USB Audio Interfaces

[corba]

follow up: i purchased the 16 track Alesis Multimix USB, working perfect, records 16 tracks @ 24bits w/no glitches.

 

[faiz0802]

What about the Motu Microbook?
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/microbook/body.html

 

[stevellss]

I think the best bang for your buck might be the Tascam 1641 if you think you will ever want more channels in the future. It also comes with Cubase software, which is decent by most people's standards. I own the model and it works well. I paid $259 a few months ago, and now the price has dropped to $219.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Ibanez Bassist]

I got a Tascam US-1641 Interface It does real, real well..

 

[LeonD]

I'm looking for a USB interface to work with my MacBook Air and GarageBand. I find with most USB interfaces, while they have multiple inputs, via USB, they only output two tracks to GarageBand.

How many separate tracks do I get with the US-1641?

 

[Ibanez Bassist]

I get 14 In 10 of the 14 with pre amp and 6 balanced out 2 midi out and 2 digital out on the Tascam I think its a great little unit.. it does a lot..

 

[LeonD]

But when you plug it into your computer, how many channels do you have?

 

[Ibanez Bassist]

I use Reaper the licensed edition and I can make or have 14 separate tracks for recording.. I dont really use all that but its nice to be able to separate stuff..

 

[MonetBass]

My Presonus USB Audiobox has done a great job for me. It came with Cubase LE4, but they now come with Presonus' own software (don't remember what it's called). And it's less than $150.

 

[Ibanez Bassist]

Tascam Interface came with a separate recording program as well, but I already had Reaper and Audacity..

 

[Rob17]

first, someone mentioned tracktion software, which i love, but it is rather obsolete with Mackie dropping support for it years ago... I would recommend REAPER DAW software.

i have a few of these for recording and home theater:

E-mu 0404 USB

they are about 110 on ebay or 150-200 new.

good drivers for XP, i've heard win 7 too.

midi in/out
spdif in/out (coax and optical)
+ 2x audio in/out

above average mic pre-amps, hi-z and live TRS 1/4" ins+XLR

good drivers, i can get 3-4ms latency.

I have the PCI version off this one.
It sounds very good.


+1 for the Emu 0404

 

[Jonyak]

But when you plug it into your computer, how many channels do you have?

th 1641 allows you to record 16 channel simultaneously.

I have one and I love it.

to keep your latency down its best to get a seperate PCI USB 2.0 card as well. otherwise you will be sharing with anything else you have connected to your usb ports.

 

[stratovani]

well the LONG list on MF is.. what.. FOUR?? out of how many purchase it?

Man I been using mine for about 8 months on both a good XP system and on my laptop with Win7. I have had NO problem with noise. or dropouts.

I notice they are the same reviews on Amazon as MF. All I know is it has been dead quiet and no dropouts in tracking OR mix-down. Then again, I know what I'm doing, I free up system resources and don't leave 25 programs running in the task bar. As to the MAC OS problems, I have no idea. Wouldn't own one.

I recently got a Tascam US-144, and I run it into a Dell laptop running WinXP. Like you, I free up system resources and close programs I won't be needing, like antivirus, firewall, internet conncetion, etc. It runs flawlessly - no noise, dropouts, or any other problems. I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[MNAirHead]

I own a few.

For simplicity I've kept everything USB.

Unlike what folks say, I haven't had an issue with latency (worth complaining about)

Part of it is your use....

If just laying down scratch and concept stuff.. a Zoom, Digitech, Line6 etc all do well... I've had acceptable success with a Lexicon.

That being said.. I do concept stuff and then take to a full s80 protools studio when it's time to do final cuts... but for demos etc.. the USB stuff is acceptable.

I can email you what a direct Zoom to Audacity sounds like.. just PM an email address.

Heck.. if you're just laying down single tracks etc.. Audacity doesn't require an interface.. and it's legally free.

Tim

 

[Ibanez Bassist]

I have also had and used the Tascam US-144 and that also is a fine piece , I have had no problems with that either.. I just needed something that did more thats all , thats the only reason why I switched..