I've asked before but technology has no doubt moved on! Audio Interface...

[Musicman20]

Hi all

After recently realising my brain is fit to burst with ideas, I've decided to record for my own purposes for potential bands in the future.

Probably just basic guitar, decent bass, with a click track. Nothing special.

My guitar rig sounds stunning, and I realise it would be better to mic it up. Bass can go through the back of my amps, or mic'd up if it sounds better.

I don't want loads of bells and whistles. I just want a decent quality, with easy use.

I also probably need advice on a decent mic or two..maybe one for bass/guitar and one for vocals at some point.

Can you please suggest a decent Audio Interface to go with a pretty decent iMac? Nothing flashy or ridiculous, just good quality.

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

[cheddatom]

what's your budget for the interface? And mics?

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Line 6 toneport ux1 ?

[6v6]

My suggestion assuming your budget will stretch to it is the RME babyface:

http://www.rme-audio.de/en_index.php

It's not cheap for a relatively simple/small interface, but you're getting something which should have rock solid drivers, and the possibility of expanding easily in the future should you need to.

If you're interested in potentially using amp simulators in the computer (I know you said micing up your amps, but late at night it's incredibly useful to be able to knock out an idea in near silence with a software amp sim like amplitube/guitar-rig or whatever) RME have a reputation for providing the best, most stable, and lowest latency drivers.

They also recently added class-compliant mode which means you can use it with your ipad if you wish for a truly portable recording solution.

For mics the industry standard for recording guitar is a Shure SM57, which can also be used for almost any other purpose in the absence of more specialist mics, it's an incredibly versatile mic.

If you have more cash, you could consider the Shure beta57, or Sennheiser 421, both of which are excellent, industry standard mics.

[Rimskidog]

Apogee One or Duet

[brensabre79]

+1 RME stuff

I had a toneport once, it was rubbish. I had a MOTU, it was alright. Then I got an RME fireface, and even just loading up an old mix it suddenly sounded 'expensive' - like it was recorded in a proper studio rather than a bedrrom. (I know the difference, I used to work in proper studios) i have not looked back since, their stuff is great and I constantly get complements from Mastering Engineers since I made the switch.

[Twigman]

+1 for RME I use an HDSP9632 PCI card....love it

[goblin]

What OSX are you using on your iMac? I foolishly updated to Mountain Lion from Snow Leopard rendering my Edirol UR80 useless to me. It worked well with SL though, still got it if you want it, drop me a PM. There's a for sale thread somewhere in the classifieds too

If you're on Lion or above, I've got a Tascam US144 MK2 now and that's fantastic!

[Rodulator]

I am using one of the line6 ux2 devices at the moment with ableton and the latency on it sucks as do the tones mostly. For now I have been bypassing all of its tones and using VST's. Using peavey revalver with some good impulse files has been pretty good.
What I am saying is do not buy a ux2.