Help Choosing between a computer interface ASAP

[XJolt]

I want to purchase some sort of interface in which to be able to record my guitar playing onto my computer. I will most likely be using SONAR 5 along with lots of vst plugins and mabey some other programs.

Currently i have a sick gaming rig for a computer but definatly not a good sound card (creative audigy 2 ZS). Im trying to find the cheapest thing i can buy to be able to a) record tracks into sonar, and b) use fx and virtual stomp boxes and use my speakers as an amp (this is for practice only of coarse).

Ive been playing around with my current set up of Guitar --> $20 practice amp ----> line out on practice amp ---> line in on audigy 2 ---> SONAR ---> Speakers.

The problem is the sound quality is only so-so and i get like 25ms lag making playing with effects near impossible.

Ive done some research and im thinking of maybe getting the line 6 guitarport. However, on their page they brag about their own software which i would not want to use (i have SONAR), and wanted to know if i could set it up like this : guitar ---> guitarport ----> SONAR ----> Speakers. And have this without bad latency and still get good sound quality for recordings. Also in comparison how good are the M-AUDIO products such as their "Fast Track USB" and "Jamlab products"

I have about 200 bux and little time any help or opinoins would be much appreciated.

TYIA,
xjolt

 

[MichaelM]

If you want some basic soundcard info, read the post thats in my signature.
IMO, if you want better sounding guitar, you'll benefit a lot from using a microphone on the guitar amp, rather than using the amps line out. Those line outs tend to make the guitar sound very thin, and if you are using any distortion it just gets worse.

You can use the GuitarPort in Sonar using ASIO drivers (http://www.line6.com/guitarport/requirements.html). However if it were me I'd get a soundcard that has a line input. From what I can tell the guitar port is just a guitar DI box with amp modelling. Get a nice card with line ins and you'll have something that is much more flexible for when you want to start doing things that are a bit more complex.

 

[blazingstrings]

I too was looking at the guitar port and found it unsudable for me.
I bought a M-Audio Mobile pre and was very happy.

-Blaze

 

[XJolt]

Thanks

i read your sig and looked at all those companies and although i know you said to pick one that suits my needs im unsure exactly what does....

So if im looking for a USB audio/sound card for less than $200 what should i buy? any specifics you have experiance with would be much appreciated.

Also if i where to get one of these USB sound cards, do they have preamps built directly into them so i can skip using my crappy amp?

And as for the amp/mic set up, i just can do it not enough money, so thats out of the question....would you still recommend buying a nice soundcard over one of those cheap guitarport things?

thanks,
xjolt

Update: After some more research im thinking of getting either the line6 TonePort UX1 USB interface or the Tascam US122 Audio/MIDI Interface, would these be good, if so which one is best? TY

 

[MichaelM]

I don't have a real lot of experience with any of the USB devices, do a search of the computer forum and you'll likely get some answers. The TonePort I think would be much more useful to you in the long run comparted to the guitar port. At least it's got a mic in so you can record vocals and stuff if you need to later.

Do a search and find out what people who are using it think though before you go out and spend the cash

 

[cpc]

i have a mobile pre and it works fine for my needs. my understanding is that usb interfaces work great as long as you dont need more than 2 channels or so.

also, if you order it from musiciansfriend.com you get a free mxl990 condenser mic...and if you order it from zzounds.com you get a free m-audio aeries condenser mic.

 

[Nick98338]

USB has 2 wires to send signals with. And, the interface sometimes has to send synchronization signals down one of those wires. So, sometimes USB can really only send an audio signal down 1 wire at a time. One direction at a time. If you are recording (signal in) and trying to listen at the same time (signal out) then only having two wires is a problem. Firewire has 4 wires to send signal with. You can have two in and one out (or visa-versa) and still have a wire for sync. Makes recording and listening at the same time much less choppy.

 

[TimOBrien]

Good starter guide and recomendations:

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm