Hello there!!!

[Bennie and the jets]

Hi I'm Bennie, I'm a 62 y/o disabled male who has been making music with the computer for many years now . I recently brought my system up to date with a new computer which came with win 11 installed. My question is, can anybody recommend a usb audio interface that works with win 11 and recording software. I have to say, I'm on a bit of a budget so I'd like to go as cheap as pos. but still give a reasonable quality of sound. I'd be grateful for any suggestion [as long as it's clean] I use Bass [my main instrument], six string electric and Spanish guitar, along with synthesizers which interoperates a drum m
achine. Thanks.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

Hi Bennie.
I dont think you can go far wrong with any of the popular brands. I'm using this win 11 laptop for browsing, but my music laptop is win 10.
Focusrite 2i2 might be a decent low end choice. Add a cheap large diaphram mic and stand, and you're sorted.

 

[ecc83]

Hi Bennie, I would advise you NOT to go too cheap. From a strictly sound quality point of view there are some very good interfaces around but from a practical, operation aspect, not perhaps the best bet? (suggestions on that later)

Two issues strike me with your instrument line up. You will want direct bass input I guess and possible DI'ed guitar? (but do you have an amp?) Then a synth and a drum machine. MIDI? That setup means two mic/line/instru inputs and a line in for synth and one for drum mech' (assuming mono)

Top of the range IMO for that spec is the MOTU M4 at $270. Equally as good soundwise I would say is the Native Instrument KA6 at $250 and the Focusrite 4i4 is on offer at Sweetwater for $220. I give prices in $$ because I don't know where you live Ben! (me Limey) All of those interfaces will give you top quality sound and low latency.

The M4 comes with a free copy of Performer and the KA6 with Ableton but I strongly suggest you download the "pansonic" Reaper and pay the $60 fee when you can and want to remove the nag.

As promised, some cheaper alternatives and Behringer is the word! Lowest AI in the range I would go for is the UMC204HD. Had one. They are OK and the sound quality is excellent. Operationally not as good as the above, especially the M4 but as I say "OK". I am not sure which model you need to get to have the 2 mics+2 line ins but DO read the speccs very carefully.


Microphones: Behringer have the XM8500 dynamic which at ~$30 is remarkably good. A good $100 capacitor is the Mackie EM-91c. How do you listen to your music Bennie? More to say but I shall STFU for now!

Dave.