Which USB Audio Interface?

[Budgie24]

Hi,
I'm new at recording but am interested in some advice from someone who has experience.
I compose quite a lot and would like to keep my music somewhere safe. In that I mean recorded, since I end up forgetting most of my compositions.
Anyway, I want to buy a USB audio interface that will allow me to not only record my guitar tracks but also allow me to record what I already saved on my BOSS RC-2 loop station.
I also use windows vista for now but my computer is getting slightly old and I might want to buy something soon, so not sure what the next operating system will be. Definitely windows. So I need flexibility in that regard.
Can you advise me on particular usb audio interfaces that would fit my needs?
Also, please think budget.
I was looking at the PreSonus AudioBox USB 2X2 USB Recording System and that was my last choice but read some posts saying it is not compatible with line level devices. Does that include the RC-2?
Thanks for your help.

 

[wheelema]

Hi,
I'm new at recording but am interested in some advice from someone who has experience.
I compose quite a lot and would like to keep my music somewhere safe. In that I mean recorded, since I end up forgetting most of my compositions.
Anyway, I want to buy a USB audio interface that will allow me to not only record my guitar tracks but also allow me to record what I already saved on my BOSS RC-2 loop station.
I also use windows vista for now but my computer is getting slightly old and I might want to buy something soon, so not sure what the next operating system will be. Definitely windows. So I need flexibility in that regard.
Can you advise me on particular usb audio interfaces that would fit my needs?
Also, please think budget.
I was looking at the PreSonus AudioBox USB 2X2 USB Recording System and that was my last choice but read some posts saying it is not compatible with line level devices. Does that include the RC-2?
Thanks for your help.

I don't want to come across as an authority here because I'm not. Nor am I familiar with the Boss RC-2 but according to this page the RC-2 inputs and outputs -20dBu so... no... it is not outputting a line level signal.

If you need a means of stepping down a too-hot signal check out Shure's A15AS switchable in-line attenuator. From Shure's website...

...reduces the level of any balanced microphone or line-level signal by 15, 20, or 25 dB. It is specially suited to reducing the level of a high-output microphone to prevent it from overloading the microphone input of a mixer or recorder in applications with high sound pressure levels. In addition, the A15AS may be used to reduce the level of a line-level mixer output to prevent overloading the aux-level input of a recorder.

The A15AS is equipped with a female 3-pin XLR connector on the input side, and a male 3-pin XLR connector on the output side. Attenuation is controlled by a three-position slide switch. The A15AS allows phantom power to pass through from the mixer to the microphone, so it can be used with condenser microphones.

Given the modest price point of the Presonus AudioBox I personally wouldn't expect too much from it but then I have no personal experience with it in particular, just inexpensive gear in general.

Bottom line your proposed setup should work just fine. I personally wouldn't drop any coin on a new computer; a box running Windows Vista is plenty powerful enough for audio work.

 

[meddle]

I have experience with an USB audio adapter on this price, this is http: //global. focusrite. com/usb-audio-interfaces/saffire-6-usb/images (correct the link please) Focusrite Safiire 6 USB[/URL], it is an excellent choice for the money.
It has 2 stereo line out (including a balanced one), phantom power,2 x mic input/line in/instrument in, phantom power, headphones out, very goog quality on mic preamps, works on win xp/vista/7 including 64 bits. I love this sound card, use it from the beginning of 2012 and works excellent, every day. I am using it even for DJ-ing, wich means I can send two different signals on the two stereo outputs at the same time. I read about what you need from a sound card, and think this is a very good choice, because is doing exactely what you want, and even more, wich on the same price as the Presonus, maybe you will use later those futures, especially as a composer who wants to record things. You can use at the same time an instrument and a microphone, and record them on 2 separate chanels, if you want, or any combinations you want. If you have questions about this USB soundcard I can help you with some answears. Just tell me what you want to know about it and I'll tell you.
M-Audio Fast Track Pro is another one wich does the job, but from the two of them I choose the Focusrite and I now think is worth every dollar, and did a good choice.

 

[AbacuS]

I use a Mackie onyx blackjack and I recommend it. It has a zero latency system which for me is what did it. Now regardless of your computer this baby will record perfectly. 2 inputs with there own levels and headphone monitoring if required. Good peice of kit, check it out

 

[musician1998]

Hello. I am kind of new to recording too but I rapidly got a nice sound over the last 6 months with my interface.
My condenser mic is kind of average (Behringer $180) but it does the job.

I too have a BOSS RC-2 loop station and have never used those recordings on my demos as it is a pain to make it sound good. I would recommend either outputting from your amp or miccing it up then going into a Roland Quad-Capture. It has 2 inputs that can be for a mic or stereo jack. Very compact. Don't use an average software with this though. Spend the extra money and buy something like Cakewalk or if you can afford it, Pro Tools.

Have fun.