Mobile audio interface solution for Android phone? DIY Fieldrecorder?

[rock soderstrom]

Hi guys I am looking for a compact and mobile audio interface solution for my (old) Samsung Android phone.

Minimum feature set should be 2 tracks in and out. It can be a commercial ready made or better a DIY module which I would then add mic pres and headphone amplifier. Minimum 24Bit/48KHz, no special drivers (USB class compliant).

It will probably be a USB solution, possibly also Bluetooth?

The important thing is that the interface complements the phone well and that the whole thing remains very practical, mobile and battery-powered.

I would prefer a DIY module that is easy to modify. On the other hand the Behringer UCA222, for example, would be a good start (if the input quality were better). Something like that could be easily modified and upgraded.

My favorite idea would be a base of the same size of the phone on which a snap-in case for the actual phone is then attached. This would turn both parts into a field recorder with all the advantages of integrated apps such as a DAW like Cubase.





The base should be large enough for the input/output connections, the electronics and the batteries (3x9V??). Phantom power is not a must.

What do you think, does anyone know a suitable DIY module or ready-made device that could come into question?

 

[rock soderstrom]

Okay, despite all the DIY romance it doesn't really make sense to build it myself, good battery management is also a bit more complex. Hence the change of plan.

I take an USB audio interface, here a Steinberg UR22 MKII, which offers everything I need and more. The important thing is that this interface, unlike some others, offers a separate power supply option via USB, which makes the whole thing very enduring, flexible and mobile in combination with a 26500mAh USB power bank. The Steinberg UR22 MKII interfaces are available second hand for about 50€, the power bank costs 20€, Cubase 29€ and I already have my old cell phone. That's a lot of power for the money, I put it all in a "men's handbag" and voila, my field recorder with built-in post-production and fast uplink via the internet is ready.

Really good solution for simple field recording, Youtube videos, stereo recording of music and whatever else. Mission accomplished.

 

[TimG]

I have the UR44 and it’s built like a tank.
Also decent preamps on spec. Fine as an interface.
Cubase Elements 12 is gravy.

 

[rock soderstrom]

I have the UR44 and it’s built like a tank.
Also decent preamps on spec. Fine as an interface.

Yes, that's right, the series is solidly constructed, ideal for my purpose. I've used them before, a good, inexpensive interface which, with its preamps and a headphone amplifier, that can certainly compete with professional field recorders.

Cubase Elements 12 is gravy.

Unfortunately also true, if gravy means horrible . Cubase as a whole is getting on in years and seems really old-fashioned compared to other DAWs. I think that's a shame, I've been a Cubase user since the beginning. I will use Cubasis 3 for Android on my cell phone here, which is enough for linear recordings, but nothing more. Android is not exactly a music production environment...

 

[scott2000]

Cubase as a whole is getting on in years and seems really old-fashioned compared to other DAWs

One of Logic's big users touting features Cubase doesn't have and a Cubase user's response refuting pretty much all of it??....
I do wish I could get on with Live more.... Seems pretty capable...