Audio/USB interface or new sound card?

[MacDaddy]

I was looking at getting one of those audio/USB things to plug my guitar in to the computer. Some come with basic amp sims and recording software and are not too expensive. But for a similar price I could get a new sound card with an audio input and bundled software.

Which way would you guys go?

[Happy Jack]

I'd remind the bass player in my band to bring his unused M-Audio interface thingy to rehearsal tonight and see if I could maybe slip it into my gigbag when he wasn't looking.

[Horizontalste]

I have a Lexicon Alpha from Amazon with Cubase, it was about fifty quid. But I only use a laptop so its easier this way.

[MacDaddy]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1324369764' post='1473387']
I'd remind the bass player in my band to bring his unused M-Audio interface thingy to rehearsal tonight and see if I could maybe slip it into my gigbag when he wasn't looking.
[/quote]

what a splendid idea!

[paul_5]

Personally I'd go for USB (firewire if you can), but then again, I'm on a macbook, so internal cards aren't really an option.
I use an MBox to run Protools, but it can also be used for Cubase, Logic, Sonar etc...
Lots of really useful features and good quality AD conversion too.

Protools ain't cheap though...

It also depends how many channels you want to record at once. MBoxes will only do 2 channels, so if you need more than that then I'd probably look elsewhere. Loads of people I know have made positive noises abut the focusrite saffire stuff - cheaper than protools too.

HTH
Paul.

[L_Bass_Dog85]

I would go the USB Interface route. Both work as efficient as each other but the interface stops you pulling apart PC components etc. My Interface only can handle two channels but I am no sound techie so it suits me. Also, interfaces do come with a freeware version of recording software like Sonar Lite. Its crap but does the job. You could download Reaper but it requires alot of patience to use and as an individual the license number is not that expensive to purcahse after the 30 day free trial!

[DrBike]

I'm looking to do some basic recording at home and can't decide beween the Lexicon Alpha with Cubase LE or the M-box with Pro-Tools Essentials. Amazon have got deals on at the moment so both of the above are around £50 at the moment and that's the budget of got in mid at the moment. I've used Cubase in the past so I'm kind of leaning that way. I'm looking for something that'll have some guitar amp simulators built in and the ability to put some basic programmed drum tracks, guitar over-dubs and vocals. Other guys I play with in the band have mentioned Cakewalk and Garageband.

Any recommendations before I take the plunge based on instinct?

Edited December 25, 2011 by DrBike

[LiamPodmore]

[quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1324386016' post='1473644']
I have a Lexicon Alpha from Amazon with Cubase, it was about fifty quid. But I only use a laptop so its easier this way.
[/quote]

Big +1 to this. I use an Alpha on my desktop PC. I do have latency issues but that is because my PC is antique, not due to the harware itself. I found the Cubase (LE5) that came bundled with it was expceptionally good, 48 channel max (IIRC) which isn't really too limiting unless you use an excessive amount, slightly lacking in VST's for what i want (Overdrive/distortion etc..) but there are so many available that it makes no difference. Overall a VERY usable package for the £57 i paid (GAK).

Liam

[DrBike]

[quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1324844760' post='1478091']
Big +1 to this. I use an Alpha on my desktop PC ...
I found the Cubase (LE5) that came bundled with it was expceptionally good ...
[/quote]
Cheers - that's the kind of thing I was hoping to hear

[lowdown]

[quote name='DrBike' timestamp='1324846364' post='1478105']
Cheers - that's the kind of thing I was hoping to hear
[/quote]

Use the Free VST's sticky.
Quite a few links of some very good free Software [Sims/FX etc]
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/77603-free-vsts/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/77603-free-vsts/[/url]


Garry

[EdwardHimself]

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1324331421' post='1473205']
I was looking at getting one of those audio/USB things to plug my guitar in to the computer. Some come with basic amp sims and recording software and are not too expensive. But for a similar price I could get a new sound card with an audio input and bundled software.

Which way would you guys go?
[/quote]

Get yourself an audio interface. USB is fine as long as you're not recording more than 4 tracks at once.

[MacDaddy]

i've gone for the M Audion option, hoping that getting to grips with pro tools won't be too hard. I am not a techie!

