We’re shopping for an audio interface for use with Hauptwerk. Requirements: 8 or 10 independent channels of output. DSP with parameteric EQ so we can tailor the output to the room.
Hauptwerk uses ASIO drivers for low latency (essential when playing!). My question is: will we see 10 independent channels in Hauptwerk for the UR816C audio device, or only 8?
Trying to figure out where to spend money on speakers…
What is your intention? DSP for outputs is not a common feature in interfaces.
8 or 10 independent channels of audio. Hauptwerk routes different stops/notes to different channels to simulate how a pipe organ has multiple sources of sound.
We need an EQ to adjust the output to suit the room. Bass in particular is too boomy.
As mentioned above, this is not possible with many interfaces.
Maybe you want to check out some RME interface like the Fireface UFXIII.
They offer a DSP that allows to put 3 or 9 band EQs in outputs and they have the best drivers in town and long lasting support. The latter is something that Steinberg usually struggles with.
You get 8 analog outs but can add additional AD/DA converters via ADAT or MADI to get 16 or 24 or 72 outs.
If you run Hauptwerk as a VST in about any DAW, you can/should use the EQ from that DAW before outputting to your speakers.
There are even a number of more complex room correction VSTs you could consider instead of only an EQ.
Alternatively, you could use speakers with integrated DSPs in them made specifically for room correction.
I use myself a set of Neumann KH80DSP with the matching KH750 sub… HIGHLY recommend if it matches your use case and budget!
I know Genelec also makes good ones (with their SAM/GLM options) and IKMultimedia/iLoud has a very capable lineup that is more affordable.
In any of those cases, any plain vanilla USB interfaces with your 10 ouputs will do fine.