Home playing and recording

majewsky

majewsky

New member
Hello!

I'm going to start recording myself and I'm looking for cheap yet quality audio interface, can you give me some suggestions?

Requirements:
-2 channels will be ok (vocal mic + guitar)
-MIDI would be welcomed
-USB

Also what is the best software for playing guitar? I'm going to get rid of my amp and pedals and go full digital. I know that it would be best to simply buy Helix, but I'm on a rather tight budget. Next option would be Boss Katana 100, but does it have something, that interface + PC doesn't have? Except power stage and speakers ofc.

What guitar oriented software would give me the best results? Will the latency be a problem?

Thanks in advance and have a nice day!
 
Re: Home playing and recording

Line 6 has Helix plugin software coming soon, IIRC was going to be $400. Latency depends on a bunch of factors, like your interface's sample rate/bit depth and latency. Celestionplus.com has some great Impluse Responses [speaker emulations for modellers & direct recording], a lot of people are very excited about them, particularly in combo with the Helix. Line 6 also has a free allure set on their website.

Be wary of no-name guitar interface dongles. I snagged one because it was stupid cheap, it rolls everything off above 1KHz or so. Ugh. Waste of even the tiny amount I spent.

M-Audio 2x2m seems to have the right features at $149, if you need all in one box.

If price is more of a concern, I'd look at something like an iConnectivity Mio 1x1 USB MIDI Interface for $36 and a Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 for $40. 2 boxes, but cuts price very nearly in half. May be other boxes that are better, but those were well-recommended for the price on MusiciansFriend.com

There's also some USB mixers that might do the job, if you want more channels, and with a separate midi interface, still come in cheaper than the all-in-one.
 
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Re: Home playing and recording

I must take a closer look on this Helix plugin, sounds very interesting.

When it comes to price I'm looking for something in a Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 range. I don't want to buy crap, because I know that sooner or later I will have to buy a new one. ;)
 
Re: Home playing and recording

Digitech RP 100 Series and up
New they come with usb interface for pc
Recording software
Headphone jack
Drum loops
And Mic input
You'll have to.check the specs on the Mic input it may be only on the 350 and up

My GNX3000 has all that
RP500 has all that
 
Re: Home playing and recording

The Scarlett is a good product, I've had the older version of the M-Audio M-Track it was inexpensive, but works good,has lasted a few years so far and came with good software. Mine came with Ableton Live 8, the later ones came with Pro Tools, and the current M-Track 2×2 mentioned above comes with Cubase and a few virtual instrument plugins
 
Re: Home playing and recording

I have four Scarlett interfaces, from the Solo up to the 18i20, on different computers around the house. No complaints.
 
Re: Home playing and recording

Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 2nd Gen is almost exactly what you're asking for, but I was using it to hook a mic up to, so I'm not doing any modeling through it, just recording from the front of the cabinet.
 
Re: Home playing and recording

One caveat on the Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 2nd Gen is that it doesn't appear to have MIDI IO, and costs as much as the M-Audio that does.

Getting separates that focus on particular capabilities is sometimes better. M-Audio had a great reputation the last time I looked into things, but that was a while back. I don't know how the 2i2 (2g) compares to the 2x2m for sound quality, specs are similar, but specs aren't everything. Casing might be more durable, but that's a tradeoff for topmounted large, more widely spaced knobs. Which may or may not be desirable depending on how and where you are using it.
 
Re: Home playing and recording

I use a M audio mobile Pre its the older one and use free Audia City to record on!
 
Re: Home playing and recording

So... Either M audio or Focusrite. I will have to see what is cheaper and maybe try one in store. Thanks a lot guys!
 
Re: Home playing and recording

And Reverb.

99% of all MIDI is done through USB now. The Mio USB to MIDI I/O cable works great and is very affordable.
 
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Re: Home playing and recording

Just seen this vid the other day. $99


 
Re: Home playing and recording

GC and Reverb are all great... if you live in US. Unfortunately I live in Poland and I've got limited choices.
 
Re: Home playing and recording

Behringer gets a lot of knocks, but I've never had longevity issues with my V-Amp Pro. Sure, they don't tend to hold up well to abuse, but if handled with care they don't seem to be subject to the "random" death that many claim. Maybe I've just been lucky...

Still, for a crucial, likely high use piece of gear like the audio interface, I'd want something more rugged if at all possible.
 
Re: Home playing and recording

what's the MIDI for? When I do keyboards via midi I just use a silly cheap little midi-USB cord that works fine.
 
Re: Home playing and recording

Well, I always prefer to have more options. The M-Audio 2x2M has MIDI and has exactly the same prace as the 2x2 non-MIDI version. I've also wanted to experiment with electronic music and samples so some kind of pad controler would be welocmed and not all of them are USB.

So far I'm leaning towards the M-Audio M-Track 2x2M, because it's much cheaper than the Scarlett 2i4 and has MIDI.

EDIT: After comparing Scarlett 2i4 and M-Audio 2x2M, Scarlett has much better parameters that M-Audio and has twice the gain range of the M-Audio on instrument input, which is IMO A LOT.
 
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Re: Home playing and recording

Focusrite is fine if you are into bedroom recording, but if you are looking for pro quality sound, Steinberg UR series trumps Focusrite in all aspects for comparable price, unless you are only there for the awesome red casing.
 
Re: Home playing and recording

Obsessive Compulsive said:
Focusrite is fine if you are into bedroom recording, but if you are looking for pro quality sound, Steinberg UR series trumps Focusrite in all aspects for comparable price, unless you are only there for the awesome red casing.
Click to expand...

The Steinberg UR22 MkII has really nice reviews and it's really better than 2i4, and it looks like Roland UA-55 is even better than both.

How UR22 MkII and UA-55 compare? Is it worth to pay more for Roland?
 
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