Suggetions For An Audio Interface For Mac

Looking for something to use with a Mac. Budget of up to £350 to use with Maschine. Audio Interface suggestions. Discussion in 'MASCHINE Area' started by SCARYMAN. Such as exhale in Kontakt or Polyplex in Reaktor that my 4-year old m-audio driver handles fine. So I'm going to try the RME Babyface instead.

• Suggestions For An Audio Interface For Mac Windows 10
• Suggetions For An Audio Interface For Mac Garageband
• Suggetions For An Audio Interface For Mac Sierra

So you’re looking to solidify your studio with the best audio interface? To us, this is one of the most important parts of making music and we consider it to be the star on top of the Christmas tree. Without an audio interface, you simply can’t record optimally. Your gear is essentially missing half of its power and capabilities without one of these in your studio. The best audio interfaces help us with sound quality, phantom power and amplification, more overall control of our gear, organization of all of our inputs outputs into one device, and lastly make the pesky concept of latency disappear. Today we highlight our top 10 audio interface picks available in the market and give you some info to help ease your shopping adventures. What is an audio interface?

An audio interface is a device which connects your various to your computer (, etc). Some have even called them “external sound cards” since the components built into computers can’t make the cut (for good reason — they’re typically too expensive or aren’t big enough). In terms of capabilities (and it really depends on which model you go with), they can provide phantom power to amplify your microphones, hook up any instrument or controller you’ve got via MIDI in out, and use XLR ports for microphones. Audio interfaces convert the analog information into digital signals for your or to recognize and lay down into your songs. Ultimately, it helps get you that studio-quality sound that helps separate you from the newbies. Relying on consumer-grade sound cards in your PC or Mac isn’t ideal as it often gives us interference and delays in sounds — and to their credit, merely can’t fit powerful interfaces inside their computers. Audio interfaces are the standard sound card for any type of studio. Once I hooked up my audio interface to my setup, the headache immediately went away because I was not only more organized (rid a lot of cable clutter) but was able to record in a quicker, versatile and realistic manner.

When, my workload decreased, my songs sounded better and my overall creativity shot through the roof since my process was more efficient. Lastly and most importantly, the quality of my recording tracks increased dramatically – microphones were more clear, guitars crisp, and the overall sound I heard was better for mixing and mastering later on in my DAW. How to choose your audio interface When it comes to the best audio interface, it really depends on a few factors. We’d love to give you a straight answer, but it is too dependent on a lot of elements you must take into consideration when shopping for the device. It depends on what you need. What is your budget?

Most of these are relatively affordable, but you can always go higher for some powerful features. We’ve seen audio interfaces go within price ranges from $30 to $2,000.

We tried to grab a few from each price-point to give you options in your search. What type of connectivity? You can either go the more popular USB route, FireWire or even advanced Thunderbolt. The more advanced you go away from USB, typically the more money you’ll have to drop; however, it may be worth the investment if you have the cash. How many inputs and outputs will you need?

This is something to really take into consideration not only for now but the future as well. A lot of musicians who record multiple instruments at once such as with a band need numerous inputs and outputs to handle all of the equipment.

Of course in my position, i’m a one-man band, so i’m fine with fewer ins since I record everything separately. Do you need a few microphone inputs? Additional USB ports?

MIDI connectivity? Try to look at the gear around you and plan what you envision hooking up to your audio interface. If you do plan on buying more gear in the future, buy an interface you can foresee needing a few extra connections for your future studio.

Is there a software bundle you need? Some of these come with, effects, and even digital audio workstations. Is that important to you? For some more info, check out the article by Sound On Sound magazine.

Our picks for top 10 best audio interfaces The following is our list of top 10 best audio interfaces for both Mac and PC. Do some sifting through as we provide the retail price for your budget, the compatibility in terms of connectivity, how many inputs and outputs, as well as overall features for comparing. We tried to cover all ranges, all connectivity as well as I/O options. Let us know which one you ended up going with/already have! Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Compatible with: Mac, PC, all hardware. Check prices and reviews of the Scarlett 2i2:.

