'Budget' soundcard recommendations. For Big Sur.
Hi Maxers!
My old Focusrite Saffire USB card drivers are not compatible with my 2020 Macbook running Big Sur 11.5.2. Could someone please recommend a few lower end soundcards, that will work under Big Sur:
USB power, works with USB-C converter, maybe 4-in/4-out, must have 5-pin MIDI in out. Old school ;)
Pref around 200 £,$,Euro
Thanks
Brendan
. . . I mean, is Focusrite Scarlett my ONLY option??
It's an annoying behaviour of companies to refuse to update their drivers, not? It cannot be so demanding.
I had to trow away perfectly working stuff every now and then just because of those self made "incompabilities".
Well, Focusrite Scarlett units seem almost ubiquitous, and probably for good reason. I have Scarlett 18i20 and I'm very happy with it. I've used 2i2s and 4i4s and they all seem to get the job done with no fuss. These things are best when you can stop to even think about them, right?
There are other choices; I have a Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 (which closely matches your requirements, I think). The controls are on top, so for portable desktop use, its maybe more ergonomic than the Scarletts. On the negative side, its in a plastic housing, potentially not as robust as others. Also, the headphone output is a little quiet with high impedance headphones - but this could well be true for any USB powered unit.
Arturia have a new range out too. I haven't come across any yet, but I have other Arturia gear, and its generally well designed made. That said, just checked their website, and the unit you might want doesn't ship until next year.
I don't know if they have new drivers, but I've been really happy with my Steinberg UR22MKII as a cheap, portable usb audio device. I bought it to use when I didn't want to cart by big one around and it's been great.