Best Cheap Audio Interface

irondan11

I want to buy a audio interface 50-110 can anyone help ????

digitalscream

Do you mean £50 - £110?

If so, you can usually find a Presonus or Focusrite bundle second hand for the upper end of that range. Not the best you can get, but definitely the best you'll usually be able to get in that price bracket.

ThePrettyDamned

The pod studio ux2 is what I use. It's probably not the best, but it has mic preamp models which are actually a simple way of altering the recorded signal if you're mic'ing up.

Pod farm isn't amazing, but if you just use better cab sims (like torpedo wall of sound) it changes bad models into pretty shit hot recording tones. The cab ir is really important.

In hindsight, I'd probably go with what @digitalscream said.

Branshen

One more vote for the focusrite stuff. However, please go for the 2i4 instead of the 2i2. The latter has problems with guitar level input. If you Google it, it's a very well documented issue.

Of course it's better to mic your guitars whether acoustic or electric, but this is an annoyance if you ever want to record direct.

axisus

I want a cheaper interface, more like £50 max secondhand. Any recommendations for that price range?

digitalscream

axisus said:

I want a cheaper interface, more like £50 max secondhand. Any recommendations for that price range?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tascam-US-144-USB-2-0-Audio-and-MIDI-Interface-/271597248897?pt=UK_Musical_AudioMIDI_Interfaces&hash=item3f3c752181

Basic, no-frills interface - Tascam stuff is usually pretty transparent in terms of the preamps, but latency can sometimes be a bit high.

dogload

It depends if your computer has Firewire or just USB. 

Used Firewire interfaces can be had cheap as computers no longer use this type of connection- it's been superseded by USB3. In which case you can pick up a simple Presonus for peanuts. I've used a Presonus Inspire for about 6 years and it's great, never failed. 

USB I think would be the way forward though unless you have a very good, semi-futureproof Firewired computer.

ThePrettyDamned

For Di, get a pod studio gx. Decent amp modelling, just download better cab irs.

xmrchi

Dont forget the industry standard M box fast track pro, I got mine from ebay for £70

irondan11

I saw the 2i2 and it looks really cool I will try and see if there is any second hand ones

IanSavage

If Firewire's an option I've got a Mackie Satellite ('pod' unit only, unless I can repair the base unit) that you could have for not a lot...

Karlos

You simply cannot go wrong with a Presonus.

I've have the FireBox and the FireStudio M. Loads of I/O possibilities and the XMAX preamps are excellent for instrument and mic level.

The software mixer is really handy. Plus as a company they are on the ball with firmware updates etc.

irondan11

which one of Presonus Audio Interfaces would you recommend ???

ThePrettyDamned

irondan11;345083" said:

I saw the 2i2 and it looks really cool I will try and see if there is any second hand ones

These have low headroom apparently, I'd avoid. My friend has one and he hates it.

Do you need any software with it?

irondan11

no I don't, I have some in mind (M audio, Steinberg and Presonus) ?

 

PVO_Dave

irondan11 said:

I saw the 2i2 and it looks really cool I will try and see if there is any second hand ones

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/22664/focusrite-saffire-2i2-recording-interface-soundcard#latest

Not heard of any of the issues mentioned above, has worked flawlessly for me, if it had s/pdif I'd have kept it.

Karlos

irondan11 said:

which one of Presonus Audio Interfaces would you recommend ???

The FireWire version (FireBox) is my favourite as it was my first and it saved my USB ports on the Mac but I think it's discontinued now. Honestly the USB FireStudio M is just as good.

PolarityMan

I have a tascam US-144 and i find with condensor mics the phantom power causes issues when using my laptop, i suspect the usb ports might not be providing enough power so you get level drops but its still a pain in the ass. Id prob go for an interface with a separate ower lead of its own rather than bus powered.

mudslide73

+1 on a used Fast Track Pro. I picked up a used Tascam us1641 for not much more than your budget too. 

irondan11

I ordered one now the presonus!