USB connectivity. A/D resolution: 24-bit/96kHz. Inputs: Two XLR/TRS combo. Direct monitor control on front panel (switch between headphones and speakers easily).

Comes with Ableton Live Lite and Scarlett bundle (processors, effects) This is in our opinion one of the best audio interfaces out there by a mile. This interface by Focusrite is best for home and semi-pro studios (I have two friends who make music full-time that use this). The Scarlet 2i2 gives us a great quality microphone pre-amp, a very rugged build for stability as well as portability, and quite a few selections for ins and outs. The ‘2i2’ name basically means that it has two inputs and two outputs, as well as two pre-amps built-in (their other models you’ll see have similar names which relate to the connectivity options). Highly talked about this is the amp quality, compared to mechanisms found in a lot of condenser and ribbon mics and more expensive interfaces.

It’s ultimately just a simple interface for a great cost — one of the most popular choices out there if you read the user reviews. Another huge plus with this one is that it comes with, a very popular digital audio workstation among music heads.

This is especially perfect if you’re looking for some software to start recording with or merely want to make the change over to one of the most popular pieces of software today — Ableton coming along with the package makes this a must. USB powered here, although it doesn’t have any MID ins or outs which bums me out but there are ways around that.

The is the best audio interface we’ve recommended to our readers numerous times for a reason — just make sure that it will cover your future needs in terms of connectivity if you plan on expanding later. You can also check out the which is a step up (has some MIDI ins outs and FireWire connectivity) but costs a bit more.

There’s also a ton of other Scarlett models that pertain to ins and outs as stated previously — for only a few more bucks check out their (comes with a mic, headphones, and the interface and it made first in our guide). Universal Audio Apollo Twin Compatible with: Mac only. Check prices and reviews of the Apollo Twin:. 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion. Headphone and guitar input on front. Preamp/monitor switches. Dedicated master volume knob.

2 XLR/TSR mic ins. Realtime UAD Processing. Comes with plug-in bundle (analog classics).

Two mic/line pre-amps. Thunderbolt connection Up next, we have a mac only interface and this thing is extremely powerful. It’s a 2 x 6 thunderbolt connection and the audio conversion is quite telling at 24-bit/192 kHz for some of the clearest, zero-latency sound possible right now. It’s got real-time UAD processing so the tracking with compressors, EQ’s, and amps for various instruments is the real deal. It’s only compatible with Mac but it’s one of the best out there — brings us quality builds that’ll last you a very long time, so this is an investment. Here’s a cool. You’ll need a thunderbolt cable for this, but it’s worth it if you’re going the full 9 — you won’t be let down by the if you have the cash.

It’s one of the best, pretty famous and will be for quite some time. Mackie Onyx Blackjack Compatible with: Mac and PC. Check prices and reviews of the Onyx Blackjack:. Two Onyx mic pre-amps. Amps go up to 60 dB. High-headroom design.

USB powered. Separate studio monitor/headphone outputs. Comes with is more tailored to DJ’s, but this audio interface is very solid for the price, giving us two high-quality Onyx mic pre-amps that are very powerful. Gives us some distortion protection due to its high-headroom design. Great zero-latency recording but what stands out to us is the amp gain control: great for electric guitars and dynamic microphones. You can crank each line in (1 and 2) up to 60 dB, turn up the phantom power to max on the monitor or phones, as well as have even more controls on the front.

Standard ins and outs with two XLR and TSR. A step up from a lot of audio interfaces due to its high-quality amps. One of the best audio interfaces in the lower price-point in our opinion. We recommend the for those who need powerful amplification at an affordable price. M-Audio M-Track Plus Compatible with: Mac and PC. Check prices and reviews of the M-Track Plus:.

