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Noob Audio Interface Question

Loden Reinheim

New Member
I have a soundblaster zxr soundcard (Amazon product ASIN B00AQ5PK6I) and I was wondering if getting an audio interface would be worth it, with any improvement in sound quality or latency/processing.

Would getting something not a deep dive financially like a focusrite scarlette be an improvement(in terms of sound quality, taking load off my CPU) or a waste because I already have a soundcard?

One thing I've noticed is that I getting buzzing coming through my monitors when I'm doing anything graphically intensive like gaming, and I suspect its interference from the fan of my graphics card leaking into the soundcard/wires right next to it on the motherboard(although this isn't a problem when I'm composing).
 
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I have a soundblaster zxr soundcard (Amazon product ASIN B00AQ5PK6I) and I was wondering if getting an audio interface would be worth it, with any improvement in sound quality or latency/processing.

Would getting something not a deep dive financially like a focusrite scarlette be an improvement(in terms of sound quality, taking load off my CPU) or a waste because I already have a soundcard?

One thing I've noticed is that I getting buzzing coming through my monitors when I'm doing anything graphically intensive like gaming, and I suspect its interference from the fan of my graphics card leaking into the soundcard/wires right next to it on the motherboard(although this isn't a problem when I'm composing).

I've always used onboard sound for gaming and audio interface for DAW. Life is less complicated that way.
 
I have a soundblaster zxr soundcard (Amazon product ASIN B00AQ5PK6I) and I was wondering if getting an audio interface would be worth it, with any improvement in sound quality or latency/processing.

Would getting something not a deep dive financially like a focusrite scarlette be an improvement(in terms of sound quality, taking load off my CPU) or a waste because I already have a soundcard?

One thing I've noticed is that I getting buzzing coming through my monitors when I'm doing anything graphically intensive like gaming, and I suspect its interference from the fan of my graphics card leaking into the soundcard/wires right next to it on the motherboard(although this isn't a problem when I'm composing).
You question isn't specific enough to give a firm answer IMO. What kind of music are you tracking (audio? MIDI? both? # of inputs needed?)? What's your budget? etc
 
You question isn't specific enough to give a firm answer IMO. What kind of music are you tracking (audio? MIDI? both? # of inputs needed?)? What's your budget? etc

Both. I record electric bass/guitar via Radial J48. Amp sims inside S1 Pro 4.1.1.

Acoustic instruments and voice with an adequate large diaphragm condenser mic.

2 inputs with ADAT expansion is good.

i like the 2 headphones of the RME BFP. i assume both can be used at once, but not independently.

i see retail for the BFP at about $750 - doable. hopefully a BF deal will pop up.
 
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The Scarlett or behringer audio interfaces are good at a good price.
Will be a good improvement.

i had a Scarlett 18i8 gen 1 before i got the id14.

the new Gen 2 18i8 has some nice features and is supposedly low latency.

Behringer... um, no.
 
Behinger...um, yes. :) They have really upped their game; they are no longer the wal-mart of audio equipment FYI.

perhaps.

i bought one of their ADAT expansions (ADA8200) for my id14.

2 channels didn't work.

build quality was awful.

this was last year. if that is their "upped game" - no thanks.

but i appreciate the reminder about the Scarlett - doesn't get high on the Gearslutz list, but reviews show the latency at 128 buffers around 7ms.

blows the id14 away.
 
just received and hooked up the Babyface Pro.

a slight learning curve with Totalmix.

but, holy cow!

A+++

guitar/bass amp sims sound great and the latency is MUCH better than the id14.

snappy.
 
just received and hooked up the Babyface Pro.

a slight learning curve with Totalmix.

but, holy cow!

A+++

guitar/bass amp sims sound great and the latency is MUCH better than the id14.

snappy.
Excellent. This is something I find myself wondering about from time to time. My interface is nothing special and I wonder how much I'd notice a difference. I'm guessing I would by comments and threads on the subject but right now can't justify it. So you notice a difference in the actual sound? That interests me more than latency.
 
Excellent. This is something I find myself wondering about from time to time. My interface is nothing special and I wonder how much I'd notice a difference. I'm guessing I would by comments and threads on the subject but right now can't justify it. So you notice a difference in the actual sound? That interests me more than latency.

i notice a huge difference in the sound over the id14 and from what i remember of my old Scarlett 18i8.

need to load some orch. templates and compare resource usage.
 
Excellent. This is something I find myself wondering about from time to time. My interface is nothing special and I wonder how much I'd notice a difference. I'm guessing I would by comments and threads on the subject but right now can't justify it. So you notice a difference in the actual sound? That interests me more than latency.

you may want to have a listen to the id22 or maybe to the id44 if you want to spend a bit more. i haven't heard the new babybace pro tbh, but I doubt it does sound a lot better than the audients.
 
you may want to have a listen to the id22 or maybe to the id44 if you want to spend a bit more. i haven't heard the new babybace pro tbh, but I doubt it does sound a lot better than the audients.


could be i'm simply getting better levels with the BFP.

i haven't done any tests.

all i can say is i am initially more pleased with the BFP over the id14.

also, i was constantly having problems with the Audient.

Support made an effort to help, but in the end i was always wondering what problem i would encounter next with my interface.

not a good way to work.

i find your comment curious since you mentioned you hadn't heard the BFP.
 
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