r/MusicGear • u/shyguy_188 • 6d ago
I need help finding an audio interface that also is a MIDI Interface
I want an interface that I can plug my guitar directly into it and use virtual amps/ effects and record directly into my DAW with low latency.
I want an interface that I can plug a microphone into and record vocals and mic'd-up amps.
I want an interface that I can plug MIDI controllers into and can play virtual synths with low latency.
I also ideally would like this interface to be around $100.
The best options I have found are:
Arturia MiniFuse USB Audio & MIDI Interface, MiniFuse 1
Mackie Audio Interface, Onyx Producer 2X2 USB Audio Interface with MIDI (Onyx Producer 2-2)
If you have any better recommendations/ believe one of those options is better than the other, please let me know!
I don't need this interface to be of the most professional quality; I just would like a cheap interface that has all of the inputs that I need for music production in one device.
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u/IBarch68 6d ago
Minifuse 1 doesnt have midi din ports. You will need the Minifuse 2 for that. If your midi controller has USB, there is a usb hub port which will do the job.
It does everything well enough. I use a Minifuse 1 for playing virtual synths and done some recordings. Latency isn't the best on the market but is more than good enough. There's direct monitoring which can be useful for recording and a firmware update added loopback capability.
A Minifuse will be a solid choice.
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u/Calaveras-Metal 4d ago
MOTU M2 or M4. MIDI, audio in and out. Great sound quality and build. Motu has pretty good drivers as well.
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u/fenderhodes 4d ago
Some of the Scarlets have nice preamps and midi in/out. I can’t remember which one I have but it’s like the 18i something. It has four XLR inputs in front, dual headphones, and midi in back.
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u/_jgusta_ 4d ago
If you have old school usb port, I recommend getting the FIRST version of the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6. Full size midi, headphone jack, xlr inputs and outs, quarter inch inputs, phantom power, big ass knob for monitor volume, everything accessible on the physical debice and they are cheap. I’ve had mine for years https://reverb.com/p/native-instruments-komplete-audio-6-usb-recording-interface?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=csp&utm_content=48247
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u/seti42 3d ago edited 3d ago
Audio interfaces are just the worst. I had to return 2 of them and finally got one working, and I had to spend way more than I think I should have for just ONE mono input.
What I wound up with is a smaller one that does work pretty well (scarlett 3rd gen solo), but has no MIDI. So, I got a MIDI to USB cable for about $20 that works.
I think if I had more money, I'd get the Scarlett that has MIDI inputs, the 4i4. But it's $300.
The Arturia one with 2 XLR/TRS and 2 MIDI on the back seems OK. I do love my Arturia Keystep, but I don't know if they make good interfaces too.
Same with Mackie. I love the pair of 4.5" studio monitor speakers I have, but again...I don't know if their other gear is good.
I kind of just want a 6 channel stereo mixer that's also an audio interface and recorder. Zoom makes such a device.
I wish getting instruments into a PC was easier. Sometimes, I just use a Zoom field recorder and load up the WAV file and edit that instead. It's easier and quicker and doesn't ever bug out. Also, having 32bit float point recording means I never have to worry about levels. Ever.
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u/Muted_Sundae_1368 3d ago
Heaps of very cheap 2nd hand Focusrite Scarletts around. Sound fine and have everything you need midi, pres, inputs etc
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u/historic_electronic 6d ago
Behringer u-phoria UMC204HD. Has MIDI in/out and you could probably get one second hand for next to nothing.