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Choosing a good interface

Bluebard

Bluebard

Oct 21, 2014
402
103
30
Buffalo
#1
Hey bass dudes,

I'm pretty new to recording. I've been messing around for a while with a Behringer guitar link and Audacity, but I want to step it up a notch and start recording quality songs with some musician friends. I'll be playing bass, perhaps occasional vocals, some simple keyboard sounds, etc. After lots of research, I've almost settled on Reaper as my DAW of choice. To get me started, a friend gave me his old Digidesign MBox 2 Mini, which has been a disaster as far as drivers and compatibility. I wasted two days trying to make it work with Reaper and then with Protools (which my friend also gave me), downloading driver and driver, changing settings etc. without success. So I've decided I need a fresh start with a new interface.

So I'm looking for a decent USB interface for $100 or less, for the purpose of recording bass, vocals, synth, guitar, and anything else. I have Windows 8.1, 64-bit. I've come up with several options already, but after the wasted time with the Mbox, I really want to make sure that I make a good decision as far as compatibility and ease of use with Reaper (and possibly other DAWs).

Here are the options I've come up with:

Focusrite Scarlett Solo

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (normally over $100, I know, but I've found some good deals)

Lexicon Lambda

Lexicon Alpha

M-Audio Fast Track

M-Audio M Track

Alesis iO2

So those are the options I've come up with. If any of you have any experience with or knowledge of these, I'd greatly appreciate if you shared! All advice is appreciated! And if you have any suggestions for interfaces of similar cost and quality, that would be great too!

Which of these do you think is the best option and best value, as far as sound quality (especially capturing bass tone), ease of use, compatibility with Reaper (and possibly other DAWs if I want to experiment), and whatever other factors you think are important?

Thanks a lot!
 
#2
I have experience using the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 and 18i8. Both work just fine with Reaper (I use it as well). The only possible issue with the Scarlett 2i2 is that it does not have a -10dB pad like the the 2i4 (and 18i8) which can sometimes be an issue with active basses (many have reported clipping problems with active basses using the 2i2 no matter the gain setting of the interface, I've seen this too). Could also be an issue with the Solo, but I've never used that model. If you use a mixing board before the interface, there would be no problem.

I don't have any experience with the other interfaces, but Focusrite is just one of many good interfaces out there. Any decent interface should have good audio quality as well as work well with Reaper and other popular DAWs. HTH
 
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#3
wlater said:
I have experience using the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 and 18i8. Both work just fine with Reaper (I use it as well). The only possible issue with the Scarlett 2i2 is that it does not have a -10dB pad like the the 2i4 (and 18i8) which can sometimes be an issue with active basses (many have reported clipping problems with active basses using the 2i2 no matter the gain setting of the interface, I've seen this too). Could also be an issue with the Solo, but I've never used that model. If you use a mixing board before the interface, there would be no problem.

I don't have any experience with the other interfaces, but Focusrite is just one of many good interfaces out there. Any decent interface should have good audio quality as well as work well with Reaper and other popular DAWs. HTH
Click to expand...

Thanks wlater! I have a passive bass - have you heard anything about clipping problems with passive basses, or just active basses? and does the 2i2 have a pad function at all?
 
#5
I also have a 2i4, and agree the pad is quite useful to have. Plays nice with all my DAW programs, good sound quality, small foot print. The ring meters are nice also.

I can clip the input with my passive basses if I really try, but that's what the meters are for. In normal playing it's a non issue.
 
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#6
I once had a Mackie Onyx 820i, which is a really great interface I can only recommend.
It's basicly a mixer with integrated soundcard.
It got: 3x mic/line inputs, 2x line inputs (DI), 3x stereo inputs, 3x inserts, balanced direct outs on each channel, 2-band EQ, 1x parametric, 2x auxes (switchable pre/post), switchable phantom power per channel, control room out and internal talkback microphone.

Kind of regret selling that, although I am pretty happy with my current Edriol FireWire FA-101 too.

Out of the ones you mentioned I only have personal experience with the M-Audio Fast Track, and it's good for what it is, a simple inexpensive interface.
The only downside, beside it's limited simultaneous inputs, is that while you can record stuff in 24 Bit it only goes up to 44,1 sample rate, where as the professional standard is 24 bit 96 Khz sample rate.

If I were you, out of the ones you mention, I would probably too chose Focusrite, as previous posters has suggested. Heard good things about it.

And by the way may I compliment you in your choice of DAW.
Reaper is an amazing program for the prize with some really good sounding effects actually.
In my opinion many of the effects that comes with Reaper by default sounds better than a lot of the standard effects that comes with Cubase.
Personally I use Cubase though (would have chosen Logic if I had a Mac, but my previous Macbook Pro died completely after spilling some beer over it :()

One thing more, no matter what interface you chose I would recommend you buying some sort of fairly good pre-amp too that can both handle instruments and microphones, as in by far the most interfaces the build in pre-amps leave a lot to wish for.
 
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#8
wlater said:
Only clipping problems reported were active basses. You should be fine with your passive. Right, no pad function at all with the 2i2 as I understand it. Just a line/inst switch.
Click to expand...

my passive les paul guitar has much more hotter output then my active yamaha bass with eq on 12 oclock. so, there are focusrite solo usb interface with pad button and it cheaper then 2i2 and, of course, then 2i4.
 
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#11
I wouldn't get anything that can't at least take a stereo signal, even if you're not typically expecting to need that function. But everybody probably will at some point, so if nothing else it will have better resale value than something with just a mic input and a line input.
 
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#13
Omega Monkey said:
I wouldn't get anything that can't at least take a stereo signal, even if you're not typically expecting to need that function. But everybody probably will at some point, so if nothing else it will have better resale value than something with just a mic input and a line input.
Click to expand...

Yes, to record the synth you may need two channels. To record the drums 10 may not be enough )) But, it was about 2i2 (which is already above budget). With it, the simple recording of a guitar can be a challenge. Will have to choose.

walldaja said:
Difference between Scarlett Solo and 2i2 is solo has one volume control for monitor and phones vice one for each with 2i2.
Click to expand...

Yes, but this difference is obvious.
 

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