Interface help

[undeadstrife]

Ok guys I know I ask for a lot of help but I am just trying to get the best sound possible for my upcoming project. Me and a couple friends are trying to start something kind of like Bone Thugs and Harmony mixed with rock/metal backing tracks. Basically Nu-Metal with more of a rap influence. I need a decent but cheap audio interface to work with that could handle mics and instruments. Any suggestions?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Interface help

How many channels do you need at the same time?

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Interface help

1-2 max. I'm still new to recording and producing so I don't want to take on more than I can handle off the bat.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Interface help

Look into the steinberg (UR Series) or focusrite (scarlett series) stuff for just starting out with a budget.

What IS your budget? do you currently have any mics/ software etc? The more info the better here.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Interface help

What IS your budget? do you currently have any mics/ software etc? The more info the better here.

This. You can go from Behringer ($) to Burl Audio/Antelope Audio ($$$) in terms of pricing.

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Interface help

As of right now, I have no budget set up. It is something I would not want to spend more than $100 on when I can. I have lmms for right now, but I am looking into something better while still being free for right now. I wish I could give more information on a budget but I am a married man with 4 people living in the house and I am the only one working so money runs tight. As of right now I have no mics either. One of the other members in the group are looking into that for me.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Interface help

I would advise using what you already have in that case. If you can stretch a little past $100 look into the Focusrite 2i2.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Interface help

Ok, to be real honest, $100.00 is going to be tough. Yes, you can go Behringer interface below that, but you're going to need at least one mic. LOCAL second hand is going to be your best bet here (no shipping). If your going to be doing mainly vocal recording, get a 58 used. Cheap, works, don't need to worry as much about background noise / reflections etc and will be better than a cheap condenser. Works fine on guitar too.

software-wise. If you want a full blown DAW Reaper is the way to go for cheap, $60 for a fully functional DAW. Keep an eye out for sales or coupon codes (although i don't believe they do that much). There are TONS of free plugins out there that it wont be an issue at all.

EDIT: What computer are you running? Asking as one of your concerns of the interface was to 'handle' all the instruments etc. If you mean by ins/outs then that is all interface, but having 48+ tracks, all with plugins is going to depend on your computer specs. Just something to think about as well.

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Interface help

The computer I cannot really say. I will check when I get home. I know it can run most things on it with no issue. Thanks for all the help guys. Once we get something recorded I'll make sure to upload it.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Interface help

Run dxdiag.exe and let us know the processor and RAM, that's really the 2 biggest factors. Hard Drive model if you got it (so we can know the speed).

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Interface help

Also, don't feel bad about having your band mates chip in and then buy them out over time.

If they really want to get this done they will do what needs to be done.

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Interface help

Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you guys. Had a ton of life to deal with for a couple days. As for the processor it is a quad core intel coming out to 2.7 ghz with four gigs of ram.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Interface help

Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you guys. Had a ton of life to deal with for a couple days. As for the processor it is a quad core intel coming out to 2.7 ghz with four gigs of ram.

That's should be adequate in terms of CPU, but you'll want at least 8GB of RAM if possible. I'm assuming Windows 7; the actual requirements may be different if I'm incorrect here.

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Interface help

It is 7. I have extra ram I can throw in. I have a few towers just sitting around the house.

 

[Hurricane]

Re: Interface help

You can't loose with the Focusrite series , there are entry level units @ around $150.00

If your band mates kick in you may consider spending a little more to get a lot more out
of your recordings by buying into one of the better units . The ones with two headphone outs
will make recording a lot smoother when you do two ( musicians ) at a time .

EZ :

HR

 

[Mincer]

Re: Interface help

I use an older Focusrite Firewire interface, and they are probably pretty cheap now. It sounds great, and it is quiet. Very low latency, too.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Interface help

I use an older Focusrite Firewire interface, and they are probably pretty cheap now. It sounds great, and it is quiet. Very low latency, too.

Pro Audio Star in Booklyn is blowing them out now for $250, I think. A steal!

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Interface help

This is the interface I use for all my recording and my internet radio show.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UMC404HD

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Interface help

Once again thank you guys for all the help. I am going to look into the behringer more when I get home. I have never had a problem with any behringer product before so...

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Interface help

Lexicon Alpha interface is like $50, has 1 mic and 2 line inputs, and connects via USB. Firewire is not a standard option on most computers, so those interfaces might be money wasted. You'll have to know what your computer can and cannot do before you spend money. USB is on everything, though.

2 mics should not be a necessity right away, so the 1 XLR input should be fine until you upgrade.