24-bit / 48 kHz digital audio processor. Very little latency when monitoring.

Solid aluminum build. 2 XLR inputs, 2 balanced 1/4″, MIDI in and out. Selectable phantom power. Headphone out on front. Comes with Pro Tools and Ignite by AIR Here’s another one of the best audio interfaces for the money. This is a very solid model in terms of build and overall supply of necessary ins and outs, as usually brings to the table. It’s USB powered and offers great phantom power for microphones and guitars, has insert jacks on each channel, and lastly comes with.

If you’re looking for a good software combo this is great, otherwise it’s still a solid audio interface as it offers us the essentials: 2 XLR, 2 TSR and MIDI ins/outswhat else do you need? Unless you’re using and recording multiple instruments at a time, anything else is rather unnecessary. The is a solid audio interface for those looking for only a few ins and outs and some clear audio quality on top of it all. It’s pretty affordable and rivals the Scarlett model we previously recommended in terms of price. Also check out our review of their for a step up if you have a few more bucks to spare. PreSonus AudioBox Compatible with: PC and Mac. Check prices and reviews of the Audiobox:.

Rugged steel build. Combo XLR mic/balanced 1/4″ input. 48 volts of phantom power. 24-bit resolution and 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz sampling rate. MIDI in out.

USB 2.0 port. Comes with Studio One software Another 2 x 2 to check out here, and this one is a more simple and budget-friendly audio interface than many others. Has a very positive reputation around the equipment world and the AudioBox is a favorite interface among many. You get two very high quality pre-amps built-in, a nice small steel build, as well as two MIDI int/outs on the front. The back has your TSR ins, a USB port for power and connectivity as well as a left and right stereo inputs. Lastly, a headphone jack (on the back) although I usually like these on the front, but oh well. As it’s more budget-friendly, it isn’t recommended for those with instruments that need more than around 35 decibel of gain or headphones above 100 in impedance.

Keep this in mind as the power is great for a lower price-point audio interface but it isn’t jam-packed either. This is great for those on a budget and need the standard capabilities of an interface, and even though it doesn’t have any fancy digital conversion (like the Apollo Twin), you’re getting what you pay for. The is considered to be another one of the best audio interface picks if you wanted a simple solution and also need some software alongside your setup (it comes with their Studio One digital audio workstation which isn’t necessarily a heavy-hitter in the software community, but can get the job done if you need something simple and don’t have a DAW yet). Check out our reviews on their latest models, the and if you’re looking for some different alternatives. Apogee ONE Compatible with: Mac only (and iPad). Check prices and reviews of the ONE:. A/D and D/A conversion: 44.1/48 kHz 24-bit.

Single input channel. Internal condenser microphone. XLR microphone pre-amp. Encoder knob (gain control, output level control). included brings us one of the best audio interfaces for Mac. It’s rather simplistic in terms of connectivity, but the reason it’s at such a high cost is because of the amp.

It goes up to 63 dB which is pretty high for its size. Another plus is the 48 volt phantom power but it also has a built-in condenser microphone if you think you’ll be using it for that. You can merely mount it and use it as a mic while having an audio interface at hand at the same time. It doesn’t have any MIDI ins or outs or even XLR ports but it does give us a 1/8″ for headphones. What most people do is use a converter cable which can be plugged in to an external microphone, MIDI keyboard or controller, etc. Check this one out as it gives us a bit of a different spin to audio interfaces.

Don’t let the small size of the make you assume it isn’t powerful — it’ll up the quality of your music like no other (if you’re on Mac, that is). Although it’s two times the price, also check out the for some power if you’ve got the dough. We review their new as well, which is a new interface out that’s been paired up by both companies for a new spin on the interface.

Avid MBox + Pro Tools Express Compatible with: Mainly built for Mac, but can with Windows 10. Check prices and reviews of the Mbox:. Two XLR mic/line combo inputs. Two 1/4″ DI inputs. Stereo S/P/DIF digital in and out.

