It seems I’ve fried my audio interface. I presume I plugged in with the PC running, or maybe crookedly. I have a theory that maybe the signal was too hot as I wanted to run something from my amp. However, I’m pretty sure I’ve done that before.
I’ve contacted the retailer and plan to buy a new DI. The M-Audio Solo that I have was a bit on the quiet side through the headphones and didn’t have great output options (cinch). My passive bass was also set at 4.5/10 gain, so that it wouldn’t clip. It was cheap at ca. 45€. What would be a reasonably priced upgrade in your opinion?
The two best in the lower price tier are probably the Solid State Logic SSL2/SSL2+ and the MOTU M2/M4. If you don’t care quite as much about mic preamp quality you could go with a Focusrite Scarlett, very common and a solid choice.
I do not have any experience with the M-Audio interface products but do have a Behringer interface.
No problems at all with it but after 6-7 years I decided to replace it and with all the hype about the Scarlett 2i2 decided to give it a try.
I do not see any difference between the Behringer and Scarlett interfaces for what I am using it for, other than the Scarlett being more expensive. YMMV
Here is a link to the Scarlett Interface I purchased.
Focusrite Scarlett is probably the one to get. I have the 4i4 and it’s quite awesome. Focusrite also has a factory outlet store with pretty aggressive discount on the B-stock that comes with warranty
I’d also would recommend the IK AXE I/O one. I got one for my daughter and it’s pretty easy to use.
My top choices would be the MOTU M series or the Arturia Minifuse; the Focusrite Scarlet is always solid but it’s lacking some features the others have. I’m a big Arturia fan but the M2 has a nicer input level meter which is really handy. One of the things that’s nice to have that not all of them include is a monitor/mix knob.
Thanks for the suggestions, seems like I now have a couple of clear options to pick from. Much appreciated!
When I said my headphones were too quiet, I meant that the M-Audio is both overall relatively quiet and the bass/monitor(?) is really too low - I have to turn down mp3 tracks to <5% so I can hear myself. And there is a general output dial, but no mix. If I got this right, I can’t turn up the gain either (clipping), right?
Cheers and have a good Tuesday, I’m off to work now.
I got an IK Multimedia Axe I/O Solo with bundled Amplitube 5 from Sweetwater. They have a demo listed now for $315 - $15 more than the interface alone. I got the bundle for $229, so great deal. I liked the Axe I/O Solo better than the Teac I had been using and no problems since.
Yeah I think the problem is the driver. Behringer, don’t seem to care about supporting older models by writing new ASIO drivers, so the advice is to install ASIO4ALL. Unfortunately I’m not getting any joy from it - the monitor is working but neither Reaper nor Audacity can ‘hear’ the output from the interface.
- the monitor is working but neither Reaper nor Audacity can ‘hear’ the output from the interface.