New member, seeking entry recording interface

[elpelotero]

Hello all,

I'm new here even though I've read a few threads before. I'm looking to get an entry level audio recording interface so I can do some basic recordings at home. I will get an sm57 for guitar and my bass will go from my amp's DI. I have Garageband on my mac, but am comfortable with ProTools and really like it.

What things will I need specifically? Budget is about $300, used or new.
As far as I understand, something like the digidesign mbox2 will work for my needs. Furthermore, how important is it to have a high sampling rate, such as 96 or 192khz? The mbox only gets to 48.

thanks!

[Jules]

To get going on a basic level skip all the 96k and 192k stuff.. It would be overkill for your situation

[SIMS Audio]

Hi,

If ProTools wasn't a must have, let me suggest my company's QUARTET PCI interface. You can record up to 192kHz and paired with Reaper I think it provides much more flexibility than ProTools LE (I use both). Check it out at:

[SIMS] INFRASONIC QUARTET Sound Card Midi Interface NEW - (eBay item 270192780878 end time Dec-10-07 00:55:27 PST)

or:

Welcome to SIMS Corp.

If you or anyone else on the board has any questions about the QUARTET or any other of our products, please feel free to ask. Also, please stop by our booth at Winter NAMM to say hi and test drive some of our new stuff!

[backhair]

unless you have a Mac Pro, you don't have PCI slots for something like the SIMS card (doesn't look like it has mac drivers either), so you will need a Firewire or USB interface. I'd suggest a Firewire one as there are several in that price range which have features allowing you to expand your setup later without replacing the interface.

Alesis io|14 ($299) has 4 mic preamps, ADAT input
Edirol FA-66 ($279) has 2 mic pres, rca phono jacks
TC Konnekt 8 ($299) has 2 mic pres


all have MIDI in/out, S/PDIF, and guitar/bass inputs. i don't think the Edirol even needs drivers on OS X - it's plug-and-play. all go up to 192k, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone who didn't say that 96k (probably even 48k) is plenty even for professional recording as long as you're at 24bits.

there are a whole slew of usb interfaces in the $150-$200 range, but for the most part, they are just 2in / 2out.

if you're going to go with protools, the mbox is about your only option in that range.

[Shadow_7]

It's my understanding that higher sampling rates make the most difference when mixing. If you're not mixing and just recording live performances per say, then that doesn't matter all that much. CDs are only 16 bit and 44.1kHz.

[elpelotero]

Ok...I read some stuff about 48, 96, 192. I would probably be happy with 96 since I've used it for some projects. I'm not sure what 48 would sound like because I've never recorded with it, but if a cd is at 44, then wow!

2 questions:
1)Without an uber long explanation, can someone give me a quick rundown of 24 bit and 16 bit?
2) What's a good website with lots of reading material that isn't too high tech and will explain a lot of these basics for me so I don't have to keep coming here for questions?

Thanks!

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by elpelotero86@aol

Ok...I read some stuff about 48, 96, 192. I would probably be happy with 96 since I've used it for some projects. I'm not sure what 48 would sound like because I've never recorded with it, but if a cd is at 44, then wow!

2 questions:
1)Without an uber long explanation, can someone give me a quick rundown of 24 bit and 16 bit?
2) What's a good website with lots of reading material that isn't too high tech and will explain a lot of these basics for me so I don't have to keep coming here for questions?

Thanks!

1) use 24 bit for tracking. Assuming you're bouncing to disk, have the last plugin on your master fader a dither plugin, set to 16bit, and bounce the mix to a 16bit file (assuming you're not sending it off to be mastered, or have further processing by someone else. if that's the case leave at 24b no dither). Reason being - recording and mixing at 24bit means your audio is more detailed - CDs are only 2 tracks, but 24 tracks being processed and summed will make a difference.

2) I'd try a book rather than websites. There's a lot of well meaning but wrong info on lots of sites.

Suggestions:
Amazon.com: Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)): Books: Jeff Strong

Amazon.com: The Musician's Home Recording Handbook: Practical Techniques for Recording Great Music at Home: Books: Greenwald

hope that helps.

[elpelotero]

thanks! sure does

[Old Goat]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

1) use 24 bit for tracking. Assuming you're bouncing to disk, have the last plugin on your master fader a dither plugin, set to 16bit, and bounce the mix to a 16bit file (assuming you're not sending it off to be mastered, or have further processing by someone else. if that's the case leave at 24b no dither). Reason being - recording and mixing at 24bit means your audio is more detailed - CDs are only 2 tracks, but 24 tracks being processed and summed will make a difference.

2) I'd try a book rather than websites. There's a lot of well meaning but wrong info on lots of sites.

Suggestions:
Amazon.com: Home Recording For Musicians For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)): Books: Jeff Strong

Amazon.com: The Musician's Home Recording Handbook: Practical Techniques for Recording Great Music at Home: Books: Greenwald

hope that helps.

+1 for all that

Also, Guerrilla Home Recording, by Karl Coryat. Amazon, also. As for interfaces, I liked my M-Audio MobilePre, but I love my E-MU 0404 USB, and it will do 24/96 if you relly think you need to. 24/44.1 is working just fine for me.

[vcovco]

If you want super entry-level and just want to play with getting your guitar, bass, and microphone into garageband, you might want to try (getting ready for things to be thrown at me) a line 6 toneport ux1 for $130.

I just turned a friend onto it who just wanted to be able to throw some stuff into garageband and the gearbox software with amp modeling is a solid step up from the built in garageband effects--it is also lot of fun to play with. He is quite happy with that and running his bass and guitar through the gearbox modeling. The elitists around here will poo poo the line6 stuff, but if you are just starting out, there is no reason you have to go for $$ stuff.

Careful though as it is a USB interface so you won't be able to do tons of tracks without crackles and pops...

I sound like a broken record on this one, but if you want a decent, solid interface, I would recommend the Echo audiofire 4 firewire interface at $299. It has 2 preamp / combo ins and 2 analog ins. Very quiet, very stable, and VERY pro sounding.

Good luck!

[elpelotero]

I am looking at entry level stuff, but I want to capture the best sound I can out of my amps and bass rig (which is where I have spent the real money, hence leaving me so broke I can't afford a recording rig). So, line6 modeling is not for me.

I will look at the other pieces though.

Is there any place I can go to get reviews of units? harmony central hardly has any reviews for recording gear.

[gio.vanni]

I second the Echo Interfaces. Great sounding gear for the money. Converters sound good and drivers are solid.

[Alndln]

Originally Posted by elpelotero

Is there any place I can go to get reviews of units? harmony central hardly has any reviews for recording gear.

Your probanly not looking in the right section, go here

• Pro Reviews - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

• For your needs and price, I'd consider the PreSonus FireBox($299.00) or Inspire($199.00) which has solid drivers that work well on a variety of systems(important)which I can vouch for since I build DAW's occasionally for friends and others. The Echo line is fairly solid too in that range.