Help with updating audio interface.

[Sliderule]

I am looking to replace my current audio interface.
I currently have a Mobile Pre with 14 year old drivers. I only use the interface for speaker measurements. I have a Beringer EMM8000 mic with calibration information and a B&K 4230 calibrator.
OS is Win11. Laptop is Acer Swift3 AMD Ryzen 5000 with USB-3C and Realtek audio

1. What are the audio interface key specifications for measurement performance?

2, Recommended audio interface products.

TIA

 

[Sonnie]

Are you using REW for your measurement software?

What processor or AVR are you currently using to power your speakers?

 

[Sliderule]

I have a 4-way crossover that connects to the 4 power amps. I feed the signal from the audio interface to the inputs of the 4-way crossover. The midrange and tweeters are electrostats and the dynamic woofers and 24" Hartley woofer is built into the wall.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Not many folks using interfaces and Behringer mics anymore (although I’m one of them). Your best bet is likely to stick to the prevailing wisdom of the day for using interfaces with REW. The following is from an old post at Home Theater Shack on the topic, posted by a guy who had tried numerous devices:

What you (and I) want for REW is a very simple 2-in/2-out USB sound device with phantom power, flat response, and low noise. No fancy DSP effects, mixing, aux sends/returns, none of it. Just 2 ins and 2 outs (especially for Mac users), front panel gain and phantom power, and USB powering (no external wall blob). Simple is better. Simplest is best.

If your old Mobile Pre can’t work with Widows 11, it shouldn’t be hard to find a simple current-model interface that will.

Shockingly, I’m still able to use my old TASCM US-122L with Windows 10, although I’m resolved that my luck will run out eventually and I’ll be forced to spring for a new one.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Sliderule]

Oops am using rew 5.31 sw.

 

[jtalden]

Here is a link to a good site for interface reviews.
The MOTU M2 is a good value if you are looking for a high-performance unit.

For normal acoustic work almost any of the audio interfaces are fine. Just get one with the features you want.

 

[Sliderule]

Thank you all for your help. I have a Motu M2 on order. The mobile Pre has died. I am confused as to how to use the calibration function and what are the connections. My laptop has no audio line outputs but it has a usb C port which supports audio. My laptop has no way to output line level audio. I am assuming that a drive signal for soundcard calibration is coming internally via the usb c cable. I have downloaded the M2 users manual but it is not very detailed. Also I did check the reviews on Amazon for insight. Any suggestions for connections for soundcard calibration and REW settings would be greatly appreciated.

david white

 

[Michael Boeker]

Connect the M2 to the laptop with a USB C cable. You don't need to do any soundcard calibration. The M2 has a completely flat frequency response. You connect the Behringer mic to input 1 and press the corresponding 48V button on the M2 to activate phantom power. Load your mic calibration file into REW like before.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

My laptop has no way to output line level audio.

The interface has audio outputs, which will connect to an input on your home theater system=.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Sliderule]

Thx for all your help. Have M2 up and running fine. Have already run multiple sweeps to start analyzing system

-david white