Best small USB audio interface

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WesternSlope

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I realize these boards get inundated with similar threads. I'm looking for these things

Ease of use

Quality of product/support

Best/Easiest packaged DAW

and effects either built in or packaged with the DAW

I've feel like I've researched myself in circles. I was sure that I was going to purchase a Focusrite 2i2 as I've literally got zero expierience in recording. Then I heard the Steinberg UR22 was a superior model. Now I'm hearing about the M Audio offering and the Prosonus vsl22. A huge component for me will be the packaged software effects. I'm going for total bang for the buck.

I'll be using it initially for some straight voice work and then tinkering with vocals and acoustic guitar. I've seen some of the older threads about these things and realize there is no perfect entry level offering but I want to make sure that I'm getting something that fits my needs.
 
Many/most interfaces come wiht a limited edition DAW. Not sure how much 'bang for the buck' you get with plug-ins wiht these.

Reaper (free to download, $60 to register) comes with a host of good plug-ins. There's a learning curve with it (specially if you have no recording experience), but there is an extensive manual and the Reaper forums are very helpful.

On the interface, any of the ones you mention would be good starting choices.
 
mjbphotos said:
Many/most interfaces come wiht a limited edition DAW. Not sure how much 'bang for the buck' you get with plug-ins wiht these.

Reaper (free to download, $60 to register) comes with a host of good plug-ins. There's a learning curve with it (specially if you have no recording experience), but there is an extensive manual and the Reaper forums are very helpful.

On the interface, any of the ones you mention would be good starting choices.
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Thanks man are the Roland and vsl22 worth 50 bucks more than the steinberg and focusrite? Also, I read about non stereo on the steinberg and that the vsl22 doesn't support line level input? I could still mic my cab correct?
 
At that level, I'd go with the Steinberg, it's pretty well-liked.
 
Never buy entry level anything is my motto.... save a few more shekels and buy up.

The Focusrite range, for instance, it's starting point for me is the 6i6 - same preamps probably, lots more connectivity options. You don't know what you'll do with it yet. You'll probably ignore me, so see you back here when you're asking "How do I do X with my basic interface?" "You can't" being the main answer.

And don't buy a stripped back DAW either, for the same reasons.
 
Armistice said:
Never buy entry level anything is my motto.... save a few more shekels and buy up.

The Focusrite range, for instance, it's starting point for me is the 6i6 - same preamps probably, lots more connectivity options. You don't know what you'll do with it yet. You'll probably ignore me, so see you back here when you're asking "How do I do X with my basic interface?" "You can't" being the main answer.

And don't buy a stripped back DAW either, for the same reasons.
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I agree. I bought Focusrite and use Reaper. There appears to be no downside to this combination.
 
There is no "best" interface, just as there is no "best" car. It all depends upon what you want/need to do and how much you are prepared to pay. A top of the range Merc' is unlikely to disappoint (unless you live on a farm!) and by the same token neither is an RME UCX.

But, back here where us poor folks live, sights have to be lowered. In fact there are only 1/2 dozen or so converter chips and USB controllers around so EVERYTHING on the market sub about $1000 is a variation on a theme..AND! You lucky people, they are all good! Pre amp circuits too have matured (converged?) really nothing bad out there anymore.

The one area that is still a lottery is well written and solid drivers and truly low latency and there is one interface that stands head and shoulders above all else in its price class and quite a bit more and that is the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6. Nothing wrong with Focusrite/Tascam/Roland et al but if those two qualities mentioned matter to you the KA6 is the one to go for. It will also run on macs and Linux.

As far as cut down DAWs is concerned? My son was quite happy with Cubase LE6. If you can't get it right with 32 tracks, maybe you're never gonna? Then there is always Reaper!

Dave.
 
Yup.

Choose your interface on price and features, making sure all your shortlist have proper direct hardware monitoring (some just have a switch rather than a knob to mix) and MIDI if you need it. Ignore the included DAW...it will be a heavily stripped down version design to trap you into buying the full version. If money is an issue, jump straight to Reaper.

I've had no problems with M Audio but, as Dave says, there's not a lot of difference among the interfaces anyway.
 
My vote goes for the Focusrite. I've had one for a couple of years and its been great. Lovely pre amps and the build quality is amazing. I love the big monitor knob as well.

Bundled software is always awful. Save up to buy Pro Tools or Logic and in the mean time use Reaper!

The Focusrite is obviously limited by its number of inputs though. If you need more inputs I'm afraid you'll have to pay the extra for a larger interface! In this case, the 6i6 is also great.
 
The limited features that go along with the audio interfaces are there to make you buy the "pro" version. You'll need it some day or another.

Just get reaper for $60 with full features and invest your money on a better interface. I'd go with focusrite for a small usb audio interface.
 
gecko zzed said:
And then, when you have saved up enough, keep Reaper and spend the money on new mikes.
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Also great advice :)

Most DAWs are equally powerful when you know how to use them. They just work differently. Find the one you prefer and use that! If it's Reaper, sweet, extra bucks to spend on gear.

Personally I just prefer the work flow in Pro Tools!
 
...and despite formal training and using Pro Tools professionally for several years, I never got over the feeling I was fighting it rather than working as a team.

That's not to say that Pro Tools is bad...it just doesn't work for me. That's why the best advice is to try out two or three (definitely including Reaper) and seeing which you get on best with.
 
Bobbsy said:
...and despite formal training and using Pro Tools professionally for several years, I never got over the feeling I was fighting it rather than working as a team.

That's not to say that Pro Tools is bad...it just doesn't work for me. That's why the best advice is to try out two or three (definitely including Reaper) and seeing which you get on best with.
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Musn't fight it Bobbs! Once it knows you are scared, you are buggered!

Dave.
 
Bobbsy said:
I never got over the feeling I was fighting it rather than working as a team.
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I get the same sensation when working with most adobe products: photoshop, after effects, and so on. They just do my head in. I can do circus tricks with vegas or reaper or whatever, but some products are programmed in a way that is totally foreign to how i think about things.
 
Whereas I get on with Audition, Photoshop, Premiere Pro etc. and not some of the others.

Vive la difference. Or something.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I know ill outgrow my little 2x at some point but my goal right now is to just get a lot of mic time in and play with some of the stripped down daws to see what feels best. Just went through an ugly divorce so coin is at a premium. And my real focus at this point is voice work. Now trying to hone in on mics and to decide what else to add to the chain .thanks again
 
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