Best starter USB interface?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Justinic
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Justinic

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Hi everyone, I've been doing some reading on this forum after I stumbled across it while looking for information on USB interfaces. I basically need something that will let me record guitar and vocal tracks, and I doubt I'll ever be using more than 2 tracks at a time.

I'll probably be using the Reaper software to record on, and I've been researching a few different USB 2.0 interfaces. The ones I've been looking at are the Line 6 Pod Studio UX2 and the TASCAM US-800. My basic goal is something that won't break the bank, yet will be easy to use and works well with Windows 7. I've heard of a few issues with Win7 and the TASCAM, but part of me wants to purchase it just in case I ever need additional inputs.

I'm just curious which one of these two you all would recommend, or if there's another interface that may work out better for me.

Thanks
Justin
 
I am a biased Tascam US1641 user. For $218 I got 16 in and 4+2 monitor outs that work flawless with W7.

Jimmy
 
I've been using the UX2 for a couple months now, and its not a bad interface for a newbie like me.
It comes with pretty decent gear and presets that you can switch around

A couple drawbacks I mite mention is that:

You cannot get 2 separate tracks simultaneously for your vocal and guitar
I thought you could when I first bought it but you can only use dual tones
It still sounds good though...

Also, only 2 inputs at a time

Some people report issues with their phantom power not producing enough power for 2 condensers at a time
I only have 1 condenser and a dynamic and they seem to work fine

personally for me, I didnt have enough money to buy a preamp so I just got the ux2 since it has preamps and other amps as gear in pod farm
 
+1 on the fast track pro. especially at that price, i used one at a friends small studio and liked it a lot for the price
 
No specific product recommendations, but...

Buy high quality, with the maximum number of inputs you can afford.

The be prepared to be a couple of inputs short in...oh...30 minutes...
 
jimmys69 said:
I am a biased Tascam US1641 user. For $218 I got 16 in and 4+2 monitor outs that work flawless with W7.

Jimmy
Click to expand...

I'll be honest, the US1641 was the interface I looked at first. It was, at the time, listed in MusiciansFriend for $299. Then it was on sale for $249. Now that I'm ready to order I'm finding it at various stores for $399, and that makes me sad.
 
Yep. Same thing with better front panel knobs and an external power supply (1641 makes noise through outputs only with unbalanced cables due to internal ps.). I'm surprised the price went back up. B&H had on sale when I got my 1641.
 
Do you have a Guitar Center where you live? They will beat B&H $259 price by 10%.
 
I've seen this large disparity too in pricing?
$209 to $399? retail at $499??

It is discontinued. I called GC and google product searched...etc..
GC to match B&H for $245+tax...B&H at $260 no tax no shipping.

But some post $209 from B&H no tax no shipping? refurb? return units? the buyers seemed happy. thats $60 difference to the one I got today. (this is getting to be like Wall Street! moving prices..)

I decided to have one shipped here to compare side by side to the Pro40 I have.

I was enticed by the 1641 unit being designed around older pc's especially, so my old pc is double what the 1641 was based on. so the 1641 is like NOS. $245+tax free shipping.

One piece of my shopping goal was to NOT force myself into buying a new computer and so NOS might be great for me....I dont mind 2007-2009 its still 24/44
 
I ended up ordering the US-1800 today from Guitar Center. $299 but it had a 10% off coupon, so it came out to about $269. Now I just have to wait, as it was backordered on all the sites until the 22nd.
 
I started out digitally with a Tascam US-122. 2 inputs. 99 bucks. Worked great, came with Cubase LE.
 
jimmys69 said:
Bummer, yet yay! Come back if you have any questions. :)

Jimmy
Click to expand...

I plan on visiting the site more often, there's a ton of knowledge on these forums. Best to learn from other people than waste a lot of time and money.
 
A can't begin to explain how helpful this forum has been. With the proper sprinkling of humor with it. :)
 
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