Guitarist Guild: A Musical Community Beyond Strings

Software ~ DAWs ~ Recording ~ Mixing ~ Mastering ~ Studio => Recording => Topic started by: Mick on July 06, 2014, 09:04:39 AM

Title: USB Audio Interfaces
Post by: Mick on July 06, 2014, 09:04:39 AM
How do you connect your gear to your computer, what kind of interface do you use. 

There seems to be a vast range of USB interfaces out there, a bit of a minefield imo.  What make and model would you recommend? Preferably with more than one input, for guitar, mike etc.
Title: Re: USB Audio Interfaces
Post by: Joom on July 06, 2014, 04:34:21 PM
Good thread, Mick, should be very informational.

Not doing as much instrument recording anymore, I'm still using the trusty old 24/96 for that.  However, I do use the "MXL Mic Mate Pro" USB adapter for the mic.  Been using that for quite a while now, and like it pretty well.

And of course my "Evolution MK461-C" is connected by USB.  I've had that for years too, and it still keeps ticking.

But I know a lot of people are going to Behringer (and other) full box USB rigs.  There are some very nice ones out there...
Title: Re: USB Audio Interfaces
Post by: Mick on July 06, 2014, 05:16:54 PM
Quote from: Joom on July 06, 2014, 04:34:21 PM

But I know a lot of people are going to Behringer (and other) full box USB rigs.  There are some very nice ones out there...

I always quite fancied one of the Line 6 Pod Studio series, not sure what direction Line 6 are heading these days.  They seem to have dropped quite a few of their products of late, wonder if that's something to do with Yamaha merge.

Others I've read up on, but not used are the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 and although a bit pricier, the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 USB Audio Interface.  Not sure I want to spend that much, but it seems like a pretty solid performer.
Title: Re: USB Audio Interfaces
Post by: Scarebear on July 07, 2014, 03:30:42 AM
I asked myself this very same question a while back. Then I asked the Internet (including the current poll on my website (http://www.scarebear.org/poll/best-usb-audio-interface)). It was decided that the Steinberg UR22 was the best option for me (http://www.scarebear.org/2014/04/steinberg-ur22%E2%80%94my-chosen-audio-interface). Well I hope that was the decision, because that's what I bought :)

It comes with a DAW too which is handy if you're still contemplating one of those.
Title: Re: USB Audio Interfaces
Post by: Joom on July 07, 2014, 05:18:45 AM
Nice site, Scarebear.  Don't see Drupal sites as much as I used to.

Funny you have the ART in your list, I used to use one that I still have in a closet somewhere, but hadn't thought about it in a while...
Title: Re: USB Audio Interfaces
Post by: Mick on July 07, 2014, 07:05:35 AM
Quote from: Scarebear on July 07, 2014, 03:30:42 AM
I asked myself this very same question a while back. Then I asked the Internet (including the current poll on my website (http://www.scarebear.org/poll/best-usb-audio-interface)). It was decided that the Steinberg UR22 was the best option for me (http://www.scarebear.org/2014/04/steinberg-ur22%E2%80%94my-chosen-audio-interface). Well I hope that was the decision, because that's what I bought :)

It comes with a DAW too which is handy if you're still contemplating one of those.

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 won your poll, that one was on my shortlist actually.  But I read somewhere there was some reliability issues.  Not sure how true that is tbh, as I only stumbled upon a similar thread in another forum.  Seems a popular choice though.
Title: Re: USB Audio Interfaces
Post by: Scarebear on July 07, 2014, 02:00:08 PM
Quote from: Joom on July 07, 2014, 05:18:45 AM
Nice site, Scarebear.  Don't see Drupal sites as much as I used to.

Funny you have the ART in your list, I used to use one that I still have in a closet somewhere, but hadn't thought about it in a while...

I need to update my site design and my footer lists actually. I don't get the time to do that right. I used to use my own CMS, but again time got the better of me. I'm not 100% sold on Drupal, but it's doing the job for the most part. deviantART is a site I only peruse now. I used to have some of my own creations there, but that site isn't what it used to be. Not for me at least.

Quote from: Mick on July 07, 2014, 07:05:35 AM
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 won your poll, that one was on my shortlist actually.  But I read somewhere there was some reliability issues.  Not sure how true that is tbh, as I only stumbled upon a similar thread in another forum.  Seems a popular choice though.
I've not heard about the reliability issues. If I hadn't discovered the UR22, I'd have bought the Scarlett 2i2. Everything I'd read and been told was positive. Plus, if it's good enough for Misha Mansoor ...

Title: Re: USB Audio Interfaces
Post by: Joom on July 07, 2014, 02:49:43 PM
Quote from: Scarebear on July 07, 2014, 02:00:08 PM
I need to update my site design and my footer lists actually. I don't get the time to do that right. I used to use my own CMS, but again time got the better of me. I'm not 100% sold on Drupal, but it's doing the job for the most part. deviantART is a site I only peruse now. I used to have some of my own creations there, but that site isn't what it used to be. Not for me at least.

I know what you mean about time, SB.  Besides client work, I have a dozen personal 'hobby' sites and never get the time to do everything I want with any of them.  Always have good intentions.

I used to try to do all my own stuff, but years back caved in and just decided it was just easier and faster to use what's already out there.  I went through a lot of forum software at the time, and finally settled on SMF - I think it was Lewis Media at the time.  Also over time tried Drupal and the rest, and finally settled on WordPress for a client CMS.  Nothing at all wrong with Drupal (or Joomla!), and there are some decent looking smaller ones out there, but WordPress just caught my fancy so I went with it.

Most of the time I prefer static websites that I can have more fine control over, but there are times when a CMS is needed or preferred for various reasons.

But now I'm hijacking the thread...  ???