What audio interfaces are you using?

[bassjunky]

I recently upgraded from a 2011 27” iMac to a M4 mini. Hell of an upgrade, but now I need to buy a new audio interface for music production.

I have a really nice Lexicon FW 800 interface that worked great for years in Logic, but it being so old, it’s not worth the money in adapters just to get it to work with the new mini, if it even would work. I’m thinking about the Behringer Flow 8, a little 8 input mixer than can be used stand-alone or an 8-input audio interface for a DAW.

I would like to record at least 4 tracks at a time into Logic. I like that it is not completely dependent on software as some other interfaces. This Behringer fits the bill, up to 8 tracks for only $200. Anyone use one, or have any opinions on other audio interfaces you are using?

 

[rm5]

I personally wouldn't recommend Behringer. They're a horrible company, for one, and two, I don't think their interfaces or any of their products are particularly good-quality. But that's just me. On the other hand, Focusrite makes great interfaces. They're expensive, but well worth it. Tascam makes some good interfaces, too, but I don't have any first-hand experience with them.

I looked briefly at the Behringer Flow 8, and it looks more to be a mixer than an audio interface. A mixer and an interface are two very different things. A mixer is intended for use in live settings. Some mixers, like the Behringer, have interfaces built-in. However, a mixer with a built-in interface usually will only let you record the stereo output. In other words, you cannot record the channels to individual tracks in a Digital Audio Workstation. Unless I missed something (which I may have - so do thorough research!), the Behringer does not have this capability.

To put this in perspective, here is an example of this key difference:

Scenario #1 - Using a Mixer with Built-in Interface: You connect your instruments to the four channels, plug the mixer's USB output into your computer, and open up your DAW (Logic in your case, sounds like). The drawback to this is that in the list of available inputs, you will almost certainly have ONLY THE STEREO OUTPUT as an option. This is not optimal, because you cannot record inputs to individual tracks (see below).

Scenario #2 - Using a "Proper" Audio Interface (i.e., Focusrite, Tascam, Universal Audio): Here, you connect your instruments to the channels, plug in the interface to your computer, and open Logic, just as before. But, crucially, you can assign Input 1 to track 1, input 2 to track 2, input 3 to track 3, and so on. This is rarely available with the first option (mixer with built-in interface).

Therefore, I would strongly advise against purchasing a mixer with a built-in interface, and instead, a "real" audio interface, such as those made by Focusrite, Tascam, UA, etc. Do your research well, and make sure you are purchasing something where you can record input 1 on track 1, input 2 on track 2, etc.

Sorry for all the bold/underlined/emphasized text - makes me look like a teacher who says "YOU WILL LOSE 5 POINTS IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS" lol - I just want to make this very clear, in case you were unaware of this. You explicitly mentioned in your post about needing to record individual inputs on individual tracks (at least that's what I took "4 tracks at a time" to mean), so hopefully this helps!!

 

[MajorFubar]

I have been using a Motu M4 for three years now. I have been extremely happy with it. The quality of its ADCs and DACs outperform those of similarly-priced competitors such as the ubiquitous Focusrite, and it has level meters on in the front rather than an almost-useless tricolour LED. It may or may not meet your needs because while inputs 1 and 2 are combo jacks on the front with individually-switchable 48V and separate level controls, inputs 3 and 4 are TS jacks on the rear not combo jacks, with a combined input control (on the front) and no option of 48V. You need to buy the M6 to get all that functionality on four inputs.

The M4 and M6 are USB C powered and come with a lead which will plug directly into your Mini without adaptors or dongles.

EDIT Oh btw this may not be important for you although it was for me: the M4 and M6 have audio-passthrough to feed whatever audio the interface is playing on output channels 1-4 back into four virtual input channels, which on my M4 are input channels 5-8.

 

[bassjunky]

I personally wouldn't recommend Behringer. They're a horrible company, for one, and two, I don't think their interfaces or any of their products are particularly good-quality. But that's just me. On the other hand, Focusrite makes great interfaces. They're expensive, but well worth it. Tascam makes some good interfaces, too, but I don't have any first-hand experience with them.

