It’s another, “What’s the best interface” question you guys love so much.

I’m in need of a new soundcard because I’m doing a lot of recording as of late. I mainly record vocals through one mic. I have some other line level stuff I would like to have plugged in all the time, but sound quality is more important than number of inputs.

I work on a PC and I do some sampling, run some midi and lots of VST instruments. Should I be looking at an interface with word clock? I was set on the EMU 1820M but it’s a PCI card. I’m wanting to go the firewire route because PCI is DOA. Is there a firwire device that will give me the same quality vocals? Max price would be $1,000 but I would like to stay between $500-$700.

I was looking at some interfaces, but can’t find a head to head review of any. Let me know if I should be looking at something else.

ECHO AudioFire 8
MOTU Ultralite
Focusrite Saffire
Presonus Fire everything (any good)
Edirol FA-101

or should I just spring for RME Fireface 400/800

Hey, what’s up?

I wouldn’t give up on PCI just yet. If that interface has everything you want and the sound quality you want, what’s stopping you? Using PCI frees up your FW and USB buses for a recording hard drive, which should always be on it’s own bus, and things like FW DSP devices that are becoming more prevalent (Focusrite Liquid Mix, SSL Duende, etc.).

But if you’d rather have a FW interface, and you have a free FW bus, the Fireface 400 is a spicy meatball. It’s got the high sound quality you want, clocking and extra line inputs for your other gear. I’m starting to want one just thinking about it. Of course, it does cost quite a bit. If you need to save money, I think your MOTU, Focusrite and Presonus options would be OK.

And if you want to consider a couple options that are a bit different, look at the Mackie Onyx 400F or M-Audio NRV10.