Best interface for recording direct bass

Honestly, any modern interface designed by a reputable company is made to be as transparent as possible. There isn't a big difference between them.
I've used a Focusrite Scarlett Gen 2 for about 2-3 years to record bass and guitar. No issues.

 

I agree, most any modern interface will give you a good clear tone for bass.

You can consider some other treatment in the form of using a good DI or preamp in front of the interface. I use a REDDI DI on everything I record. Fantastic tone (for over $700, yeah it better be!...). I've recorded through an old Edirol interface, an X32 and lately, a Presonus SL64S and the 32R, as well as others that I'm not aware of, being just the session player. I get the same awesome tone in every case.

If you don't want to use a DI/preamp in front of the interface, there's some killer plug-ins that are tailor-made for bass. Someone makes an Ampeg plug-in that I haven't personally used, but it sounded great on the recordings I heard. I can't remember who makes it. Ampire, maybe?

Good luck.

 

I use the scarlett i818. It's great.

 

I've recorded bass direct into my Presonus Audiobox USB with much success.

 

I'd agree that I've found all reasonable quality modern interfaces to work pretty much the same for recording DI bass. If you want to spice up your recordings I would echo Geri O above and suggest a high quality DI/preamp. The REDDI suggested has great reviews, as does the Broughton P15 - I use a Tech 21 VT Bass Di and I find it gets a good sound as well for less dough.

 

As stated, you're not going to hear a lot of difference in the recorded sound of your bass from one interface to the next... a preamp might be a better buy.

What's your budget? What don't you like about the sound you're currently getting?

 

The Clarett interface is better than the Scarlett interface. Your recording chain is only as good as the weakest link. To me, room treatment should be the first expenditure, if it’s a home studio, then an interface, monitors, etc. Are you recording just a bass guitar?

 

I use a cheap focusrite 2i2 and I’ve tracked in some high dollar studios in the past. Agree with some others that there’s not a huge difference between what a lot of the name brand affordable ones sound like compared to much more expensive ones. And it’s hard to justify spending like $1000 on an interface for such subtle improvement in performance Over one that cost $150. Even little upgrades for example the next model up from the 2i2 does have midi. And that might be useful for some people but the keyboard I have in my studio has its own USB Out so even that feature was kind of pointless for me.

 

I got this horrible thing that's, like, the first of the current breed of usb audio interface, and even it sounds as good as anything else.

 

Buy the best you can afford. The Scarlett 2i2 is what I use. It's ok, not very loud, but for DI bass it works. My problem has always been getting a good tone once the audio was recorded. I could never gel with amp sims. Now I use the DI from my Rumble and it sounds exactly like the sound coming from the cab in my room. This saves me a lot of time.
Once you mix the song all bets are off and one interface or another doesn't make too much of a difference. At the end of the day what counts is how well you know your gear.

 

Sanjay C’s Youtube channel has excellent coverage of all things regarding small studio recording. Suggest you pay it a visit.

 

I use a Steinberg UR22 – works great for me.

 

I use an Antelope Audio Orion Studio Rev2017 and it sounds great and has room to record the whole band when needed, if that is of any interest to you. I highly recommend it and it has built in effects that you can use which don't take any computer processing power to add.

 

I’ve had a Clarett 2Pre for a few years and it sounds great. I have a Motown DI going into it for some warmth. I don’t use any plugins or fx for bass but it comes with a whole bunch of stuff, eq’s, compressors etc. As everyone says it’s worth investing in a pre of some kind to add some color to the dry tone. Brainworx Ampeg plugins sound nice if you like an amped tone.

 

I like my focusrite Scarlett. I use a window 10 PC with no driver issues and good sounding recordings. - full disclosure, my needs are basic, so I don’t do anything complicated.

 

I think there are differences, namely the quality of the preamp. I don't have wide enough knowledge to make a true recommendation, but I use a UA Apollo Twin, and I am very happy with it.