I looked briefly at the Behringer Flow 8, and it looks more to be a mixer than an audio interface. A mixer and an interface are two very different things. A mixer is intended for use in live settings. Some mixers, like the Behringer, have interfaces built-in. However, a mixer with a built-in interface usually will only let you record the stereo output. In other words, you cannot record the channels to individual tracks in a Digital Audio Workstation. Unless I missed something (which I may have - so do thorough research!), the Behringer does not have this capability.

To put this in perspective, here is an example of this key difference:

Scenario #1 - Using a Mixer with Built-in Interface: You connect your instruments to the four channels, plug the mixer's USB output into your computer, and open up your DAW (Logic in your case, sounds like). The drawback to this is that in the list of available inputs, you will almost certainly have ONLY THE STEREO OUTPUT as an option. This is not optimal, because you cannot record inputs to individual tracks (see below).

Scenario #2 - Using a "Proper" Audio Interface (i.e., Focusrite, Tascam, Universal Audio): Here, you connect your instruments to the channels, plug in the interface to your computer, and open Logic, just as before. But, crucially, you can assign Input 1 to track 1, input 2 to track 2, input 3 to track 3, and so on. This is rarely available with the first option (mixer with built-in interface).

Therefore, I would strongly advise against purchasing a mixer with a built-in interface, and instead, a "real" audio interface, such as those made by Focusrite, Tascam, UA, etc. Do your research well, and make sure you are purchasing something where you can record input 1 on track 1, input 2 on track 2, etc.

Sorry for all the bold/underlined/emphasized text - makes me look like a teacher who says "YOU WILL LOSE 5 POINTS IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS" lol - I just want to make this very clear, in case you were unaware of this. You explicitly mentioned in your post about needing to record individual inputs on individual tracks (at least that's what I took "4 tracks at a time" to mean), so hopefully this helps!!

I appreciates all the knowledge. The Flow 8 is an actual 8 input into any DAW, which for its price, is super tempting.
I recently upgraded from a 2011 27” iMac to a M4 mini. Hell of an upgrade, but now I need to buy a new audio interface for music production.

I have a really nice Lexicon FW 800 interface that worked great for years in Logic, but it being so old, it’s not worth the money in adapters just to get it to work with the new mini, if it even would work. I’m thinking about the Behringer Flow 8, a little 8 input mixer than can be used stand-alone or an 8-input audio interface for a DAW.

I would like to record at least 4 tracks at a time into Logic. I like that it is not completely dependent on software as some other interfaces. This Behringer fits the bill, up to 8 tracks for only $200. Anyone use one, or have any opinions on other audio interfaces you are using?

I recently upgraded from a 2011 27” iMac to a M4 mini. Hell of an upgrade, but now I need to buy a new audio interface for music production.

I have a really nice old Lexicon FW 800 interface that worked great for years in Logic, but it being so old, it’s not worth the money in adapters just to get it to work with the new mini, if it even would wor

I’m thinking about the Behringer Flow 8, a little 8 input mixer than can be used stand-alone or an 8-input audio interface for a DAW.

I would like to record at least 4 tracks at a time into Logic. I like that the Flow 8 is not completely dependent on software as some other interfaces. I think this Behringer may fit the bill, up to 8 tracks for only $200. Anyone use one, or have any opinions on other audio interfaces you are using?

Sorry, I have no idea what I did and can’t seem to edit this on my iPad.

 

[bassjunky]

I understand some mixers will only give you a stereo output over USB, but the Flow 8 does actually send all 8 channels to any DAW. I’ve never heard Behringer being a bad company, but cannot vouch for their build quality since I have never used any Behringer equipment (at least I don’t think I have).

I do like the Focusrites, UA, MOTU options, they just get pretty expensive. But I do know you get what you pay for.

 

[Boyd01]

After going through a few inexpensive interfaces, I got a Zoom f8 Field Recorder in 2018. It can be used as an 8 track USB interface, but I use it mainly with SD cards as a recorder. There's something nice about having a dedicated device without the need to mess with software and computers.

