Can the RME ADI-2 Pro FS be used as a USB audio interface?

[tcpip]

Basically, I use a Scarlett 2i2 today, where I pump out two channels of audio, which go out through its DAC to the analog outputs, and simultaneously read two channels of input through USB, and these come in from the mic/line inputs of the 2i2.

Can I do this with the RME ADI-2 Pro FS? Do the analog inputs support mic input with 48V phantom power? Can I pump out one audio stream from the computer to the analog outs and read an independent stream from the analog inputs?

 

[staticV3]

Do the analog inputs support mic input with 48V phantom power?

No.

Can I pump out one audio stream from the computer to the analog outs and read an independent stream from the analog inputs?

Yes.

 

[tcpip]

Thanks, got it. So it can be used as a USB audio interface, but it won't support mics. So its awesome ADC can't be used for mics.

 

[staticV3]

So its awesome ADC can't be used for mics.

It sure can, using an external mic pre.

 

[tcpip]

It sure can, using an external mic pre.

Yes, agreed, but one needs to find a mic preamp which will not add noise or distortion to the signal to the extent where the superb spec of the RME will be wasted. And it needs to be basically zero cost, since all my money will have gone into the RME.

 

[unpluggged]

one needs to find a mic preamp which will not add noise or distortion to the signal to the extent where the superb spec of the RME will be wasted

You seem to not realize that your recording environment and almost any microphone are orders of magnitude noisier than mic preamps of almost any decent audio interface, not to mention the ADI-2's ADC stage. What's your use case, exactly?

 

[tcpip]

You seem to not realize that your recording environment and almost any microphone are orders of magnitude noisier than mic preamps of almost any decent audio interface, not to mention the ADI-2's ADC stage. What's your use case, exactly?

I agree, and I'll shut up.

My use case does not require huge SNR -- I use my calibrated mic to measure speaker SPL and distortion. I'm a DIY speaker designer on weekends.

Suggest to me some good, no-nonsense two-channel mic preamps?

 

[unpluggged]

My use case does not require huge SNR -- I use my calibrated mic to measure speaker SPL and distortion. I'm a DIY speaker designer on weekends.

Suggest to me some good, no-nonsense two-channel mic preamps?

I see. Well, a simple well-performing analog mic preamp has become a niche thing nowadays, so I think it would be easier and cheaper to obtain a simple audio interface for your purpose.

 

[markstein]

A RME Fireface will be more suitable for your use case. What about a UCX II?

You get mic preamps plus very powerful Totalmix software to manage your I/Os.

 

[AnalogSteph]

My use case does not require huge SNR -- I use my calibrated mic to measure speaker SPL and distortion. I'm a DIY speaker designer on weekends.

Which is honestly something that could be done with a Steinberg UR22C, SSL2 MkII, or anything else that has a nice, predictably flat frequency response no matter the gain. Or if you need digital gain control, some upper-midrange interface in the 300-800$ range (e.g. Audient iD14 MkII, Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre, or a UAA Apollo if you insist). No idea why you thought you needed a top-flight line-level ADC/DAC like an ADI-2 Pro for this. You're dealing with frequency response deviations in the dBs, fairly modest levels of distortion and a good bit of microphone noise.

 

[LesterHiggins]

Thanks, got it. So it can be used as a USB audio interface, but it won't support mics. So its awesome ADC can't be used for mics.

Not all mics need phantom power. Dynamic mics don't and most ribbon mics don't. You could also probably use a USB mic. (ducks, runs)

 

[unpluggged]

Not all mics need phantom power. Dynamic mics don't and most ribbon mics don't.

ADI-2 Pro has no mic preamps. Good luck with connecting a dynamic mic to its line input.

 

[AnalogSteph]

ADI-2 Pro has no mic preamps. Good luck with connecting a dynamic mic to its line input.

I mean, it should have input noise of -119 dBu(A) at the +4 dBu setting... it's not earth-shattering but I have definitely seen mic inputs worse than that on USB audio interfaces. Self-noise of 27 dB SPL with a -54 dBV/Pa mic doesn't sound unusable. You can connect an external phantom power adapter and happily use a condenser at this point.

 

[unpluggged]

You can connect an external phantom power adapter and happily use a condenser at this point.

That would be an interesting thing to try out when I will finally find a decent inline battery phantom power source to make a PoC setup with a pair of Rode M5 mics to be used as a wireless stereo system with Rode Wireless Pro transmitters. Xvive P1 was a candidate, but the other day I stumbled upon a review that shows it outputs about 20 V spike when powering on. And I don't want my delicate and expensive audio gear to be fried

 

[LesterHiggins]

ADI-2 Pro has no mic preamps. Good luck with connecting a dynamic mic to its line input.

I mean, it should have input noise of -119 dBu(A) at the +4 dBu setting... it's not earth-shattering but I have definitely seen mic inputs worse than that on USB audio interfaces. Self-noise of 27 dB SPL with a -54 dBV/Pa mic doesn't sound unusable. You can connect an external phantom power adapter and happily use a condenser at this point.

But he said it so curt and condescending, surely that means he's completely correct?

 

[dlg]

It sure can, using an external mic pre.

I am doing exactly what you indicate but need some help. I have a Demeter mic pre amp. I want to take the audio output from the pre amp and pass it into the RME ADI-2 PRO. Then I want to pass the converted digital signal into Logic through the USB port on the RME. I am very new to this and could use some basic simple to understand instruction. Thank you.

 

[Rja4000]

Suggest to me some good, no-nonsense two-channel mic preamps?

If you don't want to go the UCX II route:

Find a MacKie 802 VLZ(2/3/4) second hand.
They go for a bargain, most of the time.
Then use a TS jack, half through, in the channel's insert I/O, to bypass the noisy EQ and channel fader (as described in the manual) and connect it to the RME input.
Any model from 802 and up will allow that.
Older VLZ iteration will also work.

 

[Rja4000]

A RME Fireface will be more suitable for your use case. What about a UCX II?

You get mic preamps plus very powerful Totalmix software to manage your I/Os.

No to mention the excellent 9 band parametric EQ per channel !

 

[dasdoing]

I agree, and I'll shut up.

My use case does not require huge SNR -- I use my calibrated mic to measure speaker SPL and distortion. I'm a DIY speaker designer on weekends.

Suggest to me some good, no-nonsense two-channel mic preamps?

the Scarlett is more than enough for this

 

[Audiofire]

Can the RME ADI-2 Pro FS be used as a USB audio interface?

Both the Scarlett 2i2 and RME ADI-2 Pro FS are USB audio interfaces. Also don't know why you are writing about the one from RME. There could be another reason, which has not been shared with us.