MIDI in and out (1×1). Monitor control. Dedicated volume knob. Built-in guitar tuner. Comes with Pro Tools Express If you want Pro Tools and one of the biggest industry standards out there, we recommend going with this. ‘s bundle is a bit more expensive than the budget-friendly audio interfaces we’ve listed thus far but it’s very worth your money if you’re interested in investing in a DAW software that many call it the best — the golden Pro Tools (Express is not the full version, keep in mind). The Mbox is a very solid interface not just because it is Pro Tools’ sidekick — it comes with 4 x 4 channels of ins and outs (two XLR mic/line combos, two 1/4″ inputs and outputs, as well as a headphone out and MIDI ins/outs).

You have phantom power of the standard 48 volts for your condenser microphone, has a nice soft-clip limiter and if you play the guitar, it’s got a built-in tuner with some on-board effects. A nice package if you’re looking for a big punch. The is great for semi-pro and even some professional studios.

Lexicon Alpha Compatible with: Mac and PC. Check prices and reviews of the Alpha:. 44.1kHz to 48kHz sample rates. Record up to two tracks at once. Inputs: One (1) XLR, Two (2) TRS, One (1) Hi-Z. Two TRS & RCA outs. USB powered.

Headphone output on back. Low-noise mic pre-amp. Comes with Cuba LE4 and their Pantheon reverb VST Sleek and stable.

This interface by has a lot of positive reviews and for good reason. At a super low retail price, it’s got one XLR mic, two TRS and one Hi-Z input. The only thing we’re missing here is the lack of phantom power as well as MIDI in and out, but if you don’t need these the price of this is a steal, especially for the audio quality for under $100.

What’s highlighted with this is the low latency giving you no delays with recording, pretty much the benchmark of an interface so if that wasn’t possible we wouldn’t even list it here. This is basically a solid audio interface for recording instruments that don’t need phantom power as well as hooking up some studio monitors to your rig. The is perfect if you’re OK with switching cables to different equipment when recording, such as between a guitar and a keyboard. There is also some pretty decent software included as well with Cubase LE 4 and their Lexicon Pantheon VST reverb plug-in.

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 Compatible with: Windows and Mac. Check prices and reviews of Komplete:. 24-bit/96 kHz processor. MIDI in and out.

2 balanced mic/line/instrument XLR. 2 balanced line 1/4″ TRS. 4 balanced analog outputs 1/4″ TRS. Two mic inputs headphone output. 48 volts of phantom power. Direct monitoring with mono input switch. LED status lights.

USB powered We’re huge fans of, and this is a competitor to the Avid bundle we’ve listed previously. They were a top pick in our for a reason. The Komplete Audio package here is very powerful, not only due to the solid build that will help with longevity but because of the software that it comes with — LE 6 (a solid DAW), Traktor LE 2 and, giving you over 1k VST’s and effects. As far as connectivity goes, you’ve got some decent plugs — 2 balanced XLR’s, 2 balanced 1/4″ TRS, four balanced outputs, a MIDI in/out, and it’s USB powered for hassle-free hook ups with a dedicated volume knob up to for convenience. This is an all around great package to look at if you’ve got the dough, especially if you’re looking to add some instruments and effects to your arsenal as well. The sound quality is very clear and reliable in terms of latency reduction.

Suggestions For An Audio Interface For Mac Windows 10

The is little cheaper than Avid’s bundle but you get Cubase instead of Pro Tools. Behringer UCA202 Compatible with: Mac and PC. Check prices and reviews of the UCA202:. High-resolution 48 kHz conversion.

No drivers necessary — USB powered and connectivity. Stereo headphone output. Free editing software (nothing crazy) – KRISTAL Audio Engine and gives us the definition of a budget audio interface here. This is straight to the point and it’s powered via USB with no external power supply needed, great for portability. The resolution goes up to 48 kHz so in terms of conversion it is solid for the price.

