I've been trying to find a low-latency Hi-Fi consumer-oriented mixer to combine a handful of digital and analog gear. So far, the Creative X7 is the closest thing I've been able to find, but even that falls short of my requirements. This has led me into the realm of "audio interfaces".
What I want to do is mix these sources together:
The MOTU UltraLite-mk5 is just within my budget and seems to fit even my "best-case" requirements, with USB, 3 pairs of analog lines on the back, as well as 2x digital in and 2x digital out (all of which appear to be S/PDIF-capable and simultaneously usable, unlike on the Scarletts).
My main concern is the issue of +4 dBu vs -10 dBV line level standards. The analog sources I want to mix are all -10 dBV consumer devices but most of these "audio interface" devices are intended to accept +4 dBu pro inputs. Some mixers I looked at has physical switches on the input to select between these specs, but it doesn't seem to be terribly common. I read the manual for the UltraLite-mk5, and it states that: "Each line input can be digitally boosted up to + 20 dB. This allows the inputs to easily accommodate +4 dB and -10 dB reference levels". But won't that just result in an elevated noise floor from the input devices?
Is the MOTU UltraLite-mk5 a good choice for my usage? Suggestions for alternatives are welcome. Thanks for reading.
What I want to do is mix these sources together:
- 1x USB Windows PC stereo source
- 1x (2x preferred) S/PDIF digital stereo source
- 2x (3x preferred) consumer line level -10dBV analog stereo sources
- 1x headphones (50 ohm)
- 1x (2x preferred) S/PDIF digital stereo
The MOTU UltraLite-mk5 is just within my budget and seems to fit even my "best-case" requirements, with USB, 3 pairs of analog lines on the back, as well as 2x digital in and 2x digital out (all of which appear to be S/PDIF-capable and simultaneously usable, unlike on the Scarletts).
My main concern is the issue of +4 dBu vs -10 dBV line level standards. The analog sources I want to mix are all -10 dBV consumer devices but most of these "audio interface" devices are intended to accept +4 dBu pro inputs. Some mixers I looked at has physical switches on the input to select between these specs, but it doesn't seem to be terribly common. I read the manual for the UltraLite-mk5, and it states that: "Each line input can be digitally boosted up to + 20 dB. This allows the inputs to easily accommodate +4 dB and -10 dB reference levels". But won't that just result in an elevated noise floor from the input devices?
Is the MOTU UltraLite-mk5 a good choice for my usage? Suggestions for alternatives are welcome. Thanks for reading.