Audio Interface - Help me decide

FatBoy · 2008-07-23T15:20:30+00:00

Ok so I have been working overtime like a madman the last month and a bit, so I should have some extra cash at the end of the month. Next things on my list is an audio interface of some sort. I want to record acoustic+electric guitar, vocals and maybe some extra percussion noises (bongos / hitting a G# frying pan with a tune fork). I don't have a great soundcard in the PC, so I thought the USB ones would be better. Is this OK? I am not trying to make studio quality recordings here, just playing around mostly. However if these boxes are going to give me incredibly crap sound please let me know. I am currently looking at the following options EMU Tracker USB2.0 http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=17511 EMU 0202 USB2.0 http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=610&subcategory=611&product=15186 I may get a MIDI keyboard in future so maybe I should look at one with MIDI capabilities? Novation NIO 2|4 http://www.novationmusic.com/products/audio_interfaces/nio_24/ Behringer B-CONTROL AUDIO BCA2000 USB 2.0 http://www.behringer.com/BCA2000/?lang=ENG (discontinued in the US & Canada but I may be able to get it locally) Edirol UA-4FX USB (link seems to be dead) Any other options I should consider? My budget is +- 2K

FatBoy

I'm getting one too! Spoke to the man at Bothners and he managed to find two more and is keeping one for me YAY.

Now just to find a firewire card, they are out of stock.

Riaan

Same here... I have to make a work related trip to CT tomorrow, it just happens to be on the same day there's a sale on at Bothners... ?...it was written in the stars!

Renesongs

Un-used PCI 3 Port Firewire 1394 Card with cable R200 - Interested?

FatBoy

I am Rene, I'm going down to Bothners tomorrow, can I meet you somewhere? I don't know the southern subs well, will have to use a map to get to bothners, but ya let me know if we can meet up somewhere and I'll take it off your hands.

Renesongs

check your personal post thingy

Riaan

What a day...just got back from CT and Bothners. Just as well I was a bit pressed for time, otherwise I would have spent even more money...

Got the Edirol FA-66, and also couldn't resist the Edirol MIDI keyboard controller - I've been thinking about getting a keyboard controller for a long time now.

The prices at Bothners are really good. Would be wise to leave your credit cards at home unless you have superhuman self restraint...

Funny thing is, as if on cue, me and Fritz arrived simultaneously to get our Edirols!

FatBoy

HAha yea that was weird Riaan, the dude there was like "did you guys come together?"

Anywhoo I am all set up, got a firewire card (sorry Rene I was a bit pressed for time) and I am now working on my first recording! Thanks for all the help guys.

Riaan yea I never go into stores with a credit card anymore, especially not music stores with huge specials going on! I take cash (but I still take a little more than I am planning to spend). So all together I got the Edirol FA 66, a Proel prostage mic stand and a pair of Roland RH 200 headphones all for just under R3500. BARGAIN I tell ya!

I must say I like the Plumstead branch of Bothners, was a way better experience than the N1 City branch.

MIDI keyboard controller will be next on the list! Those things look really cool Riaan, I saw in your eyes that you are not leaving without one!

Now I'm gonna go play with my new toys!

Renesongs

No problem about the firewire card - I thought you were unable to source one and I happen to have one in stock. ?

Martyr

I don't know what the balanced bit means, but can I plug in a nice condenser mic at some stage? Don't those need the bigger 3 pin plug things

you do get mic connectors(3 pin) to straight jack...

i have a ESI Maya 44 EXTERNAL(USB) ATM,but i'm looking into swopping it for an INTERNAL one...it's a really nice sound card(IMO),it does what i need it to do...i paid R1000 for mine,new,at my local music store...

Renesongs

The Maya has balanced input you do get three pin to 1/4" stereo jack. Comes in useful when you a condenser mike and need phantom power Maya can supply to the first balanced channel

I have I internal Maya 44 that I would be willing to swop for any external provided it is the same(I want to go portable) what area are you in

glug

What is the diffrence between WDM and ASIO drivers? Is ASIO just an upgrade from WDM?

deanBailey

I'm sorry if this has been brought up before because I haven't read the whole thread yet but,

I'd suggest the Presonus Firestudio, Class A preamps, 8 in's

It's probably one of the best interfaces at that price.

andrewjbryson

WDM (Windows Driver Model) - developed by Microsoft

ASIO (Audio Streaming Input Output) - developed my Steinberg

WDM is not quite as good/reliable and supported as ASIO ....
DAW's are also far more compatible with ASIO

Wessel

@ dean. How much does the Presonus Firestudio cost ? And where can i get one ?

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