Recording interface: Info needed...

[faiz0802]

Hey, I need info on a recording interface to plug and record thru my PC/laptop. Will be moving to a new room in college soon so can't afford bulk, or anything beyond 200$. I'm buying a Cafe walter for practice, but i wanted to record stuff as well, nothing too fancy, just a simple recording interface. Also, would be nice to know if there's any way I can couple the Cafe Walter with it, if possible so that I could play and record simultaneously.

I've heard about these two products, any one got any idea idea about these? Here:

Stealthplug:
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/stealthplug/features/

Lightsnake USB Instrument Cable:
http://www.soundtech.com/products/ho...ding/stusbg10/

Any info on better alternatives, if any, would be extremely helpful to me. Thanks in advance.

[magneezius]

Well first thing if you plan to get a recording interface for your PC then you really don't need to run through your headphone amp. Unless the headphone amp is adding some kinda texture or color to your sound that you love but otherwise is redundant in the chain.
check this out for about $150
http://www.centrance.com/products/ap/

next you're gonna need to download a Simple DAW such as Audacity or whatever suits your needs.

good luck.

[MonetBass]

There are lots of interfaces out there that fit your requirements:
M-Audio

Line 6 POD

Presonus USB Audiobox

The Digidesign interfaces run a little higher. I have the Presonus interface, so I can only vouch for that one. It works great for my home recording needs.

EDIT: The above also come with the recording software you will need.

[faiz0802]

How's the Presonus Audiobox? There are quite a few good reviews about it online....

[Tusec]

I've got a Presonus Firebox which is the firewire version of the Audiobox. Mine sounded good but would spontaneously go silent and require cycling the power to get it to come back. Researching it turned up that other people had similar problems. It also has weak preamps. They're okay with phantom powered condenser mics but don't have enough gain with dynamic types (like SM-57). Presonus includes an app to digitally boost the signal level but that's kind of a kludge IMO.

I've also had the TAPCO usb and firewire boxes but they had shortcomings as well -- no clipping LED on the usb version, no way to monitor the dry signal on the firewire version.

My advice would be to stay away from the low end boxes and save up for something a little better.

[whatiswhat]

M-Audio Fasttrack Pro would be great for you. I have one I use with Ableton Live on my pc for the last 2 years.

[m_bisson]

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/produ...roduct=2740875

There's nothing wrong with that.... I use it for my laptop, recording through Fruity Loops 9, and it sounds good. On my desktop PC with a REAL soundcard I do get better results, but with both PCs running Win7 there is no noticeable lag from the bass to the speakers.

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by faiz0802

How's the Presonus Audiobox? There are quite a few good reviews about it online....

I haven't had any issues with it after using it for over a year. I really like the combined hi-Z/lo-Z inputs (2), and the fact that it has phantom power for condenser mics.

Mine came with Cubase LE4, but they now ship with Studio One Artist, which appears to be Presonus' own recording software. Not familiar with it.

[faiz0802]

What about the Motu Microbook?
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaud...book/body.html

[raymondl3]

the desktop konnekt looks cool
http://www.tcelectronic.com/desktopkonnekt6.asp