R8 : Bang for the buck that doesn't feel cheap.

While I was shopping for new audio interface and external DAW controller for my project studio and a sound recorder for my field work I stumbled upon this device... and it obviously has it all.

The build of the device itself is very solid, the buttons, knobs and faders are responsive.

As an audio interface it does its job perfectly, I used it in Windows 7 and Windows 8 x64 with no issues at all. Latency is not a problem, even on a heavy loaded projects. I'm using it in both studio and on stage.

I also use it as a DAW controller with Sonar X2 Producer and it does everything you'd expect it to do. R8's driver installation package has a special option for installing a Sonar plug-in for easy integration. What I miss in this department is mute button for each channel (the buttons above faders seem to work for "solo" only).

For me, it really shines as a portable recorder. I use it mostly to record voice-overs on various locations, recording with a RODE NTG2 and SAMSON Q7. The phantom power switch comes handy. The interface is easy to understand, workflow is very smooth.

Although it's battery powered, it obviously wouldn't be handy for generic field recording due to its desktop nature.

The drum pads, though nice quality and playable, are a bit too small for my taste and I found the built in guitar effects medicore at best.

For the price, a device loaded with so many features is just amazing. It's so flexible that I soon realized I'm taking it almost everywhere the sound is concerned.