Suggest an audio interface for me

[Kipp Harrington]

Thank you for posting this question Kipp. And thanks to those who responded.

I researched interfaces for an iPad a couple years ago, got overwhelmed, and never bought one. The straightforward advice given here has allowed me to narrow it down to two affordable choices to start learning about recording. I’ll probably order one soon.

You're welcome, MCA. Let me know what you go with!

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Just my $0.02 - go for the 4i4 rather than the 2i2 if you're going Focusrite.
They are very similar, both have two analog microphone channels, BUT the 4i4 has loopback.
This rocks.

What is meant exactly, by loopback?

 

[Kipp Harrington]

This question comes up a lot. I have answered it many times. You could search, but here is one link to a prior question:
Thinking about getting a DAW. Recommendations for a beginner?

Thank you!

 

[mdlewis]

What is meant exactly, by loopback?

Loopback is the ability to route through software all audio coming off the computer and record it.

For example example, you can record audio from You Tube videos. I find this very helpful sometimes.

 

[Patrice B]

Loopback is available with 3rd Gen Focusrite audio interfaces:

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Latency wise (Round trip latency, the time it takes for the sound that comes out to come in, direct impact if you monitor through your DAW), I think they are roughly equals, ie, middle of the line.

 

[Holroyd]

I have a MOTU M4. Love it.

 

[MaidenVT]

Greetings...

When it comes to stuff like this and recording, I am a complete novice. I plan on using Garage Band with an iPad/iPhone and need a simple, decent sounding audio interface. I'm not looking for pro-quality recordings, but would like them to sound decent. I would like to stay south of $150. Looking for something with straightforward, intuitive controls/software, without a large learning curve. I've done some research on several products, but need some direction/advice. I will be using this as a stepping stone toward something a little more sophisticated in the future. The simpler, the better! Thanks!

Check out AXE I/O it comes with Amplitube 5. Plugin and start playing. It's made specifically guitar players. It also come with a re-amp feature.

IK Multimedia AXE I/O USB Guitar Audio Interface

 

[sleepingEB0]

Greetings...

When it comes to stuff like this and recording, I am a complete novice. I plan on using Garage Band with an iPad/iPhone and need a simple, decent sounding audio interface. I'm not looking for pro-quality recordings, but would like them to sound decent. I would like to stay south of $150. Looking for something with straightforward, intuitive controls/software, without a large learning curve. I've done some research on several products, but need some direction/advice. I will be using this as a stepping stone toward something a little more sophisticated in the future. The simpler, the better! Thanks!

The Behringer u-phoria is as good as anything kn the market.

the universal audio with the built in Cali 76 compressor is the only other one worth conserving depending if you got one or not

 

[FearNoEvil65]

I'd recommend the Motu M4, or Focusrite Scarlett 4i4, for the loopback feature. The Motu M2, and Scarlett 2i2 are nice but neither offer loopback. With loopback for example, you can play along with a youtube bass backing track, a track that has all the music and you add your bass playing. Or play along to a backing track from your PC or whatever, and record your bass and or vocals or whatever along with it, and record it if you want to. I use loopback all the time, it's worth it to me. You could watch a podcast or livestream, and record it with the loopback feature. The M4 or 4i4 have more input channels also, but it you never use them, still worth it for the loopback feature.

 

[Patrice B]

I'd recommend the Motu M4, or Focusrite Scarlett 4i4, for the loopback feature. The Motu M2, and Scarlett 2i2 are nice but neither offer loopback. With loopback for example, you can play along with a youtube bass backing track, a track that has all the music and you add your bass playing. Or play along to a backing track from your PC or whatever, and record your bass and or vocals or whatever along with it, and record it if you want to. I use loopback all the time, it's worth it to me. You could watch a podcast or livestream, and record it with the loopback feature. The M4 or 4i4 have more input channels also, but it you never use them, still worth it for the loopback feature.

Thanks for the precision. I was sure that all Scarlett’s 3rd Gen had loopback. The 2i2 does not have it.

On MacOS however, any AI could benefit from loopback, just by installing a simple app called BlackHole (free/donation ware).