Hi guys, so last night we had a massive power surge in our area. Casualties this morning include my laptop charger and my audio interface.

It was a creative emu 0202 usb. Used for my monitors and to listen to music/movies from my pc.

So, I'd like some opinions of replacement options, budget is not more than 2k. Don't need anything super fancy, just better than the usual gaming sound cards, USB and able to record from my Kemper..

Fire away and thanks

Focusrite Scarlett will always feature, the 2i2 if you don't need midi, 2i4 if you do (or the extra outs for monitors). Sound quality is excellent at the price point, but I was slightly dissapointed with the drivers (laptop, Win7). You may need to run a external powered usb hub to get the most out of it on your laptop.

I'm quite chuffed with the Roland Quad capture - similar feature set to the 2i4 (although only one Hi-Z instrument input + 1 mic input, instead of two on the scarlett), but I'm finding it just works better on my setup.

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 gets a lot of positive reviews. Read good things about the Steinberg UR-22 too. Also in the price range are PreSonus, m-audio, Lexicon USB interfaces - I know nothing about these.

Since you've got the kemper you're probably not overly hassled about low latency performance for live monitoring of virtual effects? I found there's a trade off between performance, stability and latency (RTL) on the handful of USB interfaces I've used.

Perhaps give some thought on how you plan on using the interface - DI from the kemper or mic'ing it up? Do you need two quality mic pre's? Do you use the interface solely on audio production PC or is it in a multi-purpose environment (entertainment mainly, occasional recording use).

If $ was no object, I reckon there's only one USB interface...RME babyface (R8000...gulp) that covers all bases.

I've got a scarlett 18i20, same pre's as the 2i2, sounds good and is efficient. plus has direct no latency monitoring which would be useful for when you record your kemper. and you can find the 2i2 quite cheap secondhand, sometimes around the 1k mark.

I love my 2i4, can't go wrong with a 2i2 either I reckon

Muhammad wrote: Thanks for all the input guys, @v8 it's multi purpose and the occasional recording so I guess a scarlett 2i2 seems the go to? Can I run my monitors off it?

Errrrmmm, I'm hesitant to recommend the scarlett for multipurpose, only because I had issues with the drivers on my setup, from what I read my experience wasn't entirely uncommon...others will differ. (win7, ultra low voltage laptop) Mac's were reported to be far more stable. It seems I have dodgy/low power from my usb port's which caused endless hassles, apparently you use a quality power usb hub like people are doing to run it off ipad's/tablets. I'm now using a roland quad capture and it works better with the ulv lappie.

The sound quality of the scarlett is outstanding! And the price is too, think Paul Bothers are doing them for 2k and 2nd hand it's in the region of 1-1,5k depending on the age.

Here's a pic of the back of the 2i2 : .

I imagine you have powered monitors, so 1/4in to 1/4in is easy enough? I liked the flexibility on the 2i4 with rca's and 1/4in's and I need midi so I went that route, adds about 6-700 randela's to the price though.

V8 wrote: It seems I have dodgy/low power from my usb port's which caused endless hassles, apparently you use a quality power usb hub like people are doing to run it off ipad's/tablets. I'm now using a roland quad capture and it works better with the ulv lappie.

Anything that uses USB bus power is trouble, trust me. >

Strange, my laptop is pretty old - think it's a duo core with Win7. I've been pretty happy with my 2i4. I do use a bulky power supply so perhaps that helps?

Charlie4 wrote: Strange, my laptop is pretty old - think it's a duo core with Win7. I've been pretty happy with my 2i4. I do use a bulky power supply so perhaps that helps?

When USB power works it works. The problem is a lack of standardization when it comes to usb chip-sets, so some manufacturers don't use the same methods/circuits and you end up with inconsistent results.
The USB stranded is not designed for industrial or "life critical" use so it is not really regulated.
(I have had heaps of trouble from clients assuming usb will work as a industrial bus :'()

I have a 2i2 and use it for direct recording (you may run into clipping issues if you have a guitar made for the br00talz with super high output pickups), or recording with mics and Teamspeak and games and the whole shebang. Works excellently in Linux and Windows and OSx (for me anyway).

So I took a bit more time investigating my emu - and guess what - the USB hub it was plugged into was blown - got a new hub and its working perfectly - so... I guess crisis averted for now.

To be honest I like my EMU - has really clean sounding DACs and is decent enough for media and stuff - my only gripe is the headphone jack - it's pap - my 32ohm DT770 doesn't sound great through it (and the 32ohm is designed to be driven by an ipod!)

So maybe an upgrade is still on the cards..
I'll keep an eye out for a cheap scarlett 2i2

but thanks again for all the good advice ?

Doomsower wrote:

V8 wrote: It seems I have dodgy/low power from my usb port's which caused endless hassles, apparently you use a quality power usb hub like people are doing to run it off ipad's/tablets. I'm now using a roland quad capture and it works better with the ulv lappie.

Anything that uses USB bus power is trouble, trust me. >

I do now...such a headache to isolate my particular issue - as you mention there isn't really a cast in stone USB standardization - the ports on my old Dell latitude power the scarlett 101%, the Dell inspiron 13z not so much.

I'm trying to do something a bit silly making up a mobile virtual rig, but with some blood, sweat and beers, I think it'll be cool. Early signs are encouraging if thoroughly unreliable!

Muhammad wrote: So I took a bit more time investigating my emu - and guess what - the USB hub it was plugged into was blown - got a new hub and its working perfectly - so... I guess crisis averted for now.

To be honest I like my EMU - has really clean sounding DACs and is decent enough for media and stuff - my only gripe is the headphone jack - it's pap - my 32ohm DT770 doesn't sound great through it (and the 32ohm is designed to be driven by an ipod!)

That's a result! If it works and you like, that's all that matters. I cannot go back to "stock" onboard audio after hearing how much of a improvement a decent DAC is.

Of the three I've tried this year, the scarlett impressed me, rig kontrol was good and the roland is okay...but the roland has a party trick of having a ultra low latency streaming driver the other two cannot match, which I want for driving vst's live.