There’s just no XLR or TRS inputs here, so connecting a microphone might get tough — standard RCA ins (which can be converted with proper cables) while giving us a headphone jack and volume control. It also comes with a bundle of free software worth checking out. I’d recommend grabbing this you’re on the go and need a simple digital converter, otherwise continue reading on.

The is a great model for those who want only the essentials at a very affordable price. We’d consider it the best cheap and budget-friendly audio interface in the market today.

The mio is a USB Class Compliant (plug and play) bus powered MIDI interface. It is a low latency and affordable option for the basic single device MIDI connections. The makers boast of it's 'Indestructible' Class Compliant drivers that are 'engineered to today's strict guidelines to ensure compatibility for years to come'. They also mention that it's been engineered 'properly' to avoid the device introducing electrical noise into your system although this does seem like a rare occurrence for MIDI interfaces in general.

There's a free companion controller app called 'iConfig' available for Windows, Mac and iOS that allows you to route and process MIDI in various ways as well as update the device firmware. Specifications. Number of MIDI Ports: 1 MIDI In, 1 MIDI Out. Compatibility: Class Compliant and compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS (via CCK/Lightning adaptor) and Linux. Power Supply: USB. Length: 5ft. Weight: 3.5 oz Pros Many users praise this interface for living up to its plug and play functionality.

It works well with Mac and Windows operating systems, including and has no noticeable latency. A lot of users were pleased they didn't need to install drivers. It has a sturdy and compact build that feels secure and is very affordable. Cons Some people find its 'iConfig' software editing interface to be confusing and complicated to use. Although it should be mentioned that this is only needed for advanced functions. Also a few users reported issues with sending System Exclusive (SysEx) MIDI messages. There were also some cases were people reported MIDI signals getting cut off.

Overall This is a basic interface which lets you connect a MIDI device easily without the hassle of installing additional drivers. The E-MU Xmidi 1x1 Tab is a simple 'Y' cable Class Compliant MIDI interface from the makers of the original 'Sound Blaster' audio cards. It's probably the simplest and least feature packed USB MIDII interface on this list and is literally all cable and connectors.

They've been making them since 2006 in a few different forms and if you click the manufacture's link it seems they haven't updated their documentation since then but we can assure you that this 'Tab' model is a 'Plug and Play' / Class Compliant device that works with all modern operating systems. Specifications.

Number of MIDI Ports: 1 MIDI In, 1 MIDI Out. Compatibility: Class Compliant and compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS (via CCK/Lightning adaptor) and Linux. Power Supply: USB. Length 5.5 ft.

Weight: 5 oz Pros It seems this device's lack of features is a virtue with most users reporting it being easy to set up and use. Generally people found their computers recognized the device straight away. As with the other devices in this list the USB Class Compliant MIDI means that it can work with all serious modern operating systems now and into the future without having to worry about drivers. Cons A few users mentioned that it had a cheap build that can easily break and others received defective cables at purchase. There was a report that when transferring 'System Exclusive' messages (SysEx) the unit could not handle the highest data rate leading to data corruption.

Suggetions For An Audio Interface For Mac Garageband

Overall This interface is a good MIDI interface if you want the simplest possible option for you to connect your MIDI device to your computer. The Roland UM-ONE mk2 is a compact and affordable USB MIDI interface that has low latency timing. It comes in a form of a 'Y' cable.

It has data indicators for its MIDI ports and has conveniently integrated USB and MIDI cables. There's a small switch on the side labelled 'COMP/TAB' that allows you to set it to use the supplied 'old school' Windows/Mac drivers ('COMP') or the more modern 'Class Compliant' Mode ('TAB') that doesn't need drivers so it also works with IOS (iPad 2 and later, via Apple's CCK/lightning connector), Linux and newer Android devices.

