Do I need a new interface or do I just have GAS?

doc-phil

I have been considering buying myself a new recording interface to replace my Line 6 Toneport GX (which has, and still is, serving me well).

Essentially all I need is one input for recording guitar. I've toyed with the idea of having an xlr input for recording a mic, but don't really have any intentions of busting out any vocals or recording a mic'd amp any time soon.

I have been looking at two models of recording interface, either the Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 or the Presonus Audiobox 22VSL. While I was leaning towards the Focusrite, I have read many reviews that complain of the pre-amps clipping at even the lowest of levels with humbucking pick-ups and that a DI box should ideally be run in front of it to lower the signal (alternatively reduce the volume on the guitar, not something I am interested in doing). So it seems at this point that I would go for the Presonus.

What I want to know is this... will this be worth the cash or am I just wasting my money? Are the pre-amps in the Presonus good enough to create a noticeable difference in tone compared to guitars recorded through my Line 6?

My only real complaint with the Toneport is that I have to connect it to my monitors with a a 1/8" jack into a splitter then into 1/4" adapters into my monitors... the cable was fairly cheap and I get some crackling from my monitors occasionally. I feel that this has an adverse affect on my quality of monitoring.

I don't want to just move from one entry level recording interface (+-R1000) to another (+-R2500).

Mo-Facta

You've got the GAS! ?

Honestly, at that level there's not too much difference in quality. Stick with your Line 6 if it's serving you well.

Cheers ?

AlanRatcliffe

Mo Facta wrote: Honestly, at that level there's not too much difference in quality. Stick with your Line 6 if it's serving you well.

+1. Mostly more money gets you more features. So if you don't need the extra features...

I'd save up and start looking at the pro level single channel mic pres with an instrument DI input and digital outs.

doc-phil

Mo Facta wrote: You've got the GAS! ?

Honestly, at that level there's not too much difference in quality. Stick with your Line 6 if it's serving you well.

Cheers ?

Sigh... thought so ?

I also have a POD HD400 which can be used as a recording interface, and that can be connected to my monitors via 1/4" jacks with decent guitar cables. I should really use it more than I do... I just wanna buy stuff! ?

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
Mo Facta wrote: Honestly, at that level there's not too much difference in quality. Stick with your Line 6 if it's serving you well.
+1. Mostly more money gets you more features. So if you don't need the extra features...

I'd save up and start looking at the pro level single channel mic pres with an instrument DI input and digital outs.

Can you point me in the direction of such a unit? Or maybe don't... not sure whether that is a good idea considering my symptoms.

BMU

It's psychosomatically induced bullshi*t ? (You have GAS!)

You have a great guitar (hellraiser w/ EMGs, awesome), great amps (POD HD, X50) and a recording rig such as was only possible in high $$ studios 20 years ago.

I'm afraid the only logical course of action is to sit down and create great stuff. 8)

doc-phil

Thanks all for talking me down from the ledge and saving my money, I'll stick to what I have and not make any silly purchases.

At the end of last year I bought another 22" LCD monitor for dual viewing pleasure... silly purchase? I think not! I can now GFSA while I 9gag (And it has its uses for recording and tracking purposes within Reaper) ?

Big-G

As has been mentioned, for recording guitar, this would not be much improvement, but may offer some improvement for mics, and in particular vocals. However, this improvement is not doing to be massive. As suggested, your best bet would be to keep an eye out for an 'used' interface that's significantly higher up the food chain.

The other thing is to add a decent channel strip or mic pre to your current setup, which will offer significant sonic improvements, especially for all other sources besides guitar. I think the UX2's are actually quite decent for direct recording of guitars, but will never be better than a mic in front of an amp and cab, for which the mic preamp will really come into its own.

I started out around a year ago with a Presonus inspire interface, but quickly upgraded to the Digidesigns 003R interface. A significant improvement, but I still felt it necessary to add some preamps to this setup to improve things further. After much jiggling and experimentation, I settled on a Focusrite ISA1 preamp, and two DBX 376 channel strips. I am very happy with this setup, and have been selling off the other preamps I had left over.

I would recommend the likes of the DBX 376 as a cost effective solution if you have the money, and if you can find one around your neck of the woods. They retail at around R10k, but I picked mine up for less than R3k used in really good condition from a hire company who were clearing out gear they no longer used.

Failing that, just stick with what you have, as its decent enough for the job, without having to fork out a shed load of cash on other gear.

Regards
G!