Recommend me an audio interface?

[mistercallum]

Hey everyone,
I'm currently after a audio interface and I need a little help. These are the specs I need...

USB.
atleast 4 inputs (simultaneous).
inputs must be xlr and have phantom power, must also have atleast 2 that can also be instrument inputs.
Reasonably cheap (I'm a college student on £20/week EMA).

A spot on example of what im looking for is the Alesis IO4, only problem with this is I can't find a single online supplier with stock, and any that are getting stock in arnt for like 2 months.

[cdog]

Komplete Audio 6. One of the best sounding interfaces on the market, and hands down the lowest latency of any USB or firewire unit Ive ever used. As a bonus, you get Komplete Elements. Unit is a steal for $300. THEFT ROBBERY LARCENY

[stella645]

The Komplete 6 doesn't have the 4 xlr inputs (mic preamps) he asked for.

There isn't a huge range of units with 4 preamps at the budget end of the market....Most manufacturers go with 2 pres plus line inputs for the lower end interfaces.

Tascam US-600 is about the cheapest currently available that I can think of at £169.

The Alesis is brand new & hasn't arrived in UK yet. Same with the Akai EIE which is another 4 preamp interface (only 16bit recording though as they seem to have spent all the budget on VU meters!!)

So if 4 pres are essential you're stuck with the Tascam, waiting for the Alesis or paying a lot more to open up other