Just one thing to keep in mind with iPad compatibility is that the manual states that you need to connect it through a powered USB hub, presumably because it may use more power than IOS provides. However Roland says it's compatible without needing extra power and users have reported that it works connected straight into the Apple adaptor as well.

Specifications. Number of MIDI Ports: 1 MIDI In, 1 MIDI Out. Compatibility: Driver Mode available for Windows/Mac, Class Compliant Mode: Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux and iPad 2 or later (via CCK/lightning connector). Power Supply:USB. May need powered USB hub for iPad/IOS connection. Size: 2.38' (W) x 1.19' (D) x 0.56' (H).

Weight: 4 oz. Pros Many users found this interface convenient since it's easy to set up and has a straightforward manual. For those Windows/Mac users who prefer to use the drivers the setup there is generally straightforward and there are drivers available all the way back to Windows XP and Mac OS X 10.4.

The Class Compliant MIDI option ensures that it can work with iPads, Linux and modern operating systems. Cons There were some users who had driver setup problems particularly with older versions of Windows and Mac operating systems. In some cases it also seems that the 'COMP/TAB' was confusing for some and they needlessly battled driver issues when the Class Compliant mode could have had them up and running. The mixed signals over whether a powered USB hub was required for iPads also caused some anxiety for buyers even though it worked fine without needing the powered hub. Overall This simple and straightforward MIDI interface is a great choice for you if you're a beginner starting out when it comes to using MIDI hardware. This is a good choice if you just need to connect a single keyboard or module to your computer.

The Yamaha MD-BT01 is a bluetooth wireless MIDI Interface that has MIDI In/Out terminals for Mac and iOS systems. Bluetooth MIDI is a new technology standard initially developed by Apple and so it's mainly only been compatible with Apple devices although other operating systems such as Windows 10 are adding support. The unit is powered by the MIDI connection so no cables are required allowing a truly wireless setup. Yamaha provide a companion App that allows you to easily use multiple MD-BT01s in your setup. Keep in mind that this interface obviously won't work with USB.

Specifications. Number of MIDI Ports: 1 MIDI In, 1 MIDI Out. Compatibility: Bluetooth LE MIDI. Compatible with iOs 8 or later and Mac OSX Yosemite or later with Bluetooth 4.0 installed. Power Supply: Powered by MIDI Connection. Size: 0.67'(W) x 2.63' (D) x 0.67'(H). Weight: 0.81oz Pros iOS and Mac users provided positive feedback for this device saying and Bluetooth connection is generally easy to set up.

Comments about the latency generally ranged from non-existent to acceptable, In terms of range it can work up to 30 feet even through walls and obstructions. Cons A small number of users have criticized it for not being immediately recognized by iOS devices when pairing but it does work most of the time. Some of them also mentioned its build is a bit flimsy and may not plug in easily to some MIDI devices.

There were also some reports of latency issues particularly when sending a lot of MIDI data so there could be issues with sending complex multi-channel pieces. Of course the big question of 'would you trust this for a live performance' comes up and it does seem that most prefer the reliability of a wired connection when performing in front of an audience. Overall This interface is a great choice if you want an easy to set up wireless system that works at up to 30 feet distance. The Tbox 2x2 is a simple MIDI interface with a total of 32 MIDI channels of (16) inputs and (16) outputs. Aside from its compatibility with different operating systems, it can be used to connect other older hardware equipment as long as they have standard 5-Pin MIDI connections. Specifications.

Number of MIDI Ports: 2 MIDI In / 2 MIDI Out. Compatibility: Class Compliant. Power Supply: USB powered. Size: 3.8' (W) x 2.7' (D) x 1.7' (H).

Weight: 0.32 oz Pros Overall, this interface is quite compact, durable and reliable for its price point. Reviewers also mentioned how it was easy to set up with no drivers needed, and there weren't any reports of connectivity issues with their devices. Additionally, standalone VSTs and DAWs were able to easily recognize this interface once plugged in.