[paul_5]

Good for you, pro tools is the BALLS.*








* Other DAWs are available.

[guildbass]

I bought the thing for that goes with an Itouch/phone for Amplitube and i also bought the cheap ebay USB widgit that goes with (amongst others) Guitar Rig on a PeeCee ...a tenner IIRC. i think mine also came with a basic copy of guitar rig...

while needing a little tweaking and a search and download of a free Asio driver, the Guitar Rig one works very well. there's a host of amps and speaker/mic set-ups Guitar rig will emulate, and its easy to record stuff and then pull it off. The basic Guitar rig programme is itself a free download so the entire cost is the ebay thing...

[la bam]

Just to throw a curve ball in - theres a few good mixers now at top prices - The Allen & Heath Zed10FX has USB ins and outs and comes with onboard and software FX and recording software.

£200ish but youre getting a top mixer as well.

[urb]

Hey - I switched to using a USB 2.0 from Firewire this year and I have to say I love it and the results are pristine - this is a very neat entry level soundcard from their new Scarlett series I have the 18i6 but this one has the exact same preamps and will do a fantastic job of recording your bass etc:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FOCUSRITE-SCARLETT-USB-AUDIO-INTERFACE/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325067485&sr=8-1

Highly recommended

M

[urb]

On the other hand - this looks like a seriously great deal:

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Tools-Essentials-Recording-Studio/dp/B002P3KINE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325067676&sr=8-2"]http://www.amazon.co...25067676&sr=8-2[/url]

You can always upgrade the quality of the interface at a later date - this Pro-Tools essentials package looks fab - however if you're using a Macwith Garageband then you already have a good entry level DAW

And just for balance - Pro Tools is fantastic for sure - but Logic is amazing for writing/arrnging stuff and is superb for MIDI - so you might want to invest in Logic Express:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-MB788Z-A-Logic-Express/dp/B002IYO6N8/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1325067884&sr=1-1

OK no more Mac plugging from me

M

[bartelby]

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1325067811' post='1479468']
And just for balance - Pro Tools is fantastic for sure - but Logic is amazing for writing/arrnging stuff and is superb for MIDI - so you might want to invest in Logic Express:

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-MB788Z-A-Logic-Express/dp/B002IYO6N8/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1325067884&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co...25067884&sr=1-1[/url]

OK no more Mac plugging from me

M
[/quote]

But the full Logic Pro is now available for less than that Logic Express, via the Mac App Store.
[attachment=95892:Screen Shot 2011-12-28 at 11.14.45.png]

Edited December 28, 2011 by bartelby

[urb]

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1325070922' post='1479495']
But the full Logic Pro is now available for less than that Logic Express, via the Mac App Store.
[attachment=95892:Screen Shot 2011-12-28 at 11.14.45.png]
[/quote]

That's amazing - I say buy it now then! Love Logic 9 - really great DAW...

[DrBike]

After reading [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160802-audacity-alternatives-pc/page__p__1450483__hl__reaper__fromsearch__1#entry1450483"]this Audacity thread[/url] I decided to download and install Reaper then did the same for the demo versions of Kontakt Player and Guitar Rig. Then with the aid of Google to find some online tutorials along with some free VSTs as per this [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/77603-free-vsts/"]VST thread[/url] .

[size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I just won an ebay auction for a[/font][/size][size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Novation NIO 2 / 4 USB Audio Interface[/font][/size] so now I'm set for both audio recording and using a midi controller.

First impressions of Reaper are that it's really powerful but you need to follow some tutorials if you're new to this kind of thing.

[L_Bass_Dog85]

[quote name='DrBike' timestamp='1325326322' post='1482081']
First impressions of Reaper are that it's really powerful but you need to follow some tutorials if you're new to this kind of thing.
[/quote]

Reaper is a beast but worth it! A license for an individual isn't that much once the free trial is up either.

[DrBike]

[quote name='L_Bass_Dog85' timestamp='1325343198' post='1482323']
Reaper is a beast but worth it! A license for an individual isn't that much once the free trial is up either.
[/quote]
Just waiting for payday ...