SPL Crimson 3 USB audio interface, black
I purchased this as an upgrade to the Steinberg UR28m which I've had for around 10 years. I was specifically looking for a flexible desktop interface with the ability to switch between two sets of monitors and with 2 headphone outputs, one of which I use to separately control my sub.
Switching between the two monitor outputs is easy using the "A to B" button on the interface.
Having 2 headphone outputs means I can route my sub to the 2nd, this means I can drop the monitor level and dial up the sub to check the deep sub range easily. Again this was very simple to set up and works well.
A few positives of the interface:
It looks and feels great, really premium. I read a review saying it was "laptop sized" which it definitely isn't, half a laptop maybe and that space is taken up with nicely spaced rotaries and buttons.
The phonitor matrix is massively useful if you mix or produce a lot of music on headphones. It gives the sound a much more balanced and accurate sound, a very valuable addition.
A couple of negatives:
The driver isn't quite as good as the Steinberg ur28m driver. For example the option to release ASIO driver when application in background doesn't always work as it should. I regularly switch between audio applications and sometimes the driver isn't released which has caused some workflow problems. I haven't found a fix as yet.
The Crimson only has input meters, I think output meters, or a single switchable output meter would have been a nice addition.
The Crimson 3 gets 5 stars as the sound quality, flexibility and superb phonitor matrix make up for the minor issues I've encountered. Definitely recommended.
Switching between the two monitor outputs is easy using the "A to B" button on the interface.
Having 2 headphone outputs means I can route my sub to the 2nd, this means I can drop the monitor level and dial up the sub to check the deep sub range easily. Again this was very simple to set up and works well.
A few positives of the interface:
It looks and feels great, really premium. I read a review saying it was "laptop sized" which it definitely isn't, half a laptop maybe and that space is taken up with nicely spaced rotaries and buttons.
The phonitor matrix is massively useful if you mix or produce a lot of music on headphones. It gives the sound a much more balanced and accurate sound, a very valuable addition.
A couple of negatives:
The driver isn't quite as good as the Steinberg ur28m driver. For example the option to release ASIO driver when application in background doesn't always work as it should. I regularly switch between audio applications and sometimes the driver isn't released which has caused some workflow problems. I haven't found a fix as yet.
The Crimson only has input meters, I think output meters, or a single switchable output meter would have been a nice addition.
The Crimson 3 gets 5 stars as the sound quality, flexibility and superb phonitor matrix make up for the minor issues I've encountered. Definitely recommended.
July 11, 2022
|
Andrew M.