In regards to hardware connectivity, it connects seamlessly with modern and traditional hardware synthesizers. Cons There were some reported issues when it comes to sending SysEx (System Exclusive) MIDI messages to older synthesizers, although there were no problems in sending CC messages.

Overall This is beginner friendly interface for those who are looking for something affordable and easy to set up. The iConnectMIDI1 is a 16-channel USB MIDI interface powered via USB. It comes with a lightning-to-iConnectivity mini-USB connection cable for connecting your laptop to an iOs device. This simple interface allows you to connect your MIDI compatible controller, synthesizer, keyboard or drum machine to your Mac, PC or mobile device.

In addition to that, there are no drivers needed to install when connecting to any operating system. Specifications. Number of MIDI Ports:1 MIDI In / 1 MIDI Out.

Compatibility: Class Compliant; iOS, Mac and PC compatible. Power Supply: USB bus powered. Size: 2.5' (W) x 5' (D) x 7' (H).

Weight:19.2 oz Pros A lot of reviewers who own an iOs device, such as iPads and iPhones, found this straightfoward and easy to use and set up. They were also able to utilize any hardware keyboard they once connected. From using VST apps to sequencing mobile digital audio workstations, this works well without any reported latencies. Cons One reviewer mentioned the cable was too short for their preference, which eventually was compensated by extending the connection by adding more MIDI cables. Overall This is an exceptionally portable and simple interface to use with iOs devices and for live gigs. The iConnectMIDI2+ has multi-host capabilities where it connects not only Mac, PC or iOs devices, but also traditional MIDI hardware.

Aside from sending and receiving MIDI messages, Its Audio passThru™ allows digital audio to integrate between devices without delay. This is effective when using your Mac or PC as a synth slave to your iOs device, or even running a soft synth on your mobile device as a touch-controlled plug-in for your DAW. Specifications. Number of MIDI Ports: 2 MIDI-In / 2 MIDI-Out. Compatibility: Class Compliant. Power Supply: USB Bus Powered.

Size: 8.43'(W) x 1.46'(H) x 5.51'(D). Weight: 34.08 oz Pros When it comes to routing devices, it's very flexible when using soft synths with their iOs devices to their PC or Mac. A number of owners were impressed by its Audio passThru™ feature, which allows routing of audio signals to their DAW from external routed equipment. An example of this would be audio routing the VSTs from their iPad to their laptop.

There were reports of zero latencies when it comes to playing synths. Additionally, the digital audio workstations' were able to detect the interface easily. Cons There were a few users who reported that setting up with an iPad is trickier, and eventually found solutions by adjusting MIDI settings on their computer. Some also mentioned some of the advanced features take a while to learn. Overall This is an excellent versatile MIDI interface for those who are familiar with an advanced understanding for MIDI routings. The M-Audio MIDISPORT 2x2 was part of M-Audio's 20th anniversary celebration, it expands on the features that are found on the first edition model released in 2000.

Aside from offering two of each MIDI inputs and outputs, it features a stand-alone MIDI merge and THRU functionality, ideal for connecting multiple MIDI devices and daisy chaining. Connectivity is made easy by simply plugging it into a computer device, and is also powered via USB.

Specifications. Number of MIDI Ports: 2 MIDI-In/2 MIDI-Out. Compatibility: Class-compliant operation under Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X. Power Supply: USB powered. Size: 7.6'(W) x 6.5'(D) x 2.4'(H). Weight: 14.4 oz Pros Musicians with a professional background found this interface to be reliable and effective for connecting MIDI gear to their PC or Mac, especially for live settings. It provide no midi feedback problem and zero latency when it comes to both recording and playback of MIDI.

Suggetions For An Audio Interface For Mac Sierra

It's quite functional with old MIDI equipment, not to mention easy to set up. In addition to that, it is lightweight yet feels very sturdy in regards to its construction. One reviewer mentioned that its LED is excellent for MIDI testing, for finding out if it's configured and operating properly, and checking the status of the signal. Cons A few reviewers mentioned it consumed a lot of power from their devices and preferred it to have an external power source.

