Reddit reviews Mackie Audio Interface, Onyx Artist 1X2 USB Audio Interface (Onyx Artist 1-2)

You certainly can go cheaper than that. You’re just plugging in a mic/guitar/headphones yeah? If so you can use pretty much any USB interface with 2 inputs. Should be around $100

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07664LMPQ/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074F2V6VJ/?th=1&psc=1

That’s your best option, the cheapest option would be to continue using your Yamaha mixer, and to connect the LINE OUT from the mixer to your computer using a cheap USB converter like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KW2YEI/

An audio interface with balanced outputs would work best. The have outputs for monitors and headphones.

A DAC/Amp combo would work too, but you may get more noise.

I suggest any of the following for an interface:

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Onyx-Artist-1-2-Interface/dp/B07664LMPQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538615994&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mackie+onyx+artist&dpPl=1&dpID=41g1YyxjwFL&ref=plSrch


https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UMC202HD-BEHRINGER-U-PHORIA/dp/B00QHURUBE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538616381&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=behringer+u-phoria&dpPl=1&dpID=41LnZHDgziL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56EA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538616639&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=scarlett+2i2&dpPl=1&dpID=41L6SD2-BwL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/Steinberg-UR22MKII-2-Channel-USB-Interface/dp/B017MVUAHM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538616711&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=steinberg+interface&dpPl=1&dpID=41NuXCXoVGL&ref=plSrch

For a DAC/Amp combo, I suggest the following:

I personally own this and it is great.
https://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-G2-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B01N14SY65/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538616843&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=origen+g2&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Optical-Coaxial-Amplifier/dp/B072JJT7SF/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1538616970&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=dac%2Famp&dpPl=1&dpID=41iOCuvyjdL&ref=plSrch

http://www.schiit.com/products/fulla-1


https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-o2-sdac-dac-amp

or this:
http://www.schiit.com/products/magni-1
plus this:
http://www.schiit.com/products/modi-1

Im looking to buy amp for my headphones as well as option to connect my guitar/microphone in it. What would be best option for my Seinheiser hd599?

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Interface-Bundle-Polishing/dp/B074F2V6VJ/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Onyx-Artist-1-2-Interface/dp/B07664LMPQ/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UM2-BEHRINGER-U-PHORIA/dp/B00QHURUBE?th=1

I would get the K & M Microphone Stand with Telescopic Boom Arm. IT may be easier to get a desk based stand but this will remove the microphone from physical contact with the same table you are using for your computer/recorder/mouse to prevent noises from translating from the table through the stand to the microphone and into your recording.

I would urge you to go higher than $100 for the microphone to a large diameter broadcast dynamic microphone like the re20 or the re320. You can get a package from BSWusa.com to include the shockmount and the pop filter that's the best deal around but if you want to stay under $100 per item I would recommend either the Samson Q2U or the sE Electronics V7.

If you use the sE Electronics V7 I would recommend one of the Makie Audio Interfaces. The Mackie Onyx Artist is currently under $100 but if you wanted to futureproof yourself with the ability to expand to one additional microphone I would highly recommend going with the Mackie Onyx Producer instead. The Samson Q2U can output via USB and XLR at the same time so you could go into the Mac and a XLR connection (like a portable audio recorder) at the same time with no need for the Mackie Interface.

The next one is outside of your price range but I would highly recommend that you invest in a portable audio recorder. Yes you can record straight to your Mac but I've seen so many software recorders fail and lose episodes that a hardware recorder is generally best in my opinion. For your application I would either recommend the Zoom H5 at $270 or the Sound Devices Mix Pre-3 at $650. Either will work for you but the preamps and options on the Mix Pre-3 are pretty sweet. Also, if you upgrade to the re20 or the re320 the preamps on the Mix Pre 3 won't be working as hard and might end up giving you a cleaner sound. The Mix Pre-3 can also act as an audio interface to your Mac as you record at the same time so there would be no need for the Mackie Audio Interface. You can use the Zoom H5 without an audio interface as well but you cannot record on the Zoom H5 and pass the audio to your Mac via USB at the same time.

There's other things I would consider as well but if it was me I'd grab the Zoom H5, the sE Electronics V7 and record straight to a the Zoom.

Take a look at the Mackie interfaces. Ive no idea why they don't get more attention. I switched from Focusrite to a Mackie Producer 2.2 and it's far better than my Scarlett ever was

Mackie Onyx Artist Audio Interface

I would get this interface. https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Onyx-Artist-1-2-Interface-x/dp/B07664LMPQ/
It has a good soundcard, you can connect your microphone over xlr.
Also right on the money regarding your budget.

Personally I use the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for my microphone needs, but I dont run my headphones on it.
And like Oratory said, stay away from the cheap Behringer gear.

I use the mackie onyx artist 1-2. I've tried a few others; I first used a scarlett solo 2nd gen, but those have issues with windows 10. They glitch out your audio after a while and make it sound robotic.

I also used the Shure MVi for a bit but ended up giving that one to my wife for recording her videos with her iphone. It does the job nicely for her.

The mackie is a great interface for $100. It's been rock solid since I got it and the build quality is amazing.

I may get an audient id4 one day, but that would really just be a luxury since my mackie is working so well.

[This is a really good interface] for $50(https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UMC22-BEHRINGER-U-PHORIA/dp/B00FFIGZF6). Probably one of the best deals on an interface. It's decently better than the $30 one I linked to earlier.

For cables I like lyxpro. I've using them since I started using xlr mics and they've been very reliable. Good connectors, sturdy, flexible jacket and comes in different colors.

Thanks for the response! I was looking at this DAC. It looks like it also has a preamp built in. https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Onyx-Artist-1-2-Interface-x/dp/B07664LMPQ?th=1&psc=1
Would this be a good option?