This was a little family "concert" that we do every few years. Battery power supply on the left, my 6th generation iPad in a rugged case on the right running zoom's control surface app. The Zoom is sitting on top of a little effects processor for live reverb through monitor speakers. Afterwards, I copy the memory cards to my Mac, do some editing in Logic and import into Final Cut Pro to sync with the video.

They have replaced the F8 with a new model, so you maybe there are some deals on used ones?

 

[BrianBaughn]

For interfaces, Julian Krause has done the work on YouTube for reviews and measurements.

Julian Krause

Hey, I'm Julian Krause and on this channel you can find in-depth audio equipment reviews and tutorials.

www.youtube.com

 

[MajorFubar]

I do like the Focusrites, UA, MOTU options, they just get pretty expensive. But I do know you get what you pay for.

The problem is you're wanting an 8-channel audio interface, and good ones aren't cheap and cheap ones aren't good.

@Boyd01 has suggested a good alternative but even that's £850 in my country and probably equivalent elsewhere.

I have no personal experience of the Behringer Flow 8, and while I am absolutely not invested in casting shade on it, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that if competitors can only offer high-quality 2 channel interfaces for $200 then how can Behringer offer something of equal performance with 8 inputs + faders + DSP effects, for the same price? The answer is they can't: something must be compromised (comparatively), likely the ADCs.

But...the one thing none of us can answer is what quality you will find acceptible as a minimum. Maybe you could buy the Flow 8 from Amazon and make use of Amazon's quibble-free return-policy if it doesn't meet your requirements?

EDIT: I've tried Googling your Lexicon FW800 to gain an understanding of where it once sat in the food-chain, but the only thing that matches is actually this thread, strangely enough. However I would imagine when it was new it wasn't cheap either.

 

[Fishrrman]

If what you have now works for you, and you understand it well...

... I'd spend the $$$ for the two adapters you need:
- tb2 to firewire 800 adapter (Apple discontinued these, look on eBay, there has been some price gouging, but keep looking and you'll find one for a reasonable price)
- tb2 to tb3 adapter (can still be found at reasonable prices).

Another alternative:
OWC made a thunderbolt3 (I think?) dock with a firewire 800 port built-in.
They can still be found used on ebay at decent prices.
Only question: do they still work with Sequoia? (might have to ask at OWC)

If I was going to buy a new interface today, I'd get a Steinberg tbolt.

Actually, I'm retired from recording, wish I could find a buyer for my Echo Audiofire 8 (FW400). Very nice, even today.

 

[penelope_bk]

The Behringer Flow 8 seems like a solid pick if you want something cheap with lots of inputs. It works well both live and as an interface for Logic. If you're okay with not relying too much on software and need to record multiple tracks at once, it should do the job. You might also want to look into the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 for better reliability, though it’s a bit more expensive.

 

[Boyd01]

FWIW, a very quick google search for used Zoom F8's found one for $650 at Sweetwater, $720 at Reverb and $775 at Guitar Center here in the US. Mine was actually a demo unit from Sweetwater and was the best price I could find at the time.

 

[Papanate]

I recently upgraded from a 2011 27” iMac to a M4 mini. Hell of an upgrade, but now I need to buy a new audio interface for music production.

I have a really nice Lexicon FW 800 interface that worked great for years in Logic, but it being so old, it’s not worth the money in adapters just to get it to work with the new mini, if it even would work. I’m thinking about the Behringer Flow 8, a little 8 input mixer than can be used stand-alone or an 8-input audio interface for a DAW.

I would like to record at least 4 tracks at a time into Logic. I like that it is not completely dependent on software as some other interfaces. This Behringer fits the bill, up to 8 tracks for only $200. Anyone use one, or have any opinions on other audio interfaces you are using?

Well you can buy 2 channel interfaces and aggregate them - keep building till you have want you want - the Behringer product is not bad - you may not even notice anything - Focusrite and MOTU and Appogee also have interfaces that will excel at what you want.

