recording interface for computer

[GoDrex]

yeah that sounds good - too expensive for me though.

 

[m4rk0]

I have always used a creative labs sound card with an external interface. I believe it was the Audigy EX.
the good part of it is that it has a built in synth, so you can just plug in a midi keyboard and not use any additional synth software.
anyway, I haven't used it for about 2 years now, and it is about 5 years old now, so I am also looking for something new now. something else with a built in synth would be nice.

 

[m4rk0]

ProTools is the way to go.

Here's a piece of a tune I recorded without using a single microphone.  ProTools7.1, using the Digi002 interface.  The gutar sounds are an Ibanez Destroyer running through Guitar Rig II.  The bass is a Spector 5 string running through Amplitube.  The drums are BFD Lite (included with ProTools).   This is an early version of the track, and just a rough mix.  I've done considerable work to it since, but it'll give you an idea.  Despite the extra expense, I feel that Digidesign has the best stuff out there for home recording.  I've recently upgraded to ProTools 8, and the MIDI handling is now really useful as well.

Ha, I was going to post a clip too, but not after hearing this! sounds really tight!

 

[GoDrex]

Well I don't know what I'd use midi for. I'm really only interested in recording guitar - either from the output of my Fender Cyber Deluxe, or from micing it or my other amp. I don't own a bass yet so I use a program to create bass and drum parts. I may get a bass someday, so I guess it would be nice if I could record direct with the bass (without a mic). That's really all I need. I don't foresee ever using keyboard parts or synth sounds. Any kinds of sounds I want to make I like to figure out how to make with a guitar.

 

[AndyG]

Well I don't know what I'd use midi for. I'm really only interested in recording guitar - either from the output of my Fender Cyber Deluxe, or from micing it or my other amp. I don't own a bass yet so I use a program to create bass and drum parts. I may get a bass someday, so I guess it would be nice if I could record direct with the bass (without a mic). That's really all I need. I don't foresee ever using keyboard parts or synth sounds. Any kinds of sounds I want to make I like to figure out how to make with a guitar.

Well, I'm not a keyboard player, but the entire drum track you heard on my clip is MIDI ... triggering BFD Lite.  Playing drums with a keyboard is not the most intuitive way to go, but it works.

Again, using amp modeling software like Amplitube, Guitar Rig, or Digidesign Eleven, you have a ton of guitar and bass amps to choose from.  You literally plug your instrument into the interface, and voila!  You've got TONE!!

 

[Superlizard]

Can anyone recommend a decent interface for recording with a computer. I've been using my soundcard and I feel like the quality suffers a lot, especially when the guitar sound is distorted. I guess what I need is something that has a good analog to digital converter.

I'm thinking something like this: http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.US44010 or this:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Fast-Track-Pro-Mobile-USB-Audio-MIDI-Interface?sku=241710

or

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/EMu-0404-USB-2.0-Recording-Interface?sku=242516

What sampling rate are you recording at?

 

[tfarny]

I'm away on work stuff, if you're still interested in a week I'll get back to you.

 

[elgravos]

I've heard some good things about this little piece of kit:

http://www.alesis.com/io2

My main advice on this type of gear is to make sure that it also includes audio monitoring as well as audio inputs.  If you're monitoring your playing out of a different device (such as a separate onboard soundcard) you are asking for a world of synch problems.

IMO it's probably well worth checking out ebay and seeing if you can pick up something a little bit used along the MOTU / Mackie / Presonus etc.  an 828MKII or a Mackie Onyx type product would be a great start.

I'd also recommend firewire over USB (even 2.0) for the sole reason that people tend not to run any additional devices (such as mouse / keyboard etc.) on that channel so the risks of conflict or other glitches are seriously reduced. 

Once you're running a decent device in 24 bits at at 48khz or higher you shouldn't have to worry too much about the sound quality (famous last words...)

 

[Malta]

+1 on the PreSonus Firepod + Cubase LE for a relatively inexpensive home studio setup. You can grab one used for $150-200.

My bandmates and I picked one up a few years back, then added a 2nd piggybacked off the 1st for a total of 16 XLR (or 1/4") inputs. Sounds good for what we do. www.myspace.com/theinterstate to hear samples. Guitarist is playing a mahogany LP on some tracks, others his swamp ash LP (couldn't tell you which is which) both thru an Ampeg VL-502 head and a Laney TT50H head.