Audio Interface with features to grow in to...

[zenabi]

I'm just starting out and looking for an Audio Interface. I expected such things to be just a pre-amp but I was recommended to consider the BOSS GT1-B as another option, which has some features I think will be useful in the future.

So I thought I'd start a thread to find out if there are any other devices that I should be considering, either around this price or even above it if they are worth paying extra for.

Or is it better to buy a separate Audio Interface and Effects Processor? Which means I could buy a decent AI now and add the EP when I need to.

I'd rather pay a bit more for something that will last a while, rather than buy something that I'll need to replace any time soon.

 

[bwildt]

I would vote for a separate interface and effects boxes for modularity. For an interface, my requirements are: 2 input channels with both xlr and 1/4 inputs (combo jack OK). You never know when you might need 2 inputs for something like a keyboard or drum machine. Other requirements for me are a line/instrument switch on each input, phantom power, a mix control for instrument/playback, and separate volume controls for output to amp/speakers and headphones. You might as well also have MIDI, just in case.

I have a Scarlett 2i4 interface that has all of that. I think most of the Scarletts do, except for the Solo model.

 

[uOpt]

Yeah, get a real interface. For guitar/bass I like the iRig HD 2.

 

[seamonkey]

IMHO
In most cases it's best to record at least one track raw and unprocessed.
This will give you the ability to add character during mixing.
I don't think the Bass can send separate Raw and Processed signal to the DAW.
You'll get stuck with the Boss processed sound which can be much harder to fix in a mix later, over using a raw track to start with in the first place.

 

[zenabi]

I think a decent Audio Interface is enough for now. I just don't know which one.

It will definitely be for a Windows PC, but it seems like some are more stable than others. Then there's a question of latency, with some being better than others. Plus I honestly don't know about the differences in the various software that they each include. The more I read the more difficult it gets.

Software aside, I keep deciding on just going for a "cheap" one for now, but then I think if I spend a bit more I could get a bit better, then a bit more to get a bit better and then I'm back to looking at what I can't really afford!

 

[uOpt]

I think a decent Audio Interface is enough for now. I just don't know which one.

It will definitely be for a Windows PC, but it seems like some are more stable than others. Then there's a question of latency, with some being better than others. Plus I honestly don't know about the differences in the various software that they each include. The more I read the more difficult it gets.

Software aside, I keep deciding on just going for a "cheap" one for now, but then I think if I spend a bit more I could get a bit better, then a bit more to get a bit better and then I'm back to looking at what I can't really afford!

You really want an interface that does not require software such as drivers. You don't want to be cut off updates at some point.

As I said earlier, for guitar/bass the iRig HD 2 is perfectly fine, runs with a size 16 buffer on my Mac, and can do 24 bit 96 KHz. Dead simple, just plug and play, no drivers.

 

[zenabi]

You really want an interface that does not require software such as drivers. You don't want to be cut off updates at some point.

As I said earlier, for guitar/bass the iRig HD 2 is perfectly fine, runs with a size 16 buffer on my Mac, and can do 24 bit 96 KHz. Dead simple, just plug and play, no drivers.

Thanks, but it sounds more geared towards Apple though, including the name.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I think a decent Audio Interface is enough for now. I just don't know which one.

It will definitely be for a Windows PC, but it seems like some are more stable than others. Then there's a question of latency, with some being better than others. Plus I honestly don't know about the differences in the various software that they each include. The more I read the more difficult it gets.

Software aside, I keep deciding on just going for a "cheap" one for now, but then I think if I spend a bit more I could get a bit better, then a bit more to get a bit better and then I'm back to looking at what I can't really afford!

We used to call that, Creeping Featurism.