Decent USB Interfaces and Software Recommendations?

[Matthew_84]

On my 12 year old laptop, I had a Tascam US-122L interface, which was okay, but randomly disconnected from the PC somewhat often, a ripped copy of FL Studio 10, and Audacity for all of my practicing, recording, and composing needs.

I just got a new Windows 11 PC and would like a new two-channel USB interface - something that isn’t too expensive, but is low noise, and has a good quality signal.

I’d also like new, decent composing/sequencing and recording/editing software with the option for various plugins (instruments, compressors, reverb, etc)… I don’t really want to use an old, ripped copy of FL anymore, and I’ve never been a huge fan of Audacity.

I am really just a hobbyist and am mainly using this for practicing at home. I would like to compose/record my own stuff but I have no interest of publishing it publicly so I don’t want to spend big bucks (like much over $500 CAD, and the lower the better), but I also realize that if my recordings or compositions sound like they’re of low quality then that may de-motivate me as well.

Any recommendations for any of these would be welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

[furym]

I know several of the multi-effects pedals will work as an interface as well. Focusrite is pretty decent and has a low cost option for minimal inputs. For software, I can’t help for windows but Logic is great for Mac.

 

[Aloe]

starter interfaces from Focusrite and Presonus are pretty good. if there's a chance, you will have two people in studio someday, get the one with two headphone outputs and don't cry twice.

Cakewalk is Windows-only and free now, give it a try, if you don't want to spend bucks now.

 

[Hummergeist]

Yeah, the Focusrite Scarlett range is hugely popular and works great, at a good price. That'd include a free copy of Ableton Live Lite, which is Mac + Windows, but as @Aloe said, Cubase is a great choice.

 

[Fernando Costa]

SSL 2 (Solid State Logic) and Universal Audio Volt 2, two relatively new interfaces and in my opinion the best 2 x 2 on the market. Maybe Cubase works better in a Windows environment, but there are many free DAWs that work very well.

 

[DirtDog]

SSL 2 (Solid State Logic) and Universal Audio Volt 2, two relatively new interfaces and in my opinion the best 2 x 2 on the market. Maybe Cubase works better in a Windows environment, but there are many free DAWs that work very well.

Another vote for the SSL2.

 

[And I]

Reaper is good affordable DAW software.

 

[filmtex]

A Presonus USB96 has two inputs and comes with a copy of StudioOne Artist for $99.

 

[fu22ba55]

For Windows, I'd say Reaper for sure, or Ableton Live, or just bite the bullet and get a ProTools bundle.

But Reaper will be a big step up from Audacity.

 

[Cave Puppy]

Almost any newer interface that meets the minimum reqs at this point should work for you. Reaper is an excellent daw - cheap, robust, excellent native plugins, and customizable with LOADS of tutorial videos for it. If I wasn't so ensconced in Logic I would use Reaper exclusively.

 

[getbent]

I started with GarageBand v1 when it came out and moved over to Reaper a few years ago. It was ~$65 USD, sounds good, fairly easy to use, and I've found tons of good plug-ins on www.plugins4free.com

 

[Killing Floor]

I’m just now replacing a steam powered Tascam with an interface, looking at Presonus and a couple other. I use a few different midi devices for drums and keys so I’m going to figure out the right DAW for me. Good luck.

 

[SoulReflection]

Focusrite for quality and Reaper for initial cost (free), quality and free updates. I have never looked back...

 

[MrLenny1]

Yup, what Aloe said.

 

[CosmicRay]

I've been using a Motu M2. Works for me...has useful features.
They also make an M4.

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[Stuey3D]

I use a Positive Grid Riff personally, it’s only a single channel interface unfortunately but it does have a couple of nifty tricks up it’s sleeve.

It’s a universal interface with a dedicated ASIO driver and not using the generic ASIO4ALL driver, but it’s designed to be used with Positive Grid’s Bias FX and in Bias FX the control dial on the interface can be used for other controls such as changing your tone presets etc. I use mine for Rocksmith via an ASIO hack but other ASIO apps will work perfect.
It also has a direct/software blend so you can hear your raw signal before it hits software.
It also has a few mild EQ presets that are built in prior to software, I like to use setting 1 which is mild compression, setting 2 is a mid scoop, setting 3 is a mid boost these will work no matter what software you use so for me mild compression tidied up my playing into Rocksmith.

It is also iOS compatible and the Bias FX runs on that too, plus it also works with GarageBand and other audio apps too and it’s also bus powered so an iPhone and the Riff plus some headphones or little micro amp and you are sorted for a mobile rig that could be used for gigging too.

It has a 6.3mm instrument in, and a stereo 6.3mm to connect to an amp/mixer desk & a 3.5mm headphone port too.

For me personally I like it and use it daily, but as it’s only a single channel it may not be right for you. It’s really only designed for guitar/bass hookup to software although I do often leave it connected to the laptop as a sound card as it has better output than the laptops own one.

 

[Matthew_84]

Thank you everyone for your responses so far!

quick question, why do some USB interfaces not have a monitor balance to mix between the input and computer audio? Isn’t that needed so you can hear both at the same time and control the mix you hear in the headphones? How do the ones without this feature work? Can you hear both at the same time?

 

[CosmicRay]

Thank you everyone for your responses so far!

quick question, why do some USB interfaces not have a monitor balance to mix between the input and computer audio? Isn’t that needed so you can hear both at the same time and control the mix you hear in the headphones? How do the ones without this feature work? Can you hear both at the same time?

That's some of the useful features on the M2. It has a headphone level and a monitor level.

 

[Matthew_84]

That's some of the useful features on the M2. It has a headphone level and a monitor level.

Sorry, I mean a monitor balance knob, where you pan it all the way to one side and it’s 100% of the instrument, 0% of the computer audio; and pan it to the other side for 0% of the instrument, and 100% of the computer audio; and anything in between is proportional (ie, noon is 50/50).

I have that on my old Tascam and it’s really useful when playing along to random songs/tracks, especially when the volume levels between the various songs are all over the place. Really saves you having to fiddle with the gain levels to get a decent mix of the two… unless I’m missing something of course

 

[SoulReflection]

Looks to me that you need to research the benefits and differences between DAWs and recorders. DAWs allow you to isolate individual tracks then balance/enhance/mix them.