Simple USB audio card for Reason 8 (13" MacBook Pro)

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audiomidiman
Posts: 30
Joined: 21 Oct 2015
Location: Clinton Township
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21 Oct 2015

Trying to get back to writing in reason after a several year break and need some help. Went from Reason 4.x to 8.x a few days ago. Haven't really dug into it other than I know my 2014 i7 MacBook Pro seems to be running Reason 8 just fine (Hope it runs fine on my 27" C2D iMac). Even my Evolution 425C USB/Midi controller seems to be working (yay)... So, the next step is to grab a small inexpensive sound card in order to get audio in (as needed) and audio out and looking for some options. Not looking for a bunch of inputs.. Just something simple and clean sounding. I'm taking baby steps. Went from Cubase SX2, Reason and tons of external gear to Reason, controller, powered monitors and a couple of Midi/Audio toys (K2000, Frostwave filter, PhatBoy Midi controller and my Alesis32 Mixer). Just want to keep everything simple.

So, what would you guys recommend I start looking at as far as a small inexpensive sound card? Thanks very much.

Bill

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chimp_spanner
Posts: 2908
Joined: 06 Mar 2015

21 Oct 2015

What's your budget? I can only really recommend what I've used. The Yamaha/Steinberg UR-22 is a great card. Enough inputs and outputs to future-proof yourself a little but not so many that you don't know what to do with them. That's what my girlfriend uses. I have the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6, which is a little more well spec'd I/O wise, but not a million miles from the UR-22. Both are under £200 brand new and offer great low-latency performance.

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SteveDiverse
Posts: 108
Joined: 15 Jan 2015

21 Oct 2015

The Focusrite Scarlett series is pretty good for the price (Solo $99, 2i2 $149)

They're all based on the same circuits, the higher models have more inputs and preamps

http://www.sweetwater.com/c682--Focusri ... s/low2high
:reason: :reload: :record: :ignition: :refill: :re: | :rt: FTW

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selig
RE Developer
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Location: The NorthWoods, CT, USA

21 Oct 2015

SteveDiverse wrote:The Focusrite Scarlett series is pretty good for the price (Solo $99, 2i2 $149)

They're all based on the same circuits, the higher models have more inputs and preamps

http://www.sweetwater.com/c682--Focusri ... s/low2high
I can second the recordation for the 2i2 which I use at my girlfriend's setup when visiting. It's been perfect for what we needed, small but with all the essential features and 100% reliable with Reason. Logic, and Native Instruments. :)
Selig Audio, LLC

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jonheal
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Joined: 29 Jan 2015
Location: Springfield, VA, USA
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21 Oct 2015

selig wrote:
SteveDiverse wrote:The Focusrite Scarlett series is pretty good for the price (Solo $99, 2i2 $149)

They're all based on the same circuits, the higher models have more inputs and preamps

http://www.sweetwater.com/c682--Focusri ... s/low2high
I can second the recordation for the 2i2 which I use at my girlfriend's setup when visiting. It's been perfect for what we needed, small but with all the essential features and 100% reliable with Reason. Logic, and Native Instruments. :)
I got that sucka, too.
Jon Heal:reason: :re: :refill:Do not click this link!

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Eagleizer
Posts: 102
Joined: 15 Jan 2015
Location: Thailand

25 Oct 2015

audiomidiman wrote:Trying to get back to writing in reason after a several year break and need some help. Went from Reason 4.x to 8.x a few days ago. Haven't really dug into it other than I know my 2014 i7 MacBook Pro seems to be running Reason 8 just fine (Hope it runs fine on my 27" C2D iMac). Even my Evolution 425C USB/Midi controller seems to be working (yay)... So, the next step is to grab a small inexpensive sound card in order to get audio in (as needed) and audio out and looking for some options. Not looking for a bunch of inputs.. Just something simple and clean sounding. I'm taking baby steps. Went from Cubase SX2, Reason and tons of external gear to Reason, controller, powered monitors and a couple of Midi/Audio toys (K2000, Frostwave filter, PhatBoy Midi controller and my Alesis32 Mixer). Just want to keep everything simple.

So, what would you guys recommend I start looking at as far as a small inexpensive sound card? Thanks very much.

Bill
You get Softube Time and Tone bundle with Scarlett and a couple of other Focusrite products atm.
Softube bundle alone is worth $198.

http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-inter ... arlett-2i2

I have 2i4 and very happy with it.

Cheers :)

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sonicbyte
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Joined: 16 Jan 2015
Location: Argentina
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26 Oct 2015

Do you know if Scarlett Solo manage MIDI via the USB cable (To use in Reason) ?

