Finding yourself fighting with your interface and struggling with the urge to chuck it out of your fourth-story window? That feeling isn’t as rare as you think. Getting an audio interface that works with you is the first step in reaching your musical potential. Why? Because if you love to work with your equipment, then you’ll spend more time immersed in the recording process and less time frustrated with limited channel counts, routing, and other issues. Here are three signs that it’s time to upgrade your audio interface.
You Want More Channels
If you want to record multiple sound sources at the same time, like your band’s next practice, then you’ll need some more channels. An interface with extra channels affords you plenty of flexibility. With eight channels, you can capture a four-piece rock band with ease! But wouldn’t it be great to mic up your kit with eight or even 10 mics? Imagine the possibilities that could arise from adding extra channels to your setup. If you have aspirations of adding external preamps or processors to your rig, then look for an interface with balanced line inputs or digital I/O like ADAT, which make it easy to integrate external gear.
You Want Better-sounding Preamps
Oftentimes, taking the plunge and buying a new audio interface isn’t about channel counts and phantom-power needs. It’s about the preamps. With each upgrade tier, the microphone preamps inside an audio interface get better and better. So, if you want some great-sounding preamps and don’t want to deal with expensive outboard gear, then your best bet is to upgrade your audio interface.
You Need Better Headphone Routing
If you want to record with a friend, then headphone routing is essential. Getting a new audio interface that has better headphone routing makes that whole process easier. Case in point, setting up a cue mix for a vocalist allows them to hear a monitor mix of the song while you pay attention to the dry signal’s quality. There are plenty of options to explore with headphone-routing techniques — all you need to do is upgrade!
Honorable Mention: You Want to Use Universal Audio Plug-ins
When it comes to plug-ins, plenty of people would say that Universal Audio reigns supreme. But there’s a catch — you have to have Universal Audio hardware to use their plug-ins. Universal Audio interfaces, like the Apollo Twin and the Apollo Solo, bring a lot to the table. Their Unison preamp technology is some of the best in the business, giving you total control over the preamp’s functionality. Plus, Universal Audio interfaces are compatible with LUNA (UA’s complete music production environment) for a game-changing recording, mixing, and mastering experience.
Note: The Universal Audio LUNA requires a Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo or Arrow interface. It’s also Mac only — Windows is not supported at present. Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more details.
Go Ahead, Treat Yourself!
There you have it: three signs it’s time for a new audio interface! Whether you’re looking for more channels, improved mic pres, or an excuse to scratch that new-gear itch, you can never go wrong with upgrading your audio interface. If you’re ready to pull the trigger and invest in your next piece of gear, then make sure you reach out to your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 for recommendations and unbiased opinions on today’s hottest audio interfaces.