• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Help a beginner decide on a recording interface

E

Earthday

Sep 22, 2005
301
3
38
New Hampshire
#1
I'm new to home recording, the only recording I am familiar with is direct to a 32 track boss unit I no longer have access to.

I will be sending my Music Man Sterling HS (active) through a sansamp BDDI, and will be using my current laptop, a Dell Inspiron which has USB and Firewire and runs Windows XP.

I will also be using an M-Audio Oxygen MIDI Controller, probably through USB.

1) What is a good medium to use in between my BDDI and my laptop? I'm mostly just concerned with transferring a clean signal to my computer. I am happy with the tones I can get through my bass and the sansamp, and don't need extra color. My budget is less than $100 and I buy used.

2) What is a good, free, recording software that is also compatible with a MIDI controller? Is it really worth spending the money for "real" recording software?

3) What should I be looking for in a soundcard? I know I need to replace mine to use my MIDI controller, and want to make an all around smart purchase.

I'd appreciate any help you can give. Thanks.
 
#2
Ive used my 122L with both Win 7 laptop and XP desktop. Great sounding External USB Audio card does everything u need.

Take a look at the Tascam US-122mkII or the older 122L Works well, has midi, quiet balanced mike ins and good S/N for just audio. I've seen the latest US-122mkII on sale for $99 new lately

Invalid Link Removed
 
#4
Earthday said:
2) What is a good, free, recording software that is also compatible with a MIDI controller? Is it really worth spending the money for "real" recording software?

3) What should I be looking for in a soundcard? I know I need to replace mine to use my MIDI controller, and want to make an all around smart purchase.
Click to expand...

Reaper is pretty close to top line recording software and is cheap as chips, worth a look.

If you are using a USB midi controller then it will not be associated with the soundcard at all, you don't need to consider it with your soundcard purchase! USB midi will work with or without a soundcard present..

Basically you want to look for the features you need. For you this might be as simple as 2 in, 2 out usb. The important inside parts in soundcards of that price range are all very similar, do the job pretty well (you have to spend a lot more to see noticable differences!) and don't really need to be worried about. As long as you can get the number of audio channels you want in and out of the computer you are fine. Just look out for any bad-news stories of particular models.

Be careful to read with a pinch of salt though, many user complaints are down to bad setups, not the soundcard itself. A bit of rudimentry knowledge of buffer size/latency, A/D converters and the like will help you make a better informed decision.
 
#5
Thank you, the Tascam unit looks like exactly what I'm after. Thanks for the info on soundcards as well. It seems like the Tascam acts as an external soundcard and should give me what I need. I'll try the software that comes with the Tascam unit, and if I don't like it I'll give Reaper a shot.
 
#6
Im happy with the Tascam, Works well with Reaper ( a great low cost program) also Never bothered with the Lite version of the software it comes with. I use the full cakewalk 5 and also Sonar Producer depending on what I need. Sound Forge for just 2 chan.

Let me know how it goes or if u have probs I may be able to help you with.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back