Interface Advice?

[akutak]

Hey all,

I'd like to get into recording, and need advice on an interface. I'd like firewire, MIDI, at least 2 mic pres (preferably more,) and around $300. I'm using a laptop with Windows 7, 64-bit... which a lot of things aren't compatible with yet. Bundled with decent software is a bonus... any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[ido1957]

There's not too much known about Windows 7 drivers for a lot of Interfaces yet.....

 

[TimOBrien]

Here's a good guide and tested suggestions that WORK: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

(you'll want to bookmark and read through all of Tweak's Guide while you're there...)

Another good article: Choosing an audio interface - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep08/articles/audiointerfaces.htm

 

[strangedogs]

If they have Vista 64-bit drivers they should work with 7. I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64 on one partition and 32 on another - I find most everyting I use works fine with older drivers especially with Windows 7's "compatibility mode" options. My Boss GS-10 works great and it was discontinued 4 or 5 years ago - there's UNFORTUNATELY no 64-bit drivers for it so I record my guitar parts on my 32-bit side (Sonar Producer 8.5) and do everything else (midi, tweaking, etc.) and drag my guitar tracks over to my 64-bit partition, using Sonar 8.5 64-bit which is really nice IMO. It WORKS for me! As a die-hard Mac user I never thought I'd go back to Windows but Windows 7 made a believer outta me - I love it. I still love my G5 and so a lot of recording with it using Logic Studio 9 but wanted to use all the great Windows-Only Free amp sims and VST's so I bought a new Windows laptop - reformatted to get rid of Vista - installed Win 7 and am using it more and more lately. Vista SUCKED - 7 RULZ!

 

[akutak]

Thanks, Tim. I had read through Tweakz' guide before posting, which is mostly how I'd narrowed down my choices. That other article was new though. Thank you.

strangedogs, thanks for posting your experience. I hadn't been able to find many posts on here from people who are using Windows 7. Thanks!

Anyone have any suggestions on what specific interface to get?