Please help me make the right choice

stenio83

I've recently brought this Yamaha ag06 mainly because it looked like to have a lot Recording options.

I will use it mainly for recording electric guitar and go straight into the interface from my emulated output of my amplifier. (Hope this make sense)

Since buying it (haven't opened it so it can be returned) I read about USB interfaces vs USB mixers with interface built in and some people seem to lean more towards an interface and say the mixer option is dated.

Realistically is that true?

Anyhow I have 3 links below that fit my price range out of the 3 is the Yamaha a could choice based on price functions etc and for recording electric guitar.



Yamaha CAG06 Mixer https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ST0FK12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jhxqxb4SNFMSF


Zoom TAC-2R 2 Input to 2 Output Thunderbolt Audio Converter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NHLB0IU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9hxqxb7BB3E6S


M-Audio M-Track II | 2-Channel USB Audio Interface + Ableton Live Lite, Waves Plugin and the Exclusive songwriter Suite included https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NWE79BY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Okxqxb3VEBAHV

spark240

What recording PC and software do you intend to use? 

stenio83

spark240;1081614" said:

What recording PC and software do you intend to use? 

Hi there probably going to use Mac and logic

I also saw a presonus itwo for 87£ which on paper looked good value for money

spark240

Ok, so Im using a Mac with Presonus Studio One and a Presonus mixer / interface, I like their stuff.

Im not sure you will use many mixer functions much, I know I dont, I could have easily got away with a straight interface. 

Winny_Pooh

The mixer will be of little to no use to you. Of the options you listed get the M-audio interface.

ecc83

Yes, AI every time but if you can stretch it go for the Steinberg UR22.

I had an Alesis i02 and that was really good for about the same money as that M-Audio.

The UR22 will deff work on a mac (BTW, I thought mac owners were rich! Why bog S interfaces?) Not sure about the iO2, will check..

Dave.

ecc83

Yus..Mac: OS X 10.6, 10.7, 10.8

Re i02. and it comes with Cubase A1, better than Ableton for general recording IMHO.

Dave.

jazzlemming

I used to use a Yamaha MG10UX mixer to record, but I then bought a Zoom TAC-2 (almost identical to the TAC-2R), which I still use today.

The Zoom is miles better in terms of sound quality; really clean preamps and high quality DACs.

The thunderbolt means no power supply is required, even for phantom power, and it's easy to achieve low latency. I use this interface live as well.

The Mix EFX software is also useful if you want to add reverb to monitors.

One slight downside is that the headphone output is not extremely loud. Loud enough, though.

That's my experience in any case, I'm very happy with it.

If you've got Logic already, then that'll be better than any bundled DAW.

ecc83

Re headphone outs? Very often not startlingly loud on many AIs. This is either to do with the fact that the amps lack "gain" for proper, neg 18 levels or, the Nanny State poking its hooter in again! Prob' a bit of both.

I have recently bought a Behringer HA400 headphone amp and it seems very good for well under a score.

I have also made up a PP3 to coax power lead and with a 12V AA battery box from Maplin the amp works well.

Dave.