choosing the right audio interface

  • Thread starter Thread starter plawp
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plawp

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Hello, my name is George, and I would like to get into some serious home recording.

I read a brief tutorial on the subject, and it suggested purchasing the Layla 3G. I then found out about the Gina 3G, which is almost half the cost, and it may do the trick for what I want. And then I read a thread about audio interfaces on this forum, and my head started spinning with all of the choices people brought up.

I would be using this to record guitar, bass, and vocal tracks. The drums are going to be sequenced, so I only need enough inputs to record one instrument at a time. I am using Windows XP and am most likely going to use Sonar 6 for recording/sequencing. Would Gina do the trick? Does anyone know if it has decent mic preamps, or do most audio interfaces need additional mic preamps for good recordings? (I briefly looked at the Lexicon Omega, and all of the reviews said the onboard mic preamps were weak)

I would like to spend under 500 dollars, and keep the interface's features in line with what I'm doing. (so 8 inputs probably isn't necessary)

Thanks for your help, and I am VERY new at this, so any and all info is appreciated.

George
 
chances are your first audio interface will not be your last. And given your modest budget, I think we can be sure of that.

So, my personal suggestion would be to look at something like an EMU 1212U and then put a nice preamp in front of it. I have this set up with an FMR RNP 2 Channel running via 1/4 balanced lines to the EMU 1212U and I am very happy with my results.

For software, I think you could save a lot of dough by looking at something like Reaper. It is free to try for as long as you want, so it is definately a good place to start. I recently moved from Sonar to Reaper and have been very happy. There are things that I miss from Sonar, but as a new user, you will not have the point of reference.

Check out the FMR RNP. I think you will find that people like it fine. The 1212U I have been running for 2 years now and I am extremely happy. 1212U with Windows XP Home on an AMD 2400+ with 1 GB RAM, a 40GB OS disk and an additional 80GB (8mb buffer) disk for audio and I am running really well.

Additional bonuses with this set up:

- Reaper comes with a ton of killer plug ins
- FMR will likely stay in your studio forever
- FMR RNP has inserts so you could add a compressor or eq down the road

Good luck.

Jim
 
I have an M-Audio FW410 for sale for 150.00 if your interested. It's compatible with Pro Tools M powered as well. PM me if your interested.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Someone else recommended I get the FMR RNP as well. How does this compare to the preamps that come with some audio interfaces? (Gina or the M-Audio 410).

I couldn't find the EMU 1212U, is this the same thing:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...ystem?sku=241213&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=2170928

That + the FMR seems like a good option, although I like the idea of having an external device in case I want to hook it up onto a different computer.
 
I haven't actually used the RNP but I'd guess it's much better than anything you'd find in an interface.
 
plawp said:
Thanks for the info guys. Someone else recommended I get the FMR RNP as well. How does this compare to the preamps that come with some audio interfaces? (Gina or the M-Audio 410).

I couldn't find the EMU 1212U, is this the same thing:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...ystem?sku=241213&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=2170928

That + the FMR seems like a good option, although I like the idea of having an external device in case I want to hook it up onto a different computer.
Click to expand...

That is the same thing.

If you want something completely mobile you could look at the Toneport UX1 or UX2 or presonus firepod or the RME Fireface (listed from lowest cost to highest)

I have used a UX1 and a firepod and own a Fireface 800. All of those are external sound cards with built in preamps.
 
To each their own but I'd rather not be tied to preamps built into an interface. I prefer a clean interface and then pick and choose my own preamps. I'm stuck on outboard pres.
 
punkin said:
To each their own but I'd rather not be tied to preamps built into an interface. I prefer a clean interface and then pick and choose my own preamps. I'm stuck on outboard pres.
Click to expand...
+10 Exactly :)
 
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