Interface Recommendations

  • Thread starter Thread starter Keyboard Player
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K

Keyboard Player

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I'm currently looking into getting started with recording my music. I want a cheap (in price, not quality) interface that comes decent software.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MobilePreUSB.html

This is what I was looking at. I like the Ableton software (downloaded a trial version of the software just to see what it was like) but I'm not sure about the quality of the interface. I've read quite alot of reviews and it seems good, but I'd like a second, third, etc. opinions. Software type nor interface really matters to me, as long as I can record music with my laptop for under $400 and have decent sound quality, software, and a good quality interface (meaning it produces decent sound quality and it lasts for more than a week).

Quick question. Can I get away with a simple setup like this: Korg x50, interface, computer? (trying to figure out if I need to buy anything else)

I'm going to be recording a Korg x50 and my computer is a Compaq Presario cq50. It has 2Gs of ram and a AMD Athlon Dual-Core 1.90 GHz processor.

Opinions on this interface or suggestions concerning different interfaces would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

KP

PS: I need a USB interface because my computer doesn't have a firewire jack.
 
Last edited:
Hi KB:
You're looking at the right brand (speaking for myself) but the wrong model.
I'm an M Audio fan so I'm not bashing the company when I say that the Fast Track USB is wrong for you. It's too basic, even for starting out.
Go with the "Fast Track Pro" (remember "Pro").
As well as having a pretty blue light, it has everything you need.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro.html
Features....
The Fast Track Pro delivers all the mobile recording flexibility of the Fast Track USB, plus even more professional features. You get 2 front-panel mic/line inputs complete with phantom power for condenser microphones, inserts for outboard effects balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, S/PDIF digital I/O, MIDI I/O, and more. Fast Track Pro also features near-zero latency direct hardware monitoring and low-latency ASIO software monitoring, plus an A/B source switch and dual output pairs for DJ-style cueing. Fast Track Pro is compatible with most popular PC and Mac music software. USB connection and bus power along with class compliancy for Mac OS X* make it a breeze to set up.
Click to expand...
That's a quote from their site.
I never did get the Ableton thing to work for me and would probably look around at whatever software most folks are using. I'm into Mixcraft, mostly.
There are features on the Fast Track Pro that you may not even realize you need until about 6 months or a year from now.
Obviously there are other choices but I recommend this one because I know it.
By the time you outgrow it, you'll know yourself what you want to buy for an upgrade.
 
What you want to record is very important. If all you want to record is keyboards and MIDI, then a low price interface such as the M Audio mobile stuff should be fine. However, if you ever want to mic anything (vocals, guitars, percussion), then you may want to invest in an interface with some nice built in microphone preamps. M Audio isn't terrible when it comes to preamps, but you might be better off with some like a PreSonus firebox/firepod.

Let us know what you want to record and how many channels you need (how many things do you want to record all at once)

Other than you keybaord and interface, some good studio monitors are essential so you can hear your songs without any coloartion or distortion from regular speakers. Even really nice expensive hifi or computer or gaming speakers arent good for this application. You need studio monitors with a clear, true sound. That would be my recommendation for your next upgrade.

Adam
 
Thanks for the replies. I like the look of the Fast Track Pro. Besides, its only $50 more than the MobliePre on Ebay (new of course). The Firepod looks like a good buy as well. However, my computer doesn't meet the recommended processor speed. And its always good to have the recommended computer power or better. (I'd assume that this is especially true when recording)

Besides Keyboard I"ll probably be recording drum loops (from a drum machine, don't currently know a drummer) and guitar. I don't need to record more than one at a time though.
 
Have a look at some of the "DAW" threads or start your own.
I'm a folky and not into drums at all but I'm sure there are good loops to be found.
 
i hightly DONT recommend the mobile pre usb! the preamps hiss way too loud! my channel one preamp hisses twice as loud as channel 2 actually so that leads me to believe their quality control just isn't that good. you might get 2 nice preamps, or you might get 2 crappy hissy ones. if i use channel 2 i can get some decent gains before the hiss starts.. but channel 1 forget about it.

other than the crappy pre amps though the device has worked fine.
 
Real quick question concerning the Fast Track Pro (and sort of interfaces in general). Are they software specific? Do I have to use Ableton or Pro Tools with the Fast Track Pro? Or can I use Reaper, Cubase, or whatever with it?
 
Big +1 on the tascam us-122 and us-144, they would probably be great units for you. I owned a US-144 for a while and it served me very well. Look for one of the old blue and silver ones though, ive heard bad things about the new black generation (labelled Mk II I believe)

And you can use any interface with any software EXCEPT for pro tools. Pro tools requires either a Digidesign or a specific selection of M-Audio interfaces. However, all M-Audio interfaces can be used with any other software.

Don't get suckered by this, just because Pro Tools is exclusive does NOT make it better. Stick with reaper, I love it even though I could be using pro tools ith my M-Audio interface. Tried it, hated it, went back to REAPER and will be using that for a loooong time until the big brand names get their shit together and catch on to what Cockos is doing.

Good luck,

Adam
 
Real quick question concerning the Fast Track Pro (and sort of interfaces in general). Are they software specific? Do I have to use Ableton or Pro Tools with the Fast Track Pro? Or can I use Reaper, Cubase, or whatever with it?
Click to expand...
In general, the audio interfaces will work with any software.
That's how it is with the Fast Track Pro.
There are one or two which are software specific but that will be plain to see and will most likely come bundled with the interface.
 
Thanks for all of the replies. You guys have been so helpful. I think I have more of an idea of what I want now, and what features and things would be nice to have. Fast Track Pro looks nice, and will probably be what I get, but I'll still poke around and look at my other options. Now I shoud start seriously considering what software I want...
 
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