I was researching some products for recording guitar and bass. I want something that makes guitars and basses sound better than going from guitar -> line in. I do my recording on my Macbook with Garageband. I was looking at something like this (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-MobilePre-USB-Portable-Audio-Interface?sku=701368) but I'm not sure if it's what I need. We play metal so my main concern is getting a good tone for the guitars, which are distorted.

that would work. i'd suggest also getting a sansamp bass driver di for bass. amazing tone! for guitar you have either mic'd amps to record or use a pod type device to go into your m-audio interface.

remember though, while something like this will work, since the price point isn't high the preamps will not be studio-class. that's not to say it won't sound good it's just something to consider. i haven't used this unit so maybe others who have can chime in with more personal experience.

do a search on this forum too. this kind of question has been asked many times.

In that price range I would suggest a used Mbox. The Focusrite preamps in it sound fantastic.

Here's a link to metal some songs we did with an Mbox, everything but drums were recorded with it.

http://www.myspace.com/narcoticself

^ good advice. i used an mbox for a few years too. i thought it was more expensive though. ??

Just get a good soundcard and go line in. Thats really the cleanest most professional way to do it.

My M-Audio soundcard does my bass plenty of justice going Bass>Yamaha PB1>Mixer>Line-In

Now that they brought out the Mbox2, you can get the original Mbox's for about $150. You'll need to update the software to at least 6.9 (free), but 7.0 ($75) implements some really nice new features, especially if you compose with MIDI.

Worth every penny to run McDSP's RTAS-only plug-ins.

First off nothing gives you a a better improvement on your sound than a nice outboard preamp. Secondly, depending on what your budget is I would combine mic'ing a cab up along with using a cab simulator. Great combination. It gives your guitar/bass a really full sound. Thirdly, duplicate your guitar/bass track and set one track slightly behind (20 miliseconds) the other while panning each track 75% to opposites sides. This will give you an even fuller sound. Good luck!

Duplicating guitar tracks then panning is called "big mono" and usually doesn't sound as natural as making two (or four) passes at a rhythm track and panning those.

When used on bass, this duping and panning can cause weird things to happen with the low frequncies in a mix. IMO, bass is best run in mono down the middle. Stereo bass tends to confuse listeners.

I'm surprised nobody answered direct box. Impedance matching is key. I've recorded with and without them, and with always sounds better.

But the channel your using also helps greatly and the M-Audio stuff is pretty dang good bang for the buck. I Believe that the Line input on that channel does the same as a direct box, but not every recording device does.