Recording Interfaces and Condensers

epictring

Hey guys

I want to start investing in a "home studio" setup.

So first up I'm looking at interfaces, I definitely want a USB interface and something that is compatible with both Mac and Windows (if there's a difference). At the moment I'm only interested in recording Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Piano and Synth. My Roland Juno-Gi has a built in audio interface and it works, but I'm looking at something for better quality recordings.

Secondly I'm on the lookout for a decent condenser microphone. I'm quite clueless in this regard, all I can say is it's mainly going to be used for Female vocals. Price range at about 2k at most I think, but I'll be willing to increase it if it's too low for a decent mike.

Thanks in advance ?

sharonzaz

2k for both or just the mic?

epictring

sharonzaz wrote: 2k for both or just the mic?

2k for mic.

about 3-4k at most for interface. I'm also willing to buy a secondhand interface.

edit: Lets just say I'd like to get the best a budget of a max. of 6k will get me ?

sharonzaz

I advise going for a Rode NT2A if thats your budget.
one very diverse mic.
I got 3 of them (among many others) and they are great!
(2 of the older NT2 and one NT2A)

For a USB card i'd go with a Presonus Audio USB.
they are a little older but cheap and great sounding.
I needed a cheap fix like that recently and got the Focusrite one
but gave it back and took the Presonus due to driver problems and
what i would call a flat sound.
no meat.

the newer Presonus cards are even better, slightly more bucks though.

epictring

Cool! Thanks for the reply.

Ive been looking at both the Presonus VSL22 and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

Which one of these two are better? If I go with them I'll buy new.

sharonzaz

i dont know the 2i2 at all.

greetings

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 beats the Presonus Audio Box hands down (personal experience). The Presonus has buggy drivers and average pres, although some of their higher class interfaces are great.

I don't think the 2i2 can be beaten for the money.

sharonzaz

Frodo Baggins wrote: The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 beats the Presonus Audio Box hands down (personal experience). The Presonus has buggy drivers and average pres, although some of their higher class interfaces are great.

I don't think the 2i2 can be beaten for the money.

well, if i judge by the experience I have with the Saffire 6, then that card is just plain old crappy.
I dont know the 2i2 but my guess is that cannot be THAT much better than the Saffire 6 as it costs less than the Saffire...

Not sure whats your experience with the AudioBox, but it is far from being buggy or average.
Its a damn good unit, and infact in a shootout that I made the presonus was way better quality than the focusrte.
and I do own two dedicated outboard pre's made by both companies and it does surprise me
how much better (IMO) the presonus cards are despite the fact that their outboard gear is of similar quality.

again, perhaps the tables were turned with the 2i2, I'll need to test it first in order to have an objective opinion.

However, I also tested the presonus against both of my RME cards and although it is not better (derr) it wasnt that bad compared...

greetings

That's cool to hear. We have had totally different experiences.

Re the Saffire 6, I think it has something to do with it only being USB1.1.

The 2i2 driver has been flawless.

sharonzaz

Frodo Baggins wrote: The 2i2 driver has been flawless.

that is good news then, obviously is was a matter of time b4 focusrite gets their act together,
afterall they are of great rep in the audio world and i was expecting nothing less than great from them.

symbolofmylife

I've got a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Loving it. My review at http://www.guitarforum.co.za/reviews/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-usb-interface/

Averatu

I agree on the Presonus. I've had opportunity to test a year old Rode mic vs a spanking new one and the deterioration was very obvias. Same with SL. I'd say AKG.