Decent audio adapter for older laptop

[fdeck]

It's really shameful, but I have a somewhat older laptop running Windows 10, and I'd like to do some "round robin" recording with the band during the lockdown. I'm wondering what's a decent but inexpensive USB 2 audio adapter. It has to be USB 2 because the USB 3 port on this computer got badly damaged.

Two channels is probably plenty. Mic inputs would be nice but not vital. Inexpensive would be nice because this is not a fancy setup to begin with.

Any suggestions?

 

[seamonkey]

I see Maker Hart's in youtube videos
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B071RZRDH1/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B071RZRDH1
The have several basic and low cost options.

 

[fdeck]

That looks like a cool solution. Unfortunately, I can't get one until the 24th. I think I may have a temporary solution that's more fun than buying something. I'm in possession of a couple of these:

PJRC Store

I've also got the Teensy 3.2 board that goes with it. So I could create my own audio adapter. Morever, I have a couple of old but high quality mic input transformers in my bin, and can of course have as many preamps as I want, thanks to the employee discount. So I might just roll my own.

There's also a 24 bit version out there. If this thing works halfway well, I might upgrade in the future. I don't have any pressing need for 24-bits, but it would make level setting easier.

 

[seamonkey]

Looks fun to me!

Probably not your style of music, but check out this bands post about jamulus over the webs


I'm hoping some new eyes get on this kind of sharing technology and make it easier to set up and use for all.

 

[fdeck]

Very cool. I already made some progress with my audio interface. I dug through all of my stuff and found:

2 XLR input jacks
2 ancient UTC A39 microphone input transformers
Boards that I can modify to make a couple of crude gain stages
The Teensy microcontroller and audio board
Pots, jacks, wire, etc.

All of this stuff new would cost way more than a good commercial unit. But in the spirit of these times I think it's appropriate. The only danger is if it works too well, one of my kids will appropriate it.

 

[pfschim]

The only danger is if it works too well, one of my kids will appropriate it.

high praise indeed !

 

[frnjplayer]

If you end up buying, get something with a USB3 interface. It will work with your current USB2 setup and not become a choke point when you get the USB3 port fixed/replaced