Recommend me a Recording Interface

I need it to be compatible with USB 2.0 and MIDI. I need the necessary number of inputs/outputs for the following gear:

1) Guitar-->Amp-->Mic-->Interface-->PC
2) MIDI Synth-->Amp-->Mic-->Interface-->PC
3) MIDI Synth-->Interface-->PC
4) Vocals-->Interface-->PC

I have a three mics; one condenser and two dynamic (instrument and vocal). For recording I'm thinking of using 2 mics at a time. I'm looking for something relatively small, but am torn because I might need to record drums one day as well.

A recording software suggestion would be excellent as well. I'm new to recording and want some bang-for-my-buck. My price range is up to $250, used or new, cheaper is better. Thank You!

You are not going to get a 4 mic input AI new or used I would think for that sort of money and in any case I think second hand electronics + (wtgr!) noob = bad news.

I can but once again suggets the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6. Yes, only 2 mic ins but two more line inputs so when more cash is saved a $50 mixer will give you 2 more mic channels. MIDI in and out plus digital I/O.

The box comes with Cubase LE5 and Kontakt players and some samples. The Ka6 has the lowest latency of any sub $400 AI known to me (Google Latency if you are in the dark).

My recent tests have shown that you really need better than a P4 PC but any modern dual core running W7 should be fine.

If you are REALLY strapped or/and have a slow old PC look for an M-Audio Fast track pro. Only 2 mics ins but very solid and reliable, latency is pretty good (better than many new $250 AIs) as well. If you want another suggestion for software. Reaper, but I again make no apology for suggesting Magix Samplitude Silver.

Dave.

It looks like this has four audio inputs:

The EIE Pro sends and receives four audio channels on a single USB cable for simple, universal interface to a computer. The three additional USB ports allow the EIE Pro to function as a hub as well, bridging other MIDI controllers and hard-drives to the computer. The EIE Pro features traditional MIDI In and Out jacks for playing and controlling software with keyboard and pad controllers, workstations, and other MIDI-compatible instruments.

http://www.akaipro.com/eiepro

I've been thinking of getting one myself.

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Originally Posted by Rox

It looks like this has four audio inputs:

The EIE Pro sends and receives four audio channels on a single USB cable for simple, universal interface to a computer. The three additional USB ports allow the EIE Pro to function as a hub as well, bridging other MIDI controllers and hard-drives to the computer. The EIE Pro features traditional MIDI In and Out jacks for playing and controlling software with keyboard and pad controllers, workstations, and other MIDI-compatible instruments.

http://www.akaipro.com/eiepro

I've been thinking of getting one myself.

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Yes, I thought about one myself but got so pissed off with Akai dragging their feet and not releasing any meaningful specifications I went for the NI KA6 (and glad I did) . This review..
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may1...ai-eie-pro.htm is quite glowing, maybe TOO glowing! What makes me suspicious is no mention of latency, something often quite poor on budget AI's, usually because of scrimped drivers.

Dave.

Take a look at the Presonus VSL gear. I have the VSL22 - which is just two inputs plus Midi. But it has phantom power, separate headphone out and the most stable crackle-free drivers of any interface I've used on Windows 7.

There is a four input version - http://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-44VSL

The EIE Pro was reviewed pretty favourably on Sonicstate as well, and he's pretty reliable.

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Originally Posted by tehLORD

The EIE Pro was reviewed pretty favourably on Sonicstate as well, and he's pretty reliable.

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Yes indeed it does seem to pass muster. I had wondered about the VU calibration and had asked Akai a year ago but like all my techical enquiries re the EIE it either fell on deaf ears, I got bounced back to the totally useless specification or they did not know WTF I was on about. For sure, VU meters calibtrated such that 0=0dBFS are indeed Virtually Useless!

WHAT an opportunity missed to get folks started right with digital levels! Non standard I know but setting -18dBFS at -10VU would have been reasonable along with an instruction to keep signals at that level with only rare peaks to -3 or 0.

Ho hum,
Dave.