Audio Interface

[dhj]

Looking to get an audio interface for recording my acoustic playing/singing straight into my laptop. was going to go for an M-Audio Fasttrack but there are a number of disgruntled users over on the Reaper forum (which is what I am intending to use). Anybody any strong views about what device would be best? Don't really want to spend more than £150 and will only use it to record acoustic and singing. The Line6 UX1 looks ok but I have no personal knowledge of this item so don't really want to just buy without some reviews.

Many thanks

[ecc83]

"only use it to record acoustic and singing." !!!

ONLY eh! Don't want to put you off but recording either moderately well is tricky enough!

But you have at least started with the right question. You know you need an Audio Interface. 1/2 way there already! Now, is that £150 budget all in? AI, mics, cables, stands, headphones? Or just for the AI? If the latter fine, if the former sorry, save some more.

But I am STILL going to stress your flexible friend and suggest the Native Instruments Ka6 at about £178. There really is little to touch it at the price and a good bit beyond.

What have peeps got against the M-A fast track? If the Ka6 is really beyond you I would suggest a Fast track pro. The mic amps do not have the gain of the Ka6 but they are quiet and in anycase I would strongly suggest small diaphragm capacitor mics and thus mic amp gain becomes of little moment. (the Line 6 stuff is for the head bangin' electric boys. Don't want none of that!) .

Hope these ramblings help!

Dave.

[dhj]

Many thanks for the prompt reply. Yes, 'only acoustic and singing' !! (I'm not expecting great things here). I didn't make it clear so apologies, the £150 is for the interface only. I have a ton of cables, mics and other clutter left over from when I was (temporarily) in a small band. Gave it all up (and sold virtually everything) a few years ago but have now picked up an acoustic and jam along with a mate twice a week doing a handful of covers. What I would like to do is to record myself with a view to improving over time and perhaps putting together a half decent recording. I take your point about the line 6, having had numerous pedals and pods over the years. As far as the Fast track goes a number of people seem to be having problems with Win 7, Reaper and the relevant M-Audio drivers, although on paper it looks as though it will do what I want (which is 1 mic in, 1 guitar in). I'll certainly check out the KA6.

Your 'ramblings' as you put it have been extremely helpful.

Many thanks again for your input and advice.

[ecc83]

Ah! Couple of points...

I seem to recall some problems with M-A drivers with a particular motherboard (Asus?) I certainly have had no trouble with my FTPro on W7 64 on an HP laptop or HP desktop PC.

Then you said "One mic in, one guitar in"? So you are going to record acoustic guitar via its PUP? Ok but I am sure many will tell you you will get far better results acoustically, unless you have a really ***t room, in which case the yodelling will be dire!

You also have a rake of ex band kit? All dynamic mics I bet. No matter, my son prefers the SM57 to either my AKG or Sontronics capacitors! The Pro will struggle for level with a dynamic on acoustic but the Ka6 will be fine (you do know not to record "hot" in digital? It is not like tape. You really need to be working with 24bits 44.1kHz, 48kHz if doing vids).

Dave (see, rambled, can't stop me'self)

[dhj]

I had thought of recording the acoustic via the PUP but you seem to suggest that may not be the best way? Yes, all of the mic's I have are dynamic, would I be better getting a condenser?

Thanks again for the input

[ecc83]

I had thought of recording the acoustic via the PUP but you seem to suggest that may not be the best way? Yes, all of the mic's I have are dynamic, would I be better getting a condenser?

Thanks again for the input

Funny you should say that! Because in researching prices for the Ka6 I found that guitaguitar.com have (or had!) a deal on for the AI with a Rode mic thrown in and I have never used a Rode but I have never read a bad word? I got my Ka6 from them. Nice guys.

But generally yes, you will struggle for level with acoustic guitar and a dynamic, ok for close vocals. Then, the Small Diaphagm Capacitor really is the Swiss Army Knife of the mic world.

Dave.

[noisepolluter]

I've been using a Mackie Blackjack Onyx USB with a new ASUS laptop (windows 7) and the bundled Tracktion 3 software. No problems whatsoever with drivers, and the hardware monitoring effectively gets around the barely noticeable latency.

[IanCorps]

Line 6 Toneport UX2 , works a treat , no latency and 2 inputs with phantom power !! can't fail