Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

[ImmortalSix]

I need a USB interface that has 4 inputs.

I want to put 2 mics on my guitar amp, and have 2 inputs free for a room mic, or miking my other guitar amp since I run 2 amps sometimes.

I would also like the ability to run my bass direct to this interface.

He'p me out - I don't know where to start.

To be honest, I am not very concerned with the world's best A/D, I'm mostly interested in it being reliable.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

Tascam if you like Cubase. M-Audio if you prefer Pro Tools.

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

Tascam if you like Cubase. M-Audio if you prefer Pro Tools.

I prefer Reaper as my DAW, but I assume that these days, any interface will work well with any DAW.

Am I correct in that assumption?

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

Pretty much. There are plenty of options out there you could look at. Here are a few I found. All these have at least 4 pre-amps in them for mic inputs. If you only need two pre-amps, there are loads more options that have additional line level inputs. Bear in mind that some of these below are probably well over specced for what you're after.

M-Audio Fast Track Ultra

Tascam US-600

Alesis MultiMix8

RME Fireface UFX (probably a lot more expensive than you want)

Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 Audio Interface (has 6 pre-amps and probably very expensive also)

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

Pretty much. There are plenty of options out there you could look at. Here are a few I found. All these have at least 4 pre-amps in them for mic inputs. If you only need two pre-amps, there are loads more options that have additional line level inputs. Bear in mind that some of these below are probably well over specced for what you're after.

M-Audio Fast Track Ultra

Tascam US-600

Alesis MultiMix8

RME Fireface UFX (probably a lot more expensive than you want)

Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 Audio Interface (has 6 pre-amps and probably very expensive also)

Thanks a lot - just the kind of post I was looking for - thank you greatly!

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

I've recently put one of the Fast Track Pros (2 pre-amp version) on my UK PC and was really impressed with its simplicity and range of features. It came with a copy of ProTools LE (SE?) with it, otherwise I'd have gone down the Reaper route myself on that particular PC (I use Sonar X1 out here and use both an M-Audio Delta 2496 & 1010 PCI interfaces on it). The install for hardware and software and software was very straightforward. It turned out that I could plug a guitar straight into the FTP and that the ProTools s/w had an amp modeller built into it. It really was install, plug in guitar and hit record.

[RobSoundtrack]

Re: Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

Ive had said multimix for about 4-5 years and been happy fwiw.
Strong little guy *knocks on wood*

[alex1fly]

Re: Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

YMMV but I have not been pleased with the reliability of my M-Audio Fast Track Pro interface. Crackles, input level changes, sometimes it flat out destroys a track in mid-recording. Forum consensus is that my unit has poor transistors... whatever.

Another option for you to consider is getting 2 2-input interfaces, if your DAW will allow that.

I've been hot on my Apogee Duet lately. Two of those and you'd be golden. $350 or so apiece and their A/D is great. They don't make the Duet anymore, now its a Duet Two, but older Duets can be found on eBay and such. http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/


ONE LAST THOUGHT: Be careful about sacrificing A/D quality. If you're serious enough to want 4 mics for your guitar sound, you might regret the quality difference down the line (and extra noise from a potentially lower quality interface), in a year, in two years, or even just a couple weeks once you're up and running with the new setup.

[James Rock]

Re: Need USB interface with 4 Inputs

The Tascam features wise looks awesome for the price not sure aout the quality of pre amps and converters though. I have an ONYX 400f which has finally got Win7 drivers and I love it but it is discontinued but you can still find some cheap.