 

[bassjunky]

The problem is you're wanting an 8-channel audio interface, and good ones aren't cheap and cheap ones aren't good.

@Boyd01 has suggested a good alternative but even that's £850 in my country and probably equivalent elsewhere.

I have no personal experience of the Behringer Flow 8, and while I am absolutely not invested in casting shade on it, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that if competitors can only offer high-quality 2 channel interfaces for $200 then how can Behringer offer something of equal performance with 8 inputs + faders + DSP effects, for the same price? The answer is they can't: something must be compromised (comparatively), likely the ADCs.

But...the one thing none of us can answer is what quality you will find acceptible as a minimum. Maybe you could buy the Flow 8 from Amazon and make use of Amazon's quibble-free return-policy if it doesn't meet your requirements?

EDIT: I've tried Googling your Lexicon FW800 to gain an understanding of where it once sat in the food-chain, but the only thing that matches is actually this thread, strangely enough. However I would imagine when it was new it wasn't cheap either.

You are quite correct, I am curious how they could pack that much functionality in a pretty cheap package. I know you get what you pay for. I will probably try it anyways through Amazon; if it sucks I will send it back. I will also report back.

Yeah, the Lexicon FW810s I have was quite expensive back in the day. Fortunately I got it for free from a buddy 6-7 years ago. That’s where I get tripped up, spend $150 for adapters (the Apple TB->FW adapter is no longer available from Apple, and ridiculously priced on Ebay), and hope the old Lexicon software works on Sequoia (I’m not a big fan of their software mixing interface, but it works), but has great DACs and ADCs.

 

[bassjunky]

If what you have now works for you, and you understand it well...

... I'd spend the $$$ for the two adapters you need:
- tb2 to firewire 800 adapter (Apple discontinued these, look on eBay, there has been some price gouging, but keep looking and you'll find one for a reasonable price)
- tb2 to tb3 adapter (can still be found at reasonable prices).

Another alternative:
OWC made a thunderbolt3 (I think?) dock with a firewire 800 port built-in.
They can still be found used on ebay at decent prices.
Only question: do they still work with Sequoia? (might have to ask at OWC)

If I was going to buy a new interface today, I'd get a Steinberg tbolt.

Actually, I'm retired from recording, wish I could find a buyer for my Echo Audiofire 8 (FW400). Very nice, even today.

Thanks, yeah, those Apple TB->FW800 adapters are hard to find, and when you do, the prices are jacked up. That’s my struggle, keep my old interface working through adapters or getting something new.

 

[MajorFubar]

You are quite correct, I am curious how they could pack that much functionality in a pretty cheap package. I know you get what you pay for. I will probably try it anyways through Amazon; if it sucks I will send it back. I will also report back.

Yeah, the Lexicon FW810s I have was quite expensive back in the day. Fortunately I got it for free from a buddy 6-7 years ago. That’s where I get tripped up, spend $150 for adapters (the Apple TB->FW adapter is no longer available from Apple, and ridiculously priced on Ebay), and hope the old Lexicon software works on Sequoia (I’m not a big fan of their software mixing interface, but it works), but has great DACs and ADCs.

Again I think the best thing you can do is just buy the Flow 8 which you've already considered, then test it, and either keep it, or, if its quality (or other considerations) doesn't meet your requirements, return it, and be prepared to budget a little higher.

 

[txa1265]

I personally wouldn't recommend Behringer. They're a horrible company, for one, and two, I don't think their interfaces or any of their products are particularly good-quality.

Totally agree. It is sad that people are so willing to abandon ethics and morals for a cheap mediocre product through pure rationalization. What you say isn't new - a quick search finds basically the same thing stated thousands of times over the last ~15 years. Areas highlighted include:
- Lousy business ethics - people love to muddy the water in a variety of ways, but ultimately the company was founded by intellectual property theft. Just because others also do it ... does not make it OK.
- Mediocre build quality & components. Their stuff is cheaper not because others overcharge, but because Behringer has poor business ethics (see above) which lets them use substandard components and build in places with known human rights issues.
- Mediocre products - yes, every business wants to sell stuff and make money ... but Behringer is basically a company founded on the goal of exploiting nostalgia for maximum gain with 'just similar enough' products. If something they make is decent, you can be sure it is a 'circuit board exact' copy, otherwise expect mediocrity.
- Lousy support. They have your money ... now they don't care. Goes along with the theme of terrible business ethics.

