Intergace Selection

[paneerakbari]

I just started working with a small-time band that needs to get some songs recorded. They've been saving gig money for professional studio time, but I've been trying to convince them to take a run at amateur recording first. None of them have ever studio recorded before and aren't the most serious or organized bunch. The accumulation of money from shows is generally hampered by their bar tabs at the end of the night.

I've been reading and shopping for good (and cheap) audio interfaces and just want to bounce some ideas off of people more experienced with it than me. I'll run down what equipment and instrument hookups we currently have.

Two acoustic guitars and a mandolin: 1/4"
3 Vocal mics: XLR connectors
3 miced instruments using 1/4" TRS on 4 channels
Peavey XR1200D mixer
Several newer Windows-based desktop PCs

I've been weighing the options and can't decide between a PCI unit and a USB. The mixer output is limited to a single L/R RCA. I would like to keep the budget under $200, and anything lower than that is more than welcome.

The Tascam US-122L
Yamaha Audiogram 3
Lexicon Omega

and the PCI:
M-Audio Delta 44 (looked at the 66, but with no digital output from the mixer, I'm just not sure.)

Any info is appreciated, especially if it helps.

 

[Tifstorey]

I've only ever had experience with the Delta 44 which i can say worked wonders for the price tag, however - you might struggle recording drums with only 4 inputs unless you were to split which could then come back to haunt you when your mixing.

I agree that the band should try and record their own stuff first, will help them detail what sound they're really after. Depending on the music, might sound better with that raw feeling of a low-budget recording, i'm personally a big fan of that.

To get a decent recording, the 44 would be adequate. However, you might also need to look into some decent condenser mics (I'm presuming the 3 you mention are dynamics?). They would work of course, but the clarity of the sound wouldn't be as good unless they're top end mics you have.

You would also need software, there are a few that are freeware/cheap (I've heard Reaper is brilliant - never tried it but very cheap!). That being said, i think the Delta 44 comes with Cubase LE (?) which would work great for you.

Hope that helps a little and i've not just added more to the equation.

Good luck,

 

[paneerakbari]

Fortunately no drums to consider. Also, and this one is somewhat surprising, they have good-quality condenser mics.

The band's been playing for less than a year, but they usually play bars to weekend crowds of 40-50 people. The audience size has been increasing, though, and they want to assemble a demo for other venues. So far as software goes, I think the 44 comes with Cubase LE, we have Audacity, Audition, and Pro Tools. Software doesn't intimidate me so much, it tends not to get outgrown as quickly as hardware does.

Thanks for the input!

 

[mcmetal]

i've been reading up on interfaces myself lately & so far i'm leaning towards the emu tracker pre usb 2.0.the tascam 144 is only bout 20 bucks more than the 122 & has more features.the tascams' only have a headphone out for monitoring & no L/R outputs for studio monitors.the audiogram 6 is better than the 3 & not to much more expensive but both only 1.1 usb & only record at 16bit and for the same price range you'd be better off getting something that'll do 24 bit recording.i'm using vista so i need an audioface that'll offer vista drivers & support.so far i'm hearing good things about the emu tracker.

 

[paneerakbari]

Interface Selection

Turns out I can't type very well. XD

I had overlooked the 16bit limitation on the audiogram, thanks for pointing that out. Also, I'm leaning away from the Delta 44 and it's older sibling the 66 because they lack support for XP Media Center, which is the OS on the computer closest to the equipment. The lack of any kind of output on the Tascam was also a drawback. From looking at that emu, though, I'm quite a bit more pleased with what I'm seeing there. Thanks again.