Buying a USB Audio Interface? Hear This First

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their frustrating journey through the world of audio interfaces, from dealing with broken gear to navigating the pitfalls of various products. After testing multiple options, they land on the SSL2+ interface, praising its design and usability, particularly its dual headphone jacks and thoughtful layout. Despite acknowledging the superior preamps of other models like Tascam, the speaker emphasizes the importance of usability and comfort in choosing audio gear. The video offers a mix of humor, tech insights, and personal experience to help viewers make informed decisions on audio equipment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker experienced significant frustration with USB audio interfaces, facing issues with drivers, sound quality, and microphone compatibility.
• 😀 Audio interfaces are crucial for professional audio setups, allowing for connections to high-quality speakers and microphones.
• 😀 The speaker initially bought an Audient ID 14, praised for its high-quality preamps, but it failed after five years, leading to the search for a new interface.
• 😀 The speaker tried several audio interfaces, including the M-Audio Air 192.6, Tascam US-2x2 HR, and SSL2+, each with its own strengths and drawbacks.
• 😀 The M-Audio Air 192.6 was disliked due to poor headphone amp performance, hissing, and microphone recognition issues.
• 😀 The Tascam US-2x2 HR interface was easy to set up but had a poorly designed volume knob that was difficult to use.
• 😀 The Tascam also had issues with phantom power affecting two different microphones, requiring constant adjustments.
• 😀 The SSL2+ audio interface was praised for its design, including its usability with two headphone jacks, ideal for switching between different headphones.
• 😀 The SSL2+ also had excellent preamps, but the speaker was concerned that it didn't sound as good as the Tascam’s preamps, despite being more user-friendly.
• 😀 The speaker recommended considering preamp quality and ease of use when choosing an audio interface, with specific attention to annoying design elements like knobs and phantom power handling.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker faced with audio interfaces?

The speaker encountered various issues with audio interfaces, including malfunctioning drivers, poor sound quality, and equipment that stopped working altogether. The main challenge was finding a reliable replacement that met their needs.

What is an audio interface, according to the speaker?

An audio interface is a device that connects to a computer via USB and allows users to plug in high-quality speakers, XLR microphones, and control the volume. It's essential for professional audio setups.

Why did the speaker decide against using the Focusrite Scarlett?

The speaker felt that while the Focusrite Scarlett was popular and easy to use, it lacked the best preamps and wasn't of the same quality as other higher-end options they researched in 2018.

What were the problems with the M Audio interface the speaker tried?

The M Audio interface had issues with its headphone jack, which produced a hissy and clicky sound, and it failed to recognize the microphone even though it was plugged in correctly.

What was the issue with the Tascam interface's design?

The Tascam interface had a very small volume knob that was difficult to operate, causing discomfort for the speaker. Additionally, it had issues with phantom power, where it connected both mics at the same time, which caused problems with dynamic mics that don’t need phantom power.

How did the SSL2+ interface improve the speaker's experience?

The SSL2+ interface provided a more user-friendly design, including a large, easy-to-turn volume knob, two headphone jacks for convenience, and better overall usability. It also allowed the speaker to use both microphones simultaneously without issues with phantom power.

What is the significance of the '4K button' on the SSL2+ interface?

The 4K button on the SSL2+ is a gimmick designed to boost high frequencies and is intended for instruments, not voice recordings. The speaker doesn't find it useful and suggests turning it off.

What are the speaker's thoughts on the preamp quality of different interfaces?

The speaker values preamp quality highly and believes the SSL2+ has the best preamps in the audio interface market, providing excellent sound clarity with low clipping, especially for voice recordings.

Why did the speaker consider returning the Tascam interface despite its good sound quality?

Although the Tascam interface had great sound quality, its design flaws, including the tiny volume knob and difficulties with phantom power, made it impractical for the speaker, leading to a decision to return it.

What advice does the speaker offer to those looking for a new audio interface?

The speaker advises potential buyers to consider both the preamp quality and the usability of the interface, highlighting small design details that can make a big difference in user experience. They recommend checking reviews from trusted sources like James Krauss for detailed insights.