Been looking at various USB audio interfaces with 8 -10 (jack)outputs. I want to run 4 stereo channels from traktor into my dj mixer but also have an output from ableton sent to/clock an erm multiclock which will sync hardware to traktor audio(using MIDI is just too problematic).These are the 2 that look good.
Roland UA-1010 Octa-Capture
Ultralite Mk3 Hybrid.
Both have 8 outputs for my 4 stereo traktor channels and both have headphone outs that I think can be set up as independent/additional outputs?. Moto also has another 2 āMainā outputs which I think are independent. One of these these additional outputs I was hoping to setup as ableton channels with ERM clock pulse. Id have traktor and Ableton synced using āLinkā.
So looking for some feedback from users.
Can these run with 2 software programs using them at same time on different channels (traktor ableton)?
Are the additional outs independent from main 8?
Which do you think has better performance audio and latency, which would you prefer, the roland seems more geared up for live capturing?
I may have missed some others during my searching through different brands etc but from what I see these 2 seem to fit the spec. Any recommendations?
Saw there was a ultralite mk4 but that seems to have vanished. Perhaps as people were having issues with hardware/driver (i saw people) on another forum mentioning this. That looked good on paper tbh
Nice! I was going to propose a RME UFX used, they sell for around ā¬800-ā¬1000 here.
I donāt own any RME products, but judging from the many positive takes on their products across the internet, I think you canāt really go wrong with anything RME.
Re UltraLite, the UltraLite AVB should still be available.
Budget was around Ā£500. Dont really need knobs tbh.
Ive actually got one more test to try as a workaround before I go spending cash but still interested in whats out there. Also, it has to be smaller than the rack types. Ive actually got a edirol FA-101 but canāt use it on my desktop PC as Ive no firewire out (no spare PCI slots either lol). Plus I believe there are no divers for windows 10 + win10 stopped support for firewire.
Can recommend RME here. Iāve got the UFX - it is amazing that the product is as old as it is, and yet RME continues to update rock-solid drivers. Sounds fantastic, ultra low latency, and have never had one problem with it.
Iāve got a UL Mk3, it was a great deal for so much I/O but it can be kind of a nightmare to use, lots of issues with drivers and random glitch noises. I have to reset it a couple times a day. Running audio software and browser based stuff usually works, but while gaming for example i can never go a few hours without having to reboot. Might be that it doesnāt like switching back and forth between different sample rates.
It could just be my systems (both win and osx) but itās almost impossible to monitor multiple software channels live without a strange high pitched drone cutting out all other audio every few minutes. I should clarify that itās only in the case of sending multiple sources to the computer for process live, direct monitoring of inputs and playback on multiple channels seems to work out fine.
Other than that its a great solution for lots of I/O on a budget. I like the CueMix software that lets you use it as a computer controlled mixer if you need, compression and eq on every channel, with master reverb (though i can almost never get it to work).
Agree with @taxhaven in regards to Motu Ultralite MK3 being glitchy. I have to restart it often. When it works itās great, though the initial setup can be tedious. I set and forget the settings and used an old lexicon MPX110 to add an extra 2 outputs through SPDIF. Never really messed with compression, verb, etcā¦I typically do all that ITB.
Only complaint I have is difficulty seeing faders in bright light. Sounds decent enough. Stereo sends/aux out, which I find missing from most cheaper/smaller mixers. Sturdy box. Looks cool.
I have had MOTU UltraLite Mk3 for 5 years.
Drivers are solid and reliable (Mac).
Actually never crashed on me.
Issues are reknown under Windows.
It has 5+1 stereo outputs: Analog 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 as well as Main Output and headphones. Headphones can be used as either your main mix monitoring or an independant extra out.
8 inputs: 2 XLR/line combo and 6 lines input.
It is DC coupled.
Up until Mk3, the software mixer was a stand alone software (CueMix). Mk4 has a different system based on a browser. To be honest, CueMix is pretty handy once you get your head around it.
Good thing above everything else is you can use it without computer!
You can literally have it plugged in your laptop and unplug it hot: still works as a standalone device.
828ES is also a pretty good deal.
A friend of mine swears by RME: I did not notice any audio quality difference between both. But that is only me
Canāt go wrong with a second hand Mk3.
You can actually daisy chain 2 Mk3 UltraLite through FireWire
Hope this helps,
V
Thanks for all replys people. My work around just now seems to be working. Running traktor with xone96 in build soundcard. Then using my Rane 64 as audio device in ableton to send the audio timing pulse to ERM Multiclock.
I am defo still going to keep digging about another audio interface tho as would be a good addition to my studio. So any advice still welcome.
Thanks @vasidudu for you detailed reply mate. This mk3 (or mk4 if can be found lol) defo looks ideal on paper for my needs. 8 for traktor 4 decks and additional mains outs for clock pulse.
Im actually looking at a couple on ebay just now second hand that are going for Ā£200-250. Could be worth a cheap punt on one to try out.
The only thing Iām a little weary is what people say about audio drops/drivers. Im on Windows 10 64bit. Obviously Iāll be djing with it so need it to stay solid for a few hours during a mix.
I was going to propose a RME UFX used, they sell for around ā¬800-ā¬1000 here.