I just got 2 volcas (will likely add more) and looking for the cheapest audio interface to my mac/ableton to record and probably send MIDI to each unit from the DAW.
I am looking at this one:
Steinberg UR242 4-Channel USB Interface
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UO ... PDKIKX0DER
What do you guys think? Will this interface cover up to 4 Volcas audio channel into the DAW with the DAW send main MIDI signal to all 4? What other capabilities should I be looking at (withing the $100-150 budget)
I want to get some opinions and make sure this will cover most of my production needs (without being real sure of what my needs will become as I learn, etc.).
Interface connnecting 2 or more Volcas to DAW?
Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever
Hi,
It's a start, and with one Volca you can get away with it. But as soon as you start to add Volcas and want them to use in parallel without replugging all the time, it won't work.
No idea however which device could fit all your needs with a moderate budget. For audio you need at least 4 inputs, twice that if stereo is required (not sure that Volcas are stereo). Sounds like you need a mixer in front of the Steinberg...
For the MIDI, the one port of the Steinberg is fine if you complete your setup with a MIDI Thru box (http://www.midisolutions.com/prodqth.htm) so that you can 'split' your MIDI cable to the 4 Volcas.
Have fun.
It's a start, and with one Volca you can get away with it. But as soon as you start to add Volcas and want them to use in parallel without replugging all the time, it won't work.
No idea however which device could fit all your needs with a moderate budget. For audio you need at least 4 inputs, twice that if stereo is required (not sure that Volcas are stereo). Sounds like you need a mixer in front of the Steinberg...
For the MIDI, the one port of the Steinberg is fine if you complete your setup with a MIDI Thru box (http://www.midisolutions.com/prodqth.htm) so that you can 'split' your MIDI cable to the 4 Volcas.
Have fun.
microKORGXL, Kaossilator Pro, monotribe, SQ-1, volca fm, Kross 88 BK
Alesis SR18, Akai Miniak, Fender Strat, Line 6 Spider II 112, Zoom MS-50G
Alesis SR18, Akai Miniak, Fender Strat, Line 6 Spider II 112, Zoom MS-50G
The Stienberg will cover you for 4 Volcas. I'd suggest looking at the Behringer U-Phoria 404. 4 inputs, 4 outputs, 4 inserts for $99. Behringer is, from what I understand, putting out good stuff these days, and these are getting really good reviews.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UMC404HD
Currently out of stock at Sweetwater, but I'm sure you can find one if you shop around. Looks like a fantastic value for the money, I plan to pick one up once they are back in stock.
That will get audio from the Volcas into Ableton, but you've only got one midi output, you need 4, so you need a midi interface or a through box.
This little midi solutions box is pretty great and will do the trick for $50
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MIDIthru4
All you do is plug the midi output from the sound card into the input on this, and then one midi cable to each Volca. Put each of the Volcas on its own midi channel and you're good to go.
The Quadra Thru is a great solution but the one thing to watch out for is that it is midi powered, meaning there's no plug because it gets its power from midi. Not all interfaces provide midi power. Midi Solutions has a list of interfaces that will not work with their products and the U-Phoria is not on it.
http://www.midisolutions.com/faqs.htm#L ... s.htm#List
Your mileage may var there though. If it doesn't work you can get one of these - http://www.midisolutions.com/prodpwr.htm for $50 but you have to order it directly from MIDI Solutions.
Alternately, to handle midi, you could get something like this MOTU microlite, which seems like a good deal at $139 - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/microlite
The iConnectivity stuff is also good, but whatever you get for midi you need atleast 1 input and 4 outputs.
You'll need 5 MIDI cables (4 if you don't go with the Quadra, and go with something that connects to your computer via USB, like the MOTU, instead). I like this style, with the angled edge for my volcas. A straight one is probably going to sit nicer between the Quadra and the audio interface.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MID310RR (4)
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MID303 (1)
You also need 4 audio cables. I use these -
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CMP105
and these -
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CMP159
Audio cables are a mystery to me, reading explanation about them makes me dizzy. I just know that I have both of those styles of cable and both work with my audio interface, my analog mixer and my Volcas. I have the Beats, Bass, Keys, Sample, and FM.
Lots of information, to summarize -
Audio Interface - $99 if you go with the Behringer
Midi Through Box - $49 if you go with the Quadra Thru
4 MIDI cables - 5 @ $7 ea. - $35
4 Audio cables - 4 @ $6 ea - $24
Total - Around $210. That's a little more than your budget, but it's everything you'd need to get up and going with audio and midi for up to 4 Volcas at once.
Hope that's helpful.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UMC404HD
Currently out of stock at Sweetwater, but I'm sure you can find one if you shop around. Looks like a fantastic value for the money, I plan to pick one up once they are back in stock.
That will get audio from the Volcas into Ableton, but you've only got one midi output, you need 4, so you need a midi interface or a through box.
This little midi solutions box is pretty great and will do the trick for $50
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MIDIthru4
All you do is plug the midi output from the sound card into the input on this, and then one midi cable to each Volca. Put each of the Volcas on its own midi channel and you're good to go.
The Quadra Thru is a great solution but the one thing to watch out for is that it is midi powered, meaning there's no plug because it gets its power from midi. Not all interfaces provide midi power. Midi Solutions has a list of interfaces that will not work with their products and the U-Phoria is not on it.
http://www.midisolutions.com/faqs.htm#L ... s.htm#List
Your mileage may var there though. If it doesn't work you can get one of these - http://www.midisolutions.com/prodpwr.htm for $50 but you have to order it directly from MIDI Solutions.
Alternately, to handle midi, you could get something like this MOTU microlite, which seems like a good deal at $139 - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/microlite
The iConnectivity stuff is also good, but whatever you get for midi you need atleast 1 input and 4 outputs.
You'll need 5 MIDI cables (4 if you don't go with the Quadra, and go with something that connects to your computer via USB, like the MOTU, instead). I like this style, with the angled edge for my volcas. A straight one is probably going to sit nicer between the Quadra and the audio interface.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MID310RR (4)
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MID303 (1)
You also need 4 audio cables. I use these -
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CMP105
and these -
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CMP159
Audio cables are a mystery to me, reading explanation about them makes me dizzy. I just know that I have both of those styles of cable and both work with my audio interface, my analog mixer and my Volcas. I have the Beats, Bass, Keys, Sample, and FM.
Lots of information, to summarize -
Audio Interface - $99 if you go with the Behringer
Midi Through Box - $49 if you go with the Quadra Thru
4 MIDI cables - 5 @ $7 ea. - $35
4 Audio cables - 4 @ $6 ea - $24
Total - Around $210. That's a little more than your budget, but it's everything you'd need to get up and going with audio and midi for up to 4 Volcas at once.
Hope that's helpful.
fun = [Beats, Bass, Keys, Sample, FM, Minilogue, Anode, ER-1, ES-1 MK2, JU-06, Keystep, BeatStep Pro, Lemur, Mackie Mix12FX]