Best USB Audio input devices?

[Adenosine]

After purchasing a few of the Amazon Usb audio adapters that turned out to be junk, I thought maybe you guys already have the answer. I’m going to be using a powered USB hub and need 4-6 line-in adapters for my radios.

What do you recommend for adapters?

 

[belvdr]

Why not a small USB mixer like the Xenyx series?

 

[Adenosine]

Why not a small USB mixer like the Xenyx series?

I'll take any advice, moving everything into a rack and adding some radios. I've run out of audio inputs into the computer.

 

[w2lie]

I had the same question last year and finally purchased a solution just a month ago. I'm very happy with what I went with. Seems to work exactly how I need it and replaces my old hardware nicely.

ProScan - M-Audio or Focusrite Audio Interfaces?

Hi All, I'm in the middle of building a new PC and bringing all my live feeds and recording scanners over from the old machine. The old machine had a PCI card that interfaces with an M-Audio Delta 1010 LT. This is a great card which allows for 10 inputs and 10 output. The beauty of it is I...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[belvdr]

I'll take any advice, moving everything into a rack and adding some radios. I've run out of audio inputs into the computer.

I have a Xenyx Q802USB. 8 channels in and USB into the computer. Larger models are available.

 

[JSTARS03]

Do the Xenyx Q802USB 8 inputs show up in the Windows Mixer and then Proscan?
I had purchased a Tascam 8 input USB that requires special drivers and special software to use.
So the 8 inputs do not show up in Proscan only DAW software that supports ASIO.

It looks like Phil's does.
Thank you

 

[w2lie]

I was going to ask the same question. How many inputs do you get in Windows? It looks like from the specs, you might only get 2 or require DAW with the Xenyx Q802USB. You need to look at inputs and outputs.

I spoke with someone at Sweetwater and Musician's Friend when I was trying to find hardware and while they didn't fully understand what it was I was trying to accomplish, both of the sales reps suggested staying away from mixer boards and using them as USB input devices. They were both suggesting USB Capture devices like the Scarlett or M-Audio devices.

And you have to be careful when looking out the outputs. Some hardware counts MIDI and other ports we cannot use for scanner audio as inputs to the computer. And even more require additional units to get the full number of computer inputs that they are claiming on the box.

So far, I'm very happy with the Focusrite I purchased. While it is a fortune compared to the cheap USB devices from Amazon, the headache of having the inputs freeze or fail is now gone. (knock on wood). I have 6 independent inputs that I can use for any recording or capture software I need.

 

[belvdr]

Do the Xenyx Q802USB 8 inputs show up in the Windows Mixer and then Proscan?
I had purchased a Tascam 8 input USB that requires special drivers and special software to use.
So the 8 inputs do not show up in Proscan only DAW software that supports ASIO.

It looks like Phil's does.
Thank you

No, this is an analog device. You control everything through the mixer hardware. Some digital mixers can do what you ask, but they get pricey.

 

[JSTARS03]

The Tascam US-16x08 looks cool and that was what was recommended by the Vendor
but it does not work with Proscan.

US-16x08 | 16-IN/8-OUT USB Audio/MIDI Interface | TASCAM - United States

TASCAM US-16x08 USB Audio/MIDI Interface: Ultra-Low Noise, 24/192 Audio, MIDI I/O, USB Bus Power, and Reliable Multitrack Recording Capability.

tascam.com

 

[Adenosine]

These are great choices, but dropping $3-400 on it isn’t being realistic for myself. If the answer is the cheaper mixer and if Windows can see the multiple inputs then that seems the likely path. Still we are just talking about streaming scanner audio too, so it surprises me there isn’t a halfway decent usb audio stick out there yet.

 

[Adenosine]

@w2lie I have been looking at the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, but I can only see 4 inputs that would be useful for a scanner feed. How did you get 6? I would prefer something rack mounted but, the used 8i6 marked is pretty good.

Edit: OK I think the used ones that were showing were not the 8i6's. The 3rd Gen has 4 inputs in rear and 2 up front.

 

[w2lie]

@w2lie I have been looking at the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, but I can only see 4 inputs that would be useful for a scanner feed. How did you get 6? I would prefer something rack mounted but, the used 8i6 marked is pretty good.

Edit: OK I think the used ones that were showing were not the 8i6's. The 3rd Gen has 4 inputs in rear and 2 up front.

Correct, 4 on the back and 2 on the front. These come into proscan as stereo ports (1/2, 3/4, 5/6) so you have to pick the input pair then pan hard left or hard right to isolate the channel.

I am noticing that after a reboot, I have to reconfigure the focus rite to allow Windows to see the ports. This means launching feeds after reboot requires some manual maintenance. I have to open a ticket with the FR group to see how I can hard set the configuration to allow windows to access to ports 3 - 6 at all times.

Also, audio sounds great on my end, but some people are saying the audio is low. I don't understand that complaint because audio sounds good to me. I'd like to assume this is a setting on the user end where they have to set their volume higher, but I'm redlining the inputs and when I listen to my own feeds they sound good.

Here are my streams through the Scarlett:

Nassau County Fire - East Live Audio Feed

Nassau County Fire - East Live Audio Feed on Broadcastify.com

www.broadcastify.com

Suffolk County Fire - West Live Audio Feed

Suffolk County Fire - West Live Audio Feed on Broadcastify.com

www.broadcastify.com

Suffolk County Police Departments Live Audio Feed

Suffolk County Police Departments Live Audio Feed on Broadcastify.com

www.broadcastify.com