Need USB interface advice

[Arvin]

Yeah, me too. The idea of "amp line out > 2i4 > laptop" is really intriguing. It should be pretty easy to control a) noise, and b) recording levels. With my current setup, Zoom B3 > laptop, I get lots of hiss, with a very weak, but clipped bass sound in the track.

Ok, I got my 2i4, and set it up exactly as I posted: amp line out > 2i4 > laptop. I did some quick recordings with Reaper and with Kristal AE, and the recording levels are great now. But I'm still getting a lot of hiss, and occasionally in the middle of a track, the volume level drops down about 50%, and everything sounds like it's underwater for a few seconds. I'm not sure what's up, but I'm guessing it's the laptop. I may try downloading Kristal to my desktop, and trying it there.

 

[okcrum]

I go into a little board and from there to my Zoom H1 which is OK doubling as a USB audio interface. I use Ardour for tracking and Audacity for utility quick things. You can do a mix using either as long as your computer is fast enough.

 

[tedsalt]

I just picked up a Zoom B3 and am running into a Behringer Xenyx 302USB into a PC with Tracktion DAW with good results (great rig for practice!). At first I connected via XLR but seemed to have issues. A quick Google search showed people have been using an instrument cable instead of XLR between the B3 and whatever interface, so I switched and it worked better.

When I used the B3 at church Sunday I found out a couple of songs into the first service that my output level was too hot at the board, and had not brought the manual. During the message I found a manual online and found you can turn down the output level under Global (button).

I may try the XLR again with the output level turned down ...

 

[Toptube]

I have a scarlett solo, which I settled on after trying a couple of other boxes.

I settled for the solo because it works, with almost zero fuss. Whereas one of the other boxes I tried wouldn't work correctly, ever. and the other would work, but each time I went to use it, I would have to do wierd stuff to be able to use it.

the sound quality of the solo is solid, for the price. It's a touch on the "dark" side, for sound. But it otherwise does a good job of retaining the unique character of each instrument. and the input gain is pretty forgiving. It's also great with a standard line in. Sounds near exactly like a D.I. in.


the only major problems are that if you aren't using an Asio capable program (see: standard Audacity) you will have some lag. and the headphone monitor on mine sounds like j.u.n.k.

 

[decay]

I'm a layman in this area, sorry for this lame question:
So if I get for example a Focusrite USB interface (maybe a Scarlett solo or iTrack solo), can I use my pedals with it without any trouble? (like this: bass->pedals->usb interface)

My main goal with such a product is to be able to practice with headphones and record some things for myself and show some stuff to band mates.
First I wanted a small practice amp with headphone connections, but I realized it would have more benefits to have a fine USB interface instead, for about the same money..

 

[bnolsen]

Shouldn't be a problem. There's both an XLR and unbalanced 1/4" input. Pick which one to plug your pedals into, adjust the gain and go. The color rings around the gain knobs are a serious work of genius on the focusrite interfaces.