Which audio interface is right for me?

  • Thread starter Thread starter triquee
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triquee

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Hello all!

I just lost my first post in a login snafu and I'm a little miffed, so I'll try to keep it short.

I'm working on a setup for vocal recording. So far, I have a mixer - the Behringer Xenyx 1202fx. Soon I will be purchasing a mic...I'm trying to decide between the Rode NT1-A and the AKG Perception 220. I'll probably end up going with the NT1-A since the package comes with a pop filter, cord, and shock mount and my budget isn't all that large.

The computer I have, I built myself. It's fast and current, but I built it for gaming with no regard to sound. My current audio is the VIA HD chip that is integrated into the motherboard, so I know I'm going to need a new audio interface. But as far as what to get, I'm at a total loss. I've done some research, but I'm still a little confused. Some help from those who know would be greatly appreciated...

I've looked at internal interfaces like the M-Audio Delta series cards and the E-MU cards, but when it comes to external interfaces, I'm still a bit lost. My mixer has a fine number of effects presets, however, it is lacking compression. I'd like to find an audio interface with a built in compression feature. I'm leaning more toward an external unit because I have a rather large graphics card which is obstructing one of my PCIex1 slots. I suppose I could move it down to my other PCIex16 slot, but I'm concerned about clearance and airflow.

So, ideally, I'm looking for a USB 2.0 audio interface that will work well with my mixer and that has built in compression for under $200 - although, I'd be willing to sacrifice the built-in compression. Maybe I could go with a separate compression unit, but I know that doing so may put me out of my budget range. Also, I'm not totally ruling out internals.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
 
You don't need compression or other f/x in a mixer/interface - that's what your DAW (software) is for. You also don't need the mixer in your recording chain if you're only recording 1 mic at a time.
The M Audio Fast Track Pro is mos-often recommended if you will only need u to 4 tracks recorded at one time.
 
I have the same question
i have a mac book pro 3,1
and a behringher mixer
but i don't know if to buy an m-audio
these are my video here
 
Yes. You don't need built in compression. Compression is better when you can apply it after tracking with the DAW. This way you can change or tweak it.

As far as a usb interface, they all work well. I like the presonus I have. But there are numerous other ones that will get the job done.
 
in italy is pretty easy to find an m-audio 410 used for 120 euros
si it is firewire and i want to buy it
 
mjbphotos said:
You don't need compression or other f/x in a mixer/interface - that's what your DAW (software) is for. You also don't need the mixer in your recording chain if you're only recording 1 mic at a time.
The M Audio Fast Track Pro is mos-often recommended if you will only need u to 4 tracks recorded at one time.
Click to expand...

I second that
 
i do not have buy still m-audio
maybe i can find a card firewire with send and return...
 
agreed, if you stick to keeping it simple with the interface then you won't need to fork out huge chunks of unnecessary cash.
Also, I would advise at this point thinking about what you might want to do with your interface in the future. Will you want to be multitrack recording? Will you just always want to vocal overdub on existing tracks?
Have a look at this page on multitrack interfaces which should give you an idea of the alternatives, especially if you wanted to start using a bit more of the capabilities of your behringer mixer. You could record a couple of guitar mics simultaneously, it's often done in the pro world so why not?!
 
I read your review pretty much interesting...
but do not solve for me now...
 
mjbphotos said:
You don't need compression or other f/x in a mixer/interface - that's what your DAW (software) is for. You also don't need the mixer in your recording chain if you're only recording 1 mic at a time.
The M Audio Fast Track Pro is mos-often recommended if you will only need u to 4 tracks recorded at one time.
Click to expand...

At the moment, I won't be using DAW. Should have probably mentioned that. This setup is for recording voice only into an online flash driven recording platform. Though, it is something I will be using later.
 
triquee said:
At the moment, I won't be using DAW. Should have probably mentioned that. This setup is for recording voice only into an online flash driven recording platform. Though, it is something I will be using later.
Click to expand...

just get a usb mic
 
arcadeko said:
just get a usb mic
Click to expand...

Yikes.

I'm looking to expand later. I'm looking for a setup that will work for what I need it to right now, with some components that will fit well into a quality recording setup in the future.

Do you know of a usb mic that will meet my effects and compression needs?
 
jdutchak91 said:
Yes. You don't need built in compression. Compression is better when you can apply it after tracking with the DAW. This way you can change or tweak it.

As far as a usb interface, they all work well. I like the presonus I have. But there are numerous other ones that will get the job done.
Click to expand...

Hmm...The PreSonus AudioBox USB is in the sweet spot for my budget. Do you know if the Studio One software that comes with it will allow me to compress in real time?
 
triquee said:
Yikes.

I'm looking to expand later. I'm looking for a setup that will work for what I need it to right now, with some components that will fit well into a quality recording setup in the future.

Do you know of a usb mic that will meet my effects and compression needs?
Click to expand...

Oh - I thought you were just doing voice - like a pod cast.

Effects and compression should stay in the DAW. Audacity is Free, Reaper is cheap with a free trial. They both have compression and effects.
If you want to expand later then you just need to figure out what you will be adding over the next year or so and get something with enough inputs for that.
did you read the sticky on multitrack interfaces in this forum?
 
cobaltaudio said:
agreed, if you stick to keeping it simple with the interface then you won't need to fork out huge chunks of unnecessary cash.
Also, I would advise at this point thinking about what you might want to do with your interface in the future. Will you want to be multitrack recording? Will you just always want to vocal overdub on existing tracks?
Have a look at this page on multitrack interfaces which should give you an idea of the alternatives, especially if you wanted to start using a bit more of the capabilities of your behringer mixer. You could record a couple of guitar mics simultaneously, it's often done in the pro world so why not?!
Click to expand...

Great link! Thanks for the ideas...
 
arcadeko said:
Oh - I thought you were just doing voice - like a pod cast.

Effects and compression should stay in the DAW. Audacity is Free, Reaper is cheap with a free trial. They both have compression and effects.
If you want to expand later then you just need to figure out what you will be adding over the next year or so and get something with enough inputs for that.
did you read the sticky on multitrack interfaces in this forum?
Click to expand...

I haven't read the sticky yet, but I will.

The tricky part is, the effects and compression need to be applied in real time (like live) I believe. I'm not sure that I can pre-record and feed it into the platform. It's like online karaoke.
 
arcadeko said:
Let me guess.. it's big and blue and shaped like a button?
Click to expand...

It was the subtleties of being newly registered and after clicking the email confirmation link, having to log in 27 times (really only like 2 or 3) in order for it to recognize that I was a registered user.

But hey, I can post URLs now. Today is looking up.
 
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