small audio interface - what do you guys use?

iliace

I'm trying to help my friend pick out a USB audio interface. She's looking to record mostly vocals, but probably also good to have an instrument in just in case. So possibly 2 channels, possibly with phantom power, and not very expensive.

So far the best option I'm seeing is the ART PreTwo. Anybody try that one, or the TonePorts, Fast Track, etc? Within the $50-150 price range?

guitar3456

Lexicon Lambda are featured one of the better USB rigs and come with a the Cubase LE kit and Pantheon plugins which are great for vocals

shredd

Tell her that a decent condenser mic is probably more important than the i/face...

I have this one and totally dig it. Good sound, quiet, and cheap as hay. Although it doesn't make my singing sound any better... :oops:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-MXL-990-Condenser-Microphone-with-Shockmount?sku=273156

iliace

Doesn't help if she doesn't have anything to plug it into. But if she does end up getting something, I'm going to advocate a full 48v so that she can have a condenser.

Is that what you use for vocals in the stuff you've been recording?

shredd

\iliace\ wrote:

Is that what you use for vocals in the stuff you've been recording?

Yuh...I use that condenser, and a Behringer XM8500 dynamic. The condenser is \"truer\", but with my voice that's not always a good thing, so I use the Behr too... :oops:

steve378

I find the GNX4 as a good audio interface!!

But i also use one of these, behringer uca202

plugged into a behringer 1622 mixer, a fairly cheap set up..

P.G.Shadow

I use the Tascam us-1641...8 xlr in's, 2 guitar in's, 4 other 1/4\" inputs for drum machine..keyboards etc. midi in/out and s/pdif. USB to comp.Record all channels all at once to there own trax in your favorite software. Sure it's $400, but worth it..imho.

iliace

\steve378\ wrote:

I find the GNX4 as a good audio interface!!

But i also use one of these, behringer uca202

plugged into a behringer 1622 mixer, a fairly cheap set up..

The GNX option is good for guitarists, which this isn't... I did look at the UCA possibilities, but looking for something more all-inclusive.

\P.G.Shadow\ wrote:

I use the Tascam us-1641...8 xlr in's, 2 guitar in's, 4 other 1/4\" inputs for drum machine..keyboards etc. midi in/out and s/pdif. USB to comp.Record all channels all at once to there own trax in your favorite software. Sure it's $400, but worth it..imho.

That actually looks awesome. I use a Firepod myself. But in this particular case looking for a smaller, cheaper option. Something like that looks way too intimidating to an inexperienced user.