Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:39:01 -0600
From: Studio Channing <studiochanning(a)yahoo.com
<mailto:studiochanning@yahoo.com>>
Subject: [LAU] multichannel interface recommendations?
Message-ID: <551ABF95.2040606(a)yahoo.com
<mailto:551ABF95.2040606@yahoo.com>>
we are searching for a new audio interface for a project studio and
interested in the experiences others have had
requirements are:
* 8 (or more) channels simultaneous recording to computer
* at least 4 preamps for mic level inputs
* USB2 preferable to Fireware, but..
* 100% linux compatible, ideally with a stock kernel
* under $500 USD if possible
less important is real-time monitoring functionality - this will
mostly
be used for bands playing live
...
anybody have any recommendations
I have been looking for a similar device, 4 mic inputs to record a
string quartet, and bought a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8. I haven't used
it for recording yet but I did plug it into my Fedora 21 mini
computer, started qjackctl and all the inputs and outputs were
exposed. It has 4 front panel mic inputs, 2 can be switched* to line,
48v phantom on each pair, 4 TRS balanced inputs in the back, S/PDIF in
and out, and ADAT optical in for an additional 8 channels in, 2
balanced channels out on the back with 2 stereo (headphone) outs on
the front, plus midi in and out. It lists at $400 at several online
retailers, I bought mine used on ebay.
There is an windows and mac mixer app, and you need to use the app to
switch the two channels from mic/line to instrument and change other
configurations. Focusrite states that they don't guarantee Linux
compatibility but they have published enough interface information
that at least two programmers have created Scarlett Mixer python apps
on Github, one is by Linux audio guru Robin Gareus. With the program
you can assign the headphone output as zero latency input monitoring
or as output from your computer.
http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-18i8
https://github.com/x42/scarlettmixer
https://github.com/trrichard/ScarlettMixer
It seems to have solid stage worthy construction and a power supply
with US, UK and Euro plugs.
-- Jeff Sandys
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Thank you! We were unaware of the hardware support and scarlettmixer, at
one point a couple of years ago there was a smaller Focusrite USB here
and that did not work under Linux - it was probably the Saffire 6 and it
seems that has now changed too:
So we are seeing USB support for multiple Focusrite devices, nice.
Between Focusrite and Presonus it looks like we have several decent
options in our price range.