Suffice to say I am not buying from them ... and recommend you give your money to a company whose ethics you agree with.

Cheap products often come at a very high price in many other ways.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Behringer is just a single company now owned by the Chinese "Music Tribe" company. It started a long, long time ago in Germany but that version of things is long gone.

Music Tribe - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I had a small mixer of theirs about 20 years ago and it developed noisy potentiometers within two or three years…not to mention that the preamps were terrible sounding. I didn't really know anything about the company but I swore off their stuff after that. You won't see an issue like that in a one month testing time period.

I think the preamps are probably the most important thing on these interfaces assuming that nothing on a particular unit is going to fail.

 

[txa1265]

Behringer is just a single company now owned by the Chinese "Music Tribe" company. It started a long, long time ago in Germany but that version of things is long gone.

Thanks for the update/correction ... I wrote them off years ago so it is my own fault for not staying up to date. I still consider the name poison and will avoid it. When I can choose MOTU or FocusRite, why not?

 

[Avatar74]

Using a Focusrite 18i20 24/192 interface with an SSL UF-8 control surface. Mics 1 & 2 loop through dbx 286S dynamics processors but I've set it up to record both the dry signal on 1 & 2, and wet on 3 & 4. The rest of the channels are connect to instruments using a makeshift XLR snake but I'll probably replace it with a Mogami or ProCo snake.

Count me in the "Behringer is absolute garbage" crowd... I've never used anything of theirs that didn't have some quality control problem either due to cheap parts or crap soldering, or both. You don't save time or money having to buy extra tools and/or spend hours cleaning up garbage signal.

 

[StoneJack]

I recently upgraded from a 2011 27” iMac to a M4 mini. Hell of an upgrade, but now I need to buy a new audio interface for music production.

I have a really nice Lexicon FW 800 interface that worked great for years in Logic, but it being so old, it’s not worth the money in adapters just to get it to work with the new mini, if it even would work. I’m thinking about the Behringer Flow 8, a little 8 input mixer than can be used stand-alone or an 8-input audio interface for a DAW.

I would like to record at least 4 tracks at a time into Logic. I like that it is not completely dependent on software as some other interfaces. This Behringer fits the bill, up to 8 tracks for only $200. Anyone use one, or have any opinions on other audio interfaces you are using?

1. on desktop I use Scarlett Solo. This thing is just great for connecting a guitar, mike, headphones and speakers. it is USB.
2. On Macbook I use iRig-USBC. This is simple and very well working interface for guitar which also has headphone output and USB-C connection for Mac or iPad.

 

[bassjunky]

I appreciate everyone’s input. I’m still on the hunt. My goal is to create a very small studio in a Snarky Puppy way Everyone plugged in, no amps needed. I have a decent headphone DA, keeping it sorta simple!

 

[Big Bad D]

Long time Focusrite Scarlett Solo used for small projects. And more recently Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th gen for home studio set up.

 

[bassjunky]

I appreciate everyone's input. Researching and finding the right equipment is half the fun. Now I'm looking at a Tascam Model 12, anyone have any experience? It seems a bit niche but probably up my alley. Also a desk but can be used as a multi-channel audio interface.

For whatever reason, I like interfaces that resemble mixers and desks. I bought a Roland 1680 in 1998 and recorded so much with that for years. Still works! I would be using it if it offered PC multitrack capability.

 

[ChromeCrescendo]

RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE

Wonderful unit with tons of options (although, you will need an external preamp)

 

[Varmann]

Topping E2X2. I wanted something small, decent quality, usb-powered, with the amount of ports and control knobs I want. Nothing fancy extra.