey could you please link me the XLR cords I need for the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 to plug into my monitors?

[SunkLo]

Don't buy a $30 Behringer interface, that's asinine. I explained in your other thread the value of good convertors and drivers. You should probably get the 2i2 and spend the rest on room treatment. Any leftover money should go towards better monitors. The 2i2 will hold you off until you have a well treated room and next tier monitors.

[xXGreenXx90]

Yeah that's my plan. The 2i2 so I can hook up my monitors and then a stand for my monitors and maybe some foam for the walls. Is there anything else that is essential? Could you recommend me some good stands for the monitors please ?

[SunkLo]

Auralex Mopads are really popular but I've heard good things about Isoacoustics. Probably worth the extra 30 bucks just for the height and angle flexibility let alone the decoupling.

You'll need a pair of XLR cables. Any kind will do assuming they're not haggard old second hand ones that were used to tie up bundles of sticks.

Apart from that you're good to go. Your next future upgrade would be monitors. You could sell the KRKs to help fund that or keep them as a reference. You'll probably end up using the Rokits for a while, so you will have learned them well by the time you've saved up for the next tier monitors. Might be worth having them around as a second opinion that you're already familiar with.

[xXGreenXx90]

Haha lol XD priceless "tie up hold bundles of sticks". Those products look promising but the only thing is I don't have much desk space at the moment so I was thinking of getting stands instead of pads or monitor raisers. Or is it worth the wait until I get a bigger desk? If it's not a big deal if I get stands over speaker pads then could you link me some good stands for the Rokit 8s ? I decided to go with the Rokit 8 because that's all I can afford at the moment, I do plan on upgrading in the future though !

[SunkLo]

Lot of people use freestanding monitor supports. You could probably DIY. You'd fill them with sand so they're heavy and put pointy feet on the bottom so they're extra grounded. Then whatever surface on top to hold the monitors. Upon which you could then place Isoacoustics for the extra decoupling and angle fine tuning.

But hey a bigger desk has a lot of advantages. The price you'd spend on floor stands, you could use for an Ikea tabletop and 4 adjustable legs to get the height right. Throw on a keyboard tray and maybe another small raised surface to act as a monitor bridge, and you've got yourself a dope desk for pretty cheap.

[xXGreenXx90]

I think I am going to go with a bigger desk Thanks! So I found these cords on amazon but I am confused if these cords will work (BELOW)

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Stereo-3-5mm ... m+9.9+feet


I was thinking of just buying these cords (BELOW) but my friend said buy those (ABOVE)

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stere ... y_MI_img_y

(ALONG WITH)

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-GPR101 ... y_MI_img_z

[SunkLo]

Hah your friend's dumb, don't take any more of his advice. He's trying to get you on some ghetto rig business using a headphone output. You'll need TRS to XLR cables. Like this.

[xXGreenXx90]

Alright haha lol. Thanks I am going to order two of those cables you linked me. What's the difference between the cables you linked me and these though?

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP159-Stere ... y_MI_img_y

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-GPR101 ... y_MI_img_z

[SunkLo]

The cable I linked will actually work.

[xXGreenXx90]

Why exactly won't the others work ?

[Tettrah]

Here is some some info on this stuff I think you should check out.

A/D conversion, which is the whole reason for an audio interface.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT077L6pfEI

Monitors, you don't need supper crazy expensive speakers. But you want tweeters and mid range drivers and something driving sub/bass. And make sure they are properly crossed over (the right freq. are going to the right speaker) The best thing you can do is get a decent setup and learn how it sounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ8Q-_t6KNc

Cable types, its good to know this stuff and then some because you can do some funky out of the box patching. And you'll be able to get audio in and out of every audio capable unit.
http://www.netplaces.com/home-recording ... lained.htm

And check out these producers house shows to see what the pros are using. Some of them have very elaborate rigs some of them don't. This one is about Flux.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpiNCEwjGl4

[SunkLo]

Why exactly won't the others work ?

Because one's an 1/8" to twin TS and the other are just RCA to TS adaptors.

Your interface has 1/4" outs and your monitors have XLR ins. Hence 1/4" to XLR cables.