Which audio interface ?

[Loijuk]

I've narrowed my choice to these 3 :

M-audio Fast Track USB : [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Alesis IO 2 Express : [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Alesis multimix 4usb : [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'm also thinking of upgrading my pickups on my squier , they are currently stock.
Should I purchase the ' Seymour Duncan Spb-3 ' or should I look for another one ?

Thanks in advance

 

[jmattis]

I'd probably choose the Alesis IO2 out of those three, but if you can spare a bit more coin, I'd heavily recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2-

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Loijuk]

Thanks , Then i'll go for the alesis IO 2

I'm gonna use the rest of the money to buy new pickups

 

[mindlayer]

When you go with anything 2 tracks, inevitably you won't get some functions like inserts or low/no latency monitoring. And once you have a friend to plug in, too, then you're kind of hosed. 4-8 channels will be good, if you need more than 8 inputs direct, you need a full studio. Tracking with a 4 track is not all that bad, and I wouldn't touch anything that just does 44-48Khz. 96K is standard sampling rate, gives you the headroom you want/need.

 

[Loijuk]

Ok thanks , then I might consider going for the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

Thanks for the information , I didnt know that

 

[seamonkey]

The Alesis doesn't have ASIO drivers of it's own. Alesis recommends to use ASIO4ALL if you need lower latency.

There's nothing wrong with using ASIO4ALL, but it does has some limitations.

If you need ASIO at all depends on what software you're using. For example, you don't need ASIO for Sonar, you can use low latency WDM/KS.

Even Tascam has released new interfaces without ASIO drivers. It may be the new trend.

 

[Loijuk]

And what about this one ?

Line6 Pod Studio GX : [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[kevinmoore73]

I bet the preamps in the Alesis devices are extremely noisy. Their drivers are poor as well.

 

[jarrydee]

I would go M-audio before alesis...I have used a ton of m audio recording gear and they are good....If you could save and get away from USB you would do yourself a great favor.

 

[Loijuk]

Ok now i'm stuck between the Line6 Pod Studio GX or M-audio

I've heard great things about the M- audio , but does anyone has experience with the Line6 Pod Studio GX ?

 

[kevinmoore73]

That Line 6 device looks like a cheap piece of junk. I wouldn't buy the M-Audio device either. Spend a few more dollars and get a Focusrite or a PreSonus.

 

[Loijuk]

Thanks , I think i'm gonna buy the focusrite , because it's a very reasonable price

 

[seamonkey]

Line 6 isn't a bad interface. Can't read a book by it's cover.

It also comes with POD Farm which is an outstanding sounder modeling/effects package.

 

[JimmyM]

Eerily enough, I'm in the market for something of a similar nature, too, but the M-Audio Fast Track C400 is looking more like the front runner to me. The Scarlet looks hot, but it only does audio where the Fast Track also does MIDI. So for those of you who have tried both, is the Scarlet that much better sounding than the C400 to where I won't mind getting something else to do MIDI?

And I don't need more than two channels ever.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Very interesting to read the comments on the Scarlett on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA

The hardware gets raves; the software, not so much.

 

[jmattis]

The pre in the Scarlett is really nice for it's price. I've never tried the recording software it comes with (Ableton Live), but the little plug-in suite is solid. I use it with Logic instead, and it can also be used with the newer versions of ProTools, GarageBand, Audacity, etc. The direct bass tone I get from this thing just crushes my old mbox, but the mbox did have a little more output for the headphone out. You can still get it plenty loud, but I do wind up having the headphone volume cranked pretty good. Not dimed, but close.

 

[jmattis]

And Jimmy, I'm not much of a midi user, but I think most of them hook up via usb these days. You should be able to plug that in to an open usb slot on the computer and be good to go. Or does that not get you where you need to be?

 

[jmattis]

Jimmy, if you need the midi in, something like this Presonus would definitely be worth a look-

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBoxUSB/

 

[JimmyM]

And Jimmy, I'm not much of a midi user, but I think most of them hook up via usb these days. You should be able to plug that in to an open usb slot on the computer and be good to go. Or does that not get you where you need to be?

Actually it would as long as it communicates with the software. I'm so far behind the curve on that, though, but I'll look into it.

 

[jarrydee]

If not the M-audio then get the Focusrite,..I just sold my Focusrite LS 56 and it was a great interface, I have also owned the Focusrite Saffire pro 40..all of them beat the hell out of my old Digi 003 and m audio gear, but I have never used their USB interfaces, I prefer firewire!