Overall If you are looking for an effective and responsive MIDI interface, this is a highly recommended choice. The MOTU micro lite 5x5 is a professional MIDI interface that provides 5 MIDI In/MIDI Out and 80 MIDI channels that are compatible with all versions of Mac and Windows devices.

It has a metal casing that's both portable and convenient for desktop operation. It also has removable rack attachments and a custom center-joint fastener that allows you to mount two of these interfaces side by side in a standard 19-inch equipment rack. The number of MIDI ports can be expanded by plugging it to other MOTU MIDI interfaces. Specifications. Number of MIDI Ports: 5 MIDI In, 5 MIDI Out. Compatibility: Proprietary Drivers Supplied for Windows and Mac (Not Class Complaint). Power Supply: USB.

Size: 9.5'(W) x 7'(D) x 1.75'(H). Weight: 2 lbs Pros Many people praise it for its simple design, how well-built it is and its low latency. For an interface that has multiple ports, it's simple and straightforward when it comes to configuration. A few musicians have tried connecting multiple keyboards and synth modules and gave positive feedback on how easy it is to integrate it with their computers.

A few reviewers mentioned they never had any sync issues when synced with other devices. Cons Some users notice their DAWs don't recognize this interface right away.

Some of them had to unplug and re-install drivers of this interface in order for it to work. A few have mentioned this doesn't have any routing options either. This interface is not class compliant which means that you are dependant on drivers from the manufacturer for it to function.

If there are new Windows or Mac updates in the future then you may need to install new drivers. Overall This is an affordable choice for your professional or home studio that's expandable and has extra features. Things To Consider When Buying A MIDI Interface. What is a MIDI Interface? Simply put, it's a device that allows you to connect MIDI devices, such as hardware synths and keyboards that use 5-pin MIDI jacks, to your computer or tablet. Connectivity Some MIDI interfaces come with 'Y' cables: 2 MIDI connectors (1 In/1 Out) on one end and a USB connector.

Some have multiple MIDI sockets and this is necessary if you want to connect multiple MIDI devices at the same time - an example would be connecting an Electronic Drum Set and a at the same time. Multiple MIDI sockets are also useful if you want to leave multiple devices plugged in even if you only use one at a time - saves the hassle of unplugging and plugging in different devices constantly. There are MIDI Interfaces that are compatible with IOS devices, such as iPhones or iPads, with the use of Apple lightning cables. Any class compliant USB device can be connected to iOS devices via an Apple Camera Connection Kit or Lightning adapter - note that your iOS apps must use CoreMIDI. Power Many MIDI interfaces don't need additional AC power cables or batteries and can be powered via USB when plugged to a PC, Mac or Linux box. Important information for iPad users: The iPad limits the amount of power available to USB devices so even though you can use Class Compliant interfaces with it you will usually need to use a to provide sufficient power. This does not apply if your MIDI interface has its own power adapter.

Class Compliant USB MIDI Class compliant devices are plug-and-play devices that don't need extra drivers to work (although manufacturers often supply them anyway). Although theoretically any class compliant device should work with any operating system that supports them you may have trouble with older operating systems so if you don't have the latest version of your OS then check the compatibility information carefully before purchasing (or upgrade to the latest OS if you can). Number of MIDI Ports (Input/Output/Thru) MIDI devices come in 3 ports: In, Out and Thru.

A single MIDI port (Output) is enough to connect your MIDI controller to a computer. Having multiple synth modules, keyboards or effects processors means you need a dedicated interface with more MIDI channels to connect to, which helps reduce latency. Another reason to have more MIDI channels is if one of your sound modules don't have a MIDI Thru port for daisy chaining. Each MIDI port contains 16 channels.