Recording Interfaces Options

[JesseJ]

Okay so Todd has been helping me get setup for my own little home studio so I can record better. The only thing that I am not sure about is what recording interface to get ? originally I thought that I wanted 4 inputs so I record a bunch of stuff like my sisters piano a vocal line and 2 guitar amps. But now that I think about it couldn't I just record the tracks 1 at a time ? Currently I am leaning towards the M-Audio Fast track C400 or C600. I would love to know what recording interfaces you guys use! Any tips would be much appreciated

Jesse

[derper]

Okay so Todd has been helping me get setup for my own little home studio so I can record better. The only thing that I am not sure about is what recording interface to get ? originally I thought that I wanted 4 inputs so I record a bunch of stuff like my sisters piano a vocal line and 2 guitar amps. But now that I think about it couldn't I just record the tracks 1 at a time ? Currently I am leaning towards the M-Audio Fast track C400 or C600. I would love to know what recording interfaces you guys use! Any tips would be much appreciated

Jesse

I'm no home-recording guru...in fact, somewhat of a "noob". But I will only be recording a track at a time, since I can't do full-band practices at my apt.

Knowing that when I was shopping for an interface, I went with a Line 6 KB37. Retails new around $300, the KB 37 is an interface in the form of a keyboard/midi controller!! That way, I can also lay down bass/keys/synth/effects etc!! For the money, I love it, I love the software that came with it, and the capabilities I have with the keyboard as well!!

It doesn't work for everyone. But for a guitarist that is MORE than a guitarist, and would utilize the ability to lay down some keys....and if you don't already have a separate midi controller.

[Todd Simpson]

Okay so Todd has been helping me get setup for my own little home studio so I can record better. The only thing that I am not sure about is what recording interface to get ? originally I thought that I wanted 4 inputs so I record a bunch of stuff like my sisters piano a vocal line and 2 guitar amps. But now that I think about it couldn't I just record the tracks 1 at a time ? Currently I am leaning towards the M-Audio Fast track C400 or C600. I would love to know what recording interfaces you guys use! Any tips would be much appreciated

Jesse

Come on guys! Who has a interface they really like? I've got three of them but only one is still made.

THE M-AUDIO FIREWIRE SOLO
-But only has 1 XLR input.

[Jesse]

Hey Jesse! I recently got me a Focusrite Scarlett i2i, a very nice interface with two inputs, wether mics/guitars, anything goes!
Plus they have great preamps and the device has a phantom switch. Which is neccesary to get the right power to your system for for example condenstator mics!







+ it has an instrument function, which prevents any delay in the sound playback over the monitors(in my case), or your headphones. This is because with this turned on you will hear the signal directly trough the monitors without first being processed a thousand times by your pc.

I don't know too much about the specifics of the technical side, but all I can say is that it definitely works!



This post has been edited by Jesse: Jul 12 2012, 10:58 PM

[Todd Simpson]

Almost forgot about these! They are really spiff from what I"ve heard about them.

http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_in...s/scarlett_2i2/

Hey Jesse! I recently got me a Focusrite Scarlett i2i, a very nice interface with two inputs, wether mics/guitars, anything goes!
Plus they have great preamps and the device has a phantom switch. Which is neccesary to get the right power to your system for for example condenstator mics!


+ it has an instrument function, which prevents any delay in the sound playback over the monitors(in my case), or your headphones. This is because with this turned on you will hear the signal directly trough the monitors without first being processed a thousand times by your pc.

I don't know too much about the specifics of the technical side, but all I can say is that it definitely works!

[JesseJ]

I'm no home-recording guru...in fact, somewhat of a "noob". But I will only be recording a track at a time, since I can't do full-band practices at my apt.

Knowing that when I was shopping for an interface, I went with a Line 6 KB37. Retails new around $300, the KB 37 is an interface in the form of a keyboard/midi controller!! That way, I can also lay down bass/keys/synth/effects etc!! For the money, I love it, I love the software that came with it, and the capabilities I have with the keyboard as well!!

It doesn't work for everyone. But for a guitarist that is MORE than a guitarist, and would utilize the ability to lay down some keys....and if you don't already have a separate midi controller.

Well thats what I was thinking to. Like whats wrong with recording one track at a time ? far as I see it nothing ! So I don't really need a interface with 6 inputs or anything because for guitar it is pointless. Thanks for confirming that I always like to get a second opinion.

Those Scarlett mixers seem to be a very good deal ! I might go for one of those instead of an M-Audio. M-Audio seems to be more pricey. does anybody know why ? Are they that much better quality ? Because for $300 usd I could the scarlett 18i6. Which has 18 inputs, Or I could get the M-Audio C600 which has 6 inputs 8 outputs for $400 usd !?!

