X4 or X6 (and is the X6 suitable as a desktop interface/controller)?

[marcouad]

It may seem like I spamming the forum at the minute, but I‘m really not. These are genuine questions that have been knocking around my head for a bit and I will be acting on the best/right answers.

I have dedicated home studio in a garden building. I record myself (vocals, guitar, bass and keyboards) and collaborators (electronic drum kit and sample pad). I will never record commercially or record any other band, though I may do the odd demo for local solo artists/duos

I don’t need surround sound

I may want to, but really don’t know if I’ll ever need to, record with more than 2 mic pre’s at once. I’ll need two for the Sphere LX, of course

I will be getting rid of an RME Babyface Pro, a Twin X Heritage and possibly my Satellite Octo. The X6 would probably cover my DSP needs as I’d most likely commit the input the channel strip/dynamics to ’tape’ and so free up the 6 DSPs for mixing/mastering and I also have the Signature Native Bundle.

Is an X6 OK as my desktop controller with 2 pairs of monitors?

I can currently purchase the X6 with free LX mic for £150 more than the X4 with LX mic

Thanks

M

 

[rodd]

the x6 is a great interface if you don’t need more than 2 mic pres, or the portability of the x4. You get better routing and more outputs, which would suit your dual monitor setup, and of course more dsp. Since you’ll be using the LX mic, you’ll appreciate the fact that you can leave it connected to the mic inputs all the time, and leave your line-level devices connected all the time as well. When you need to switch inputs you just tell it to switch from mic to line. You’d have to unplug things on the x4. The x6 sounds like a good fit for you.

 

[UniversalAudio]

the x6 is a great interface if you don’t need more than 2 mic pres, or the portability of the x4. You get better routing and more outputs, which would suit your dual monitor setup, and of course more dsp. Since you’ll be using the LX mic, you’ll appreciate the fact that you can leave it connected to the mic inputs all the time, and leave your line-level devices connected all the time as well. When you need to switch inputs you just tell it to switch from mic to line. You’d have to unplug things on the x4. The x6 sounds like a good fit for you.

^this^

 

[stop.d]

perhaps consider keeping your Twin in addition to the x6? an extra pair of preamps could come in handy as you say and it functions well as a monitor controller plus (as i would imagine) the x6 would be screwed into a rack, having the Twin with 2 easy to access inputs may prove useful. or perhaps leave the Sphere connected to the Twin- a Duo is perfect for a Sphere with DSP sharing, there’s not many plugin configurations that you couldn’t use, esp with verbs on the aux channels being powered by the x6…

 

[marcouad]

perhaps consider keeping your Twin in addition to the x6? an extra pair of preamps could come in handy as you say and it functions well as a monitor controller plus (as i would imagine) the x6 would be screwed into a rack, having the Twin with 2 easy to access inputs may prove useful. or perhaps leave the Sphere connected to the Twin- a Duo is perfect for a Sphere with DSP sharing, there’s not many plugin configurations that you couldn’t use, esp with verbs on the aux channels being powered by the x6…

Yeah, selling the Octo (and RME) and keeping the Twin X Quad is a good shout. 4 mic pre‘s and 10 DSPs. I like your thinking. My wallet however…

 

[marcouad]

Well, I’ve only gone and done it, haven’t I?

I bought the X6 today along with the free Sphere LX
I’m going to sell my RME Babyface Pro FS and my Satellite Octo and keep the Twin X Quad for now so I have a desktop controller 4 Unison inputs and 10 DSPs. It‘s also very cool to be able to pick up the Twin X from the studio at night and carry on with headphones in the house. (I’m a terrible sleeper, so might as well take advantage)

Today I picked the Ocean Way Mic Collection, the extra mics from the DLX and the Neve 1084 all for £75 with a thank you voucher.

I think today went pretty well. Thanks for the steer from all those who offered advice

 

[rodd]

Well, I’ve only gone and done it, haven’t I?

I bought the X6 today along with the free Sphere LX
I’m going to sell my RME Babyface Pro FS and my Satellite Octo
I’m going to keep the Twin X Quad for now so I have a desktop controller 4 Mic inputs and 10 DSPs. It‘s also very cool to be able to pick up the Twin X from the studio at night and carry on with headphones in the house. (I’m a terrible sleeper, so might as well take advantage)

Today I picked the Ocean Way Mic Collection, the extra mics from the DLX and the Neve 1084 all for £75 with a thank you voucher.

I think today went pretty well. Thanks for the steer from all those who offered advice

nice! you done good . enjoy, the Sphere mics are great and the x6 with the Twin is a great combo.

 

[UniversalAudio]

Well, I’ve only gone and done it, haven’t I?

I bought the X6 today along with the free Sphere LX
I’m going to sell my RME Babyface Pro FS and my Satellite Octo
I’m going to keep the Twin X Quad for now so I have a desktop controller 4 Mic inputs and 10 DSPs. It‘s also very cool to be able to pick up the Twin X from the studio at night and carry on with headphones in the house. (I’m a terrible sleeper, so might as well take advantage)

Today I picked the Ocean Way Mic Collection, the extra mics from the DLX and the Neve 1084 all for £75 with a thank you voucher.

I think today went pretty well. Thanks for the steer from all those who offered advice

Congrats!!!

keep us all posted on how things go.

 

[mdee]

I've been happy with my X6. Coming from a MOTU 828 I was used to
having inputs on the front so I bought a Mamba XLR 16 TRS Combo.
It's pricey but works well.

 

[marcouad]

Congrats!!!

keep us all posted on how things go.

Thanks. I’ve been having an internal dialogue for a while (and a not so internal one) about which way to jump. There’s been a lot of critical noise about UA on Youtube and all sorts of unsettling dialogue about the future of the company. I’ve collected a goodly number of plugins both new and with used hardware so I’m kind of relieved that I’ve finally made a good decision and can focus on the things that matter. To be honest I’ll probably never get near to fully exploring the possibilities of the UA hardware and software I own, much less outgrow it. I’d also be throwing a lot of money away by changing systems. So glad it’s settled. No turning back now

 

[UniversalAudio]

There’s been a lot of critical noise about UA on Youtube and all sorts of unsettling dialogue about the future of the company.

By a bunch of people that have no idea what they're talking about and are just after clicks.