Some help please (PC interface!)

[theNoseBleedKid]

Hey guys,

I (today) finally bought an adapter to connect my bass to the soundcard's line in. Not surprisingly the quality isn't great, and latency is like, INSANE. So I've done some searching and some thinking and I reckon I need an interface.

What I'm after is something I can DI my bass, and maybe an electric guitar, straight to the soundcard. No need for many inputs, I can't see myseld ever using more than 2 as we stand, as it's purely for my solo stuff. However, low latency (I think my current $5 plug has about 500-700ms, so pretty abysmal!), and some quality sound and ease of use would be ideal.

Here are the contenders;

1. Echo digital Audiofire 4 - no idea of the price!
2. Presonus Inspire - $250
3. Presonus Firebox - $500
4. Toneport UX2 9or UX1 f I dont need the additional features?) - $400
5. M audio Audiophile - $260
6. Digidesign Mbox 2 mini - $390

So my question is, which of these is the better, for me, for the money? Is it worth shelling out $400-$500 at this point or will the less dear solutions work as well, for me. Taking into account my less than perfect ears!!

[santucci218]

with all those options ill asume you have firewire. Presonus has a 200 dollar firewire interface. either get that, or just a lexicon alpha, beta, or omega.

[theNoseBleedKid]

Know what? You just reminded me to check whether I DO have firewire, and I don't. Is it worth getting it put on for recording purposes (I think it'd be maybe $80-100 for parts and installation?) Seems like it.

[Stumpy]

M-Audio Delta Series is fairly inexpensive and has great options. You can run up to 4 of them in a box (computer) and chain them up. I have had 2 of the 1010LT's in and linked with no issues.

You can use them with nearly all of the big five sequencing programs (Digital Performer, ProTools, etc.) and if you get the 1010LT you will spend only about 200.00.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...10LT-main.html

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tem?sku=701376

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by santucci218

with all those options ill asume you have firewire. Presonus has a 200 dollar firewire interface. either get that, or just a lexicon alpha, beta, or omega.

I would highly recommend NOT going with a lexicon. While there seem to be few people that have no problems with them, a visit to their forum will tell you just what you might be in store for.

http://www.lexiconpro.com/Community/...bfd751191a3e75

I bought one a few months ago, and aside from having a hell of time figuring out how to route it (that might be my own problem though) I absolutely could not resolve latency issues I was having. I wound up keeping it only because it enables me to record 4 seperate drum tracks (as they all record at the same time), but after they're laid down I switch back to my ZOOM B21U. No issues at all with the ZOOM.

I'd also recomment downloading www.ASIO4ALL.com as it's helped me a great deal with latency on all interfaces.

And if you decide you can do with just one stereo input, the Zoom is awesome as you get a pretty decent FX box, tuner, and some beats along with the interface. Pretty cheap too www.americanmusical.com is selling new ones packed for display for $159. I bought one of the their other display models and it's completely new and untouched. Just had to unscrew from a display stand.

[jamesblue]

I like the EMU 0202 and 0404, USB and less than $200. I like the sound better than my much more expensive Mackie Onyx board.

[theNoseBleedKid]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I emailed some audio stores with similar questions last night. They all said that my soundcard was causing the latency and replacing it would yeild the biggest change.


SO apart from the M audio card (which looks great) are there any others I should look into. I looked into lynx but they are too expensive!!!

[Questor]

Originally Posted by Stumpy

M-Audio Delta Series is fairly inexpensive and has great options. You can run up to 4 of them in a box (computer) and chain them up. I have had 2 of the 1010LT's in and linked with no issues.

You can use them with nearly all of the big five sequencing programs (Digital Performer, ProTools, etc.) and if you get the 1010LT you will spend only about 200.00.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...10LT-main.html

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tem?sku=701376

I bought an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 (about $150 street) and have had great results with it. The card has been out for years, so you should be able to easily find it used. It has analog in / out plus S/PDIF out.

[Questor]

Oh yeah. I also use a Tascam 144 USB interface for my portable recording setup. I still prefer the Audiophile since it doesn't rely on USB (even 2.0 is still slow compared to a PCI card directly in the chassis).

[theNoseBleedKid]

Thanks all, I checked Ebay and there are plenty of M audio PCI cards, so I might just snag one for about $100 if I'm lucky!!

[werbo1]

I like the Lexicon Lambda.