[AK Rich]

I dont know much about these either but I have been kind of shopping around as well. I saw a Mackie at my local music store for $200 USD.
Not sure how much they have it marked up but I am sure it is since I am in Alaska and the shipping costs are significant here.

http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxblackjack/

Then there is this one , no idea of the cost but it looks pretty nice.

http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxblackbird/

This post has been edited by AK Rich: Jul 13 2012, 12:50 AM

[JesseJ]

I dont know much about these either but I have been kind of shopping around as well. I saw a Mackie at my local music store for $200 USD.
Not sure how much they have it marked up but I am sure it is since I am in Alaska and the shipping costs are significant here.

http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxblackjack/

Then there is this one , no idea of the cost but it looks pretty nice.

http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxblackbird/

Those look very nice as well ! There is so many company's out there who knows what to buy ? haha time to start reading some reviews

[Blister]

Those look very nice as well ! There is so many company's out there who knows what to buy ? haha time to start reading some reviews

You're right, there are alot of companies selling interfaces & it will pay to do your research. Some factors to consider:
1. How much do you want to spend?
2. You also noted already, recording one track at a time or multiple tracks in one session. Will you be needing to record some or all of the tracks in one session?
3. What are your future goals with the device? A little thought now could save you some money down the road.
4. I didn't even consider the KB37 like Derper's when I was looking but that brings up a good point, whether you see yourself needing a Midi Controller in the near future.(But then again, I needed to be cheap )

I have the Line 6 UX1. It has an xlr & 1/4" plug & has worked great for me. I have also been pleased with the Pod Farm Amp Modeling that came with it. Decent sound with no hiss or hum. I knew I would only be recording one track at a time & also wanted a mic input in case I decided to do vocals in the future.

For basic interface needs, though, I think most of the products out there will work fine. I'm looking forward to hearing what you get!

Don't forget you are going to need a decent webcam, too!

[maharzan]

I have the old Mbox 2 pro that has 2 inputs at a time. But I haven't used it for long now. Recording guitar is all USB these days.

[JesseJ]

You're right, there are alot of companies selling interfaces & it will pay to do your research. Some factors to consider:
1. How much do you want to spend?
2. You also noted already, recording one track at a time or multiple tracks in one session. Will you be needing to record some or all of the tracks in one session?
3. What are your future goals with the device? A little thought now could save you some money down the road.
4. I didn't even consider the KB37 like Derper's when I was looking but that brings up a good point, whether you see yourself needing a Midi Controller in the near future.(But then again, I needed to be cheap )

I have the Line 6 UX1. It has an xlr & 1/4" plug & has worked great for me. I have also been pleased with the Pod Farm Amp Modeling that came with it. Decent sound with no hiss or hum. I knew I would only be recording one track at a time & also wanted a mic input in case I decided to do vocals in the future.

For basic interface needs, though, I think most of the products out there will work fine. I'm looking forward to hearing what you get!

Don't forget you are going to need a decent webcam, too!

Those are some great points! My future recording goals would be 2 amps at once ( Because I love stereo delay ), and vocals. So I guess I would need at least 2 Mic inputs because I want to record my amps by microphone. The Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 seems to be a good pick for me. It has a total of 4 inputs 2 mic inputs and 2 line inputs. It also has4 line outputs, and a headphones input. Not sure what a Midi is but it has a Midi in and out as well !

[derper]

Those are some great points! My future recording goals would be 2 amps at once ( Because I love stereo delay ), and vocals. So I guess I would need at least 2 Mic inputs because I want to record my amps by microphone. The Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 seems to be a good pick for me. It has a total of 4 inputs 2 mic inputs and 2 line inputs. It also has4 line outputs, and a headphones input. Not sure what a Midi is but it has a Midi in and out as well !

The line 6 kb37 does have 2 mic inputs and a midi out, I believe.

[PosterBoy]

[tonymiro]

Those are some great points! My future recording goals would be 2 amps at once ( Because I love stereo delay ), and vocals. So I guess I would need at least 2 Mic inputs because I want to record my amps by microphone...

Many recordings use more than one mic per amp, so you should perhaps look at a minimum of 4. You also need to consider the quality of the mic preamps and the interface etc. It might be appropriate for you to look at a small recording/mixing console from, for instance Allen and Heath or Yamaha.

As Blister says though, what is your budget?

[Todd Simpson]

Many recordings use more than one mic per amp, so you should perhaps look at a minimum of 4. You also need to consider the quality of the mic preamps and the interface etc. It might be appropriate for you to look at a small recording/mixing console from, for instance Allen and Heath or Yamaha.

As Blister says though, what is your budget?

Some very valid points here by Tony. This will be his first interface and he's not looking to spend a lot. I forget what his original amount was in his first email but It think it was a few hundred bux which puts it in the line6 scarlett range. I was on my third interface by the time I'd outgrown two inputs and moved to a mixer board style interface as you suggest. I got a TASCAM M-164UF which (for the price) was unbeatable and I still love it. Too bad they quit making them

AGPOGEE stuf is great and the preamps sound pretty darn amazing. The issue I find with them is that they use ONE KNOB with no markings on it. And I'm fine with that in concept. But, having tracked with my current Mixer/interface, with 13 Full Range Sliders, and tracked on an Apogee with ONE KNOB, I really, really, really , really preferred the Sliders.

TO EACH HIS OWN!

Some folks HATE all those sliders and want ONE KNOB! After all, the DAW has sliders! And Kobs! Right? Most guitarist don't touch the knob anyway I hear. So it's fine. I sometimes use four or five mics on a guitar cab and can glance at the mixer to see all the levels going in pre software. Which is sorta why boards have faders with markings. Visual feedback. But again, this is just me and I was using "old school" mixers long before the "One Knob"





This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Jul 14 2012, 07:59 AM

[JesseJ]

Well my budget is around $300 for an interface. Because I need to buy a mic a mic stand headphones Cables ect. I think one with 2 mic inputs is a good place to start I am thinking I will pick up the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 next time I go to the my music store.

[Todd Simpson]

Well my budget is around $300 for an interface. Because I need to buy a mic a mic stand headphones Cables ect. I think one with 2 mic inputs is a good place to start I am thinking I will pick up the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 next time I go to the my music store.

Sounds like a plan Post some recordings! I've heard good things about how the Scarlett sounds.