Hi guys,
I'm in the process to upgrade from my Mbox 2 Pro and am considering the Motu Track16, Apogee Duet 2 and RME Babyface (maybe even the Focusrite 18i6).
I'm trying to understand wich one of these has the best converters AD/DA and mic pres, but can't find the way.
I'd like to have as much analog outputs as possible, but 4 would probably be fine too.
I'd like to have more than 2 simultaneous inputs, but just to not be restricted in case I need to record more than one instrument at the time.
Although, realistically, I'll much probably record just one track at the time.
I want it to be portable and the price range I wanna stay in is around $500-550 max.
I have the feeling that the Motu Track16 is the one that gives me all I want, but I wanna be sure about the quality of the converters and pres.
Thank you very much for your precious inputs!
Find someone who has already run an Audio Rightmark test on it.
BTW worrying about converters among the products you're looking at will probably have no audible benefits.
There are many helpful and knowledgeable people on this site but it may well turn out that no single person here has in depth experience of all the devices you mention.
Furthermore the general culture and specific Terms of Service make it unlikely that anyone would venture an opinion as regards the quality of converters. Quite right too.
If that turns out to be the case you might try asking on Gearslutz (http://www.gearslutz.com/board/)
I've got a MOTU Ultralite. It's been fine but if I had my choice again I would have saved a bit longer and gone for the RME. Better software and customer support plus I admire the company culture. Anyway, Focusrite now seem to have stolen MOTU's role in providing RME facilities on a budget. Apogee is Mac only so I never considered them on the basis they must be overpiced.
What's wrong with the M-Box?
Thanks RonaldDumsfeld.
Nothing wrong with M-Audio, I had a Firewire 410 years ago, but in my research it looked like the Track16, Duet 2 and Babyface were the ones "less consumer" for that price range (although RME a bit too expensive for me at the moment).