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SteveDiverse
Posts: 108
Joined: 15 Jan 2015

26 Oct 2015

sonicbyte wrote:Do you know if Scarlett Solo manage MIDI via the USB cable (To use in Reason) ?
It is an audio interface only - no MIDI

You already mentioned your USB controller works, so you don't need another midi solution, unless you have another controller that does not have usb - in which case, you can get a simple midi cable interface.
:reason: :reload: :record: :ignition: :refill: :re: | :rt: FTW

audiomidiman
Posts: 30
Joined: 21 Oct 2015
Location: Clinton Township
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13 Nov 2015

Thanks guys!!! As far as the Scarlett… Is there something else that you guys would recommend that has stereo in? I do have a K2000… I have an overkill MOTU midi interface I will most likely be selling… It would be nice to get a simple USB audio card with MIDI in and MIDI out, one set of stereo in’s and stereo out for my powered M-Audio monitors. I’d like to spend $100-$150 but could go up a little more if needed. Just don’t want to go hardware crazy like I did in the past… Not because I don’t like hardware… Just want to keep everything in reason for writing… My Evolution 425 midi controller works great… However, I might want to play with my K2000 on and off “just because”…

I’m also looking for some decent headphones… Nothing over $100… Any recommendations?

Thank you.
Bill

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tronam
Posts: 486
Joined: 04 Mar 2015

13 Nov 2015

audiomidiman wrote:Thanks guys!!! As far as the Scarlett… Is there something else that you guys would recommend that has stereo in? I do have a K2000… I have an overkill MOTU midi interface I will most likely be selling… It would be nice to get a simple USB audio card with MIDI in and MIDI out, one set of stereo in’s and stereo out for my powered M-Audio monitors. I’d like to spend $100-$150 but could go up a little more if needed. Just don’t want to go hardware crazy like I did in the past… Not because I don’t like hardware… Just want to keep everything in reason for writing… My Evolution 425 midi controller works great… However, I might want to play with my K2000 on and off “just because”…

I’m also looking for some decent headphones… Nothing over $100… Any recommendations?

Thank you.
Bill
Steinberg/Yamaha UR22. It's right in your price range and includes MIDI I/O. The MKii was just announced as well which includes class compliant drivers and native loopback support, a very useful feature (particularly for Reason users).
Music is nothing else but wild sounds civilized into time and tune.

audiomidiman
Posts: 30
Joined: 21 Oct 2015
Location: Clinton Township
Contact:

13 Nov 2015

tronam wrote:
audiomidiman wrote:Thanks guys!!! As far as the Scarlett… Is there something else that you guys would recommend that has stereo in? I do have a K2000… I have an overkill MOTU midi interface I will most likely be selling… It would be nice to get a simple USB audio card with MIDI in and MIDI out, one set of stereo in’s and stereo out for my powered M-Audio monitors. I’d like to spend $100-$150 but could go up a little more if needed. Just don’t want to go hardware crazy like I did in the past… Not because I don’t like hardware… Just want to keep everything in reason for writing… My Evolution 425 midi controller works great… However, I might want to play with my K2000 on and off “just because”…

I’m also looking for some decent headphones… Nothing over $100… Any recommendations?

Thank you.
Bill
Steinberg/Yamaha UR22. It's right in your price range and includes MIDI I/O. The MKii was just announced as well which includes class compliant drivers and native loopback support, a very useful feature (particularly for Reason users).
I'll check it out... thanks.

What about the Mackie Onyx Blackjack 2x2 USB Recording Interface?

audiomidiman
Posts: 30
Joined: 21 Oct 2015
Location: Clinton Township
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14 Nov 2015

Yamaha/Steinberg UR-22 ... What's the advantage of the MKII over the original? The UR-22 seems like it would fit my needs perfect and see it as low as $120-$150.00... I like the MKII ability to attach to an iPad... Pretty slick.

audiomidiman
Posts: 30
Joined: 21 Oct 2015
Location: Clinton Township
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15 Nov 2015

Ordered the UR22 mkii from B&H who is the only one who seems to have stock... $149 which is pretty much the same price as the original everywhere. Hope I'm happy with it!!! :)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... b_2_0.html

Grabbed a pair of Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone from Amazon as well.

Thanks for all the feedback.

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Marco Raaphorst
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Joined: 22 Jan 2015
Location: The Hague, The Netherlands
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15 Nov 2015

this has all you need and is super cheap http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-i ... arlett-2i4

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