A new audio interface made ALL the difference (Thanks Dimi)!

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Social Exodus
Posts: 402
Joined: 19 Jan 2015
Location: Pennsyltucky

09 Jun 2019

I have had an M-Audio FastTrack Pro since the late 2000's and It worked so I was happy. But my guitar never seemed right to me, even though there were no actual problems per say. It just sounded "wrong", like if I connected a Strat straight into a Fender Deluxe style model be it Overloud, Line6 or Kuassa for example.

In any event, I started browsing around Dimi's (the product specialist for Kuassa) tone site repository and he mentioned that having the "right" audio interface makes ALL the difference because of the 1m ohm impedance of a dedicated guitar input
on a really good interface. He recommended the Focusrite 2i2/2i4 interfaces and I sprung for the 2i4 interface because I needed the midi inputs and MAN, the difference is night and day!

I would never have realized that an interface would make this kind of difference in guitar tone but as God is my witness -- it does. So if your guitar tone is lackluster, take a good hard look at your audio interface and make sure that it isn't the real problem before saying that "modeling sucks" in general, or some modelling software you invested in is not any good.
Last edited by Social Exodus on 10 Jun 2019, edited 3 times in total.
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guitfnky
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09 Jun 2019

interesting, do you still have the old one hooked up, by chance? it would be amazing to hear a proper a/b comparison if possible (I understand if it’s too big a hassle—just would be a cool way to sate my now-piqued curiosity).
I write good music for good people

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Social Exodus
Posts: 402
Joined: 19 Jan 2015
Location: Pennsyltucky

09 Jun 2019

guitfnky wrote:
09 Jun 2019
interesting, do you still have the old one hooked up, by chance? it would be amazing to hear a proper a/b comparison if possible (I understand if it’s too big a hassle—just would be a cool way to sate my now-piqued curiosity).
I did do an A/B comparison by ear, IE not recorded and was so astounded that I immediately uninstalled my FastTrack pro and played all my amp sims via the 2i4 the rest of the evening. I think the key is the 1m impedance on the guitar input which preserves the high frequencies. Honestly (and I know this is cliche) but it was like a heavy blanket had been removed from my virtual rig.

Again, my "vintage" M-Audio FastTrack Pro was available circa 2007 so in my case, knowing what I do now it is not that surprising in retrospect.
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Nektar Panorama P4
Korg padKontrol

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Loque
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10 Jun 2019

Maybe it's the overdrive of the input? If it reflects back (too loud or too much overdrive) it sounds like a RM.
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boingy
Posts: 791
Joined: 01 Feb 2019

10 Jun 2019

A good guitar interface design is tricky to get right, especially given the huge range in pick-up output levels you get now. The Focusrite is the first interface where I've been happy to plug guitar and mic directly in. Before that my guitars would go through a multi-effects box to get it up to line level and the mic would go through a valve pre-amp to do the same.

Suddenly I have a lot of spare cables and fewer trip hazards.

(Other interfaces are available...)
Last edited by boingy on 10 Jun 2019, edited 1 time in total.

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dimi
Posts: 428
Joined: 27 Jun 2016

10 Jun 2019

Glad I helped to re discover the wonderful world of amp simulation.
I've started around 1998, using Awe64, Sound Blaster Live, then EMU 1212m with M Audio Audio Buddy, M-Audio Firewire 410 and many more.
The input of your interface is the most important thing to deliver the best signal to noise ratio and to retain the spectrum of your guitar pickups.
Some are just fine, some are terrible.... Gladly, today we have cheap options - solutions and there's no need to struggle anymore :)
I still use my old TC Electronic Dekstop Konekt 6. It's unsupported right now, but the input works just fine.
Dimi

Ostermilk
Posts: 1535
Joined: 15 Jan 2015

12 Jun 2019

Yes, it's an important thing to check when buying an interface, to check it has some kind of Hi-Z input or switch. Also note that even interfaces that are thusly equipped are not created equal and of course pickups vary too so it's worth trying out in a bricks and mortar store (if you can) before shelling out the cash.

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nscerri
Posts: 116
Joined: 01 Apr 2015
Location: Malta

12 Jun 2019

I had the same experience when swtiching from M-Audio Fast Track Ultra to Motu 624. It just sounds much better, and same settings from Reason

okaino
Posts: 143
Joined: 04 Jan 2017

21 Jul 2019

Fast track is cool in general i started realizing the pres going bad. the older the fast track i noticed the pres got noisy. I did end up switching to 2i4 too loved it....even love the fact i can have 2 stereo inputs.

To really make tonal choices and develop a good sound youll prolly want an external preamp to bypass the onboard pres on most interfaces under $1000 which isnt a knock on cheaper interfaces...its about making up the difference where u saved in value with a cheaper interface with usually cheaper but not bad pres.
Theres no substitute for a great preamp...especially if you have to record anything in. its the 1st and last chance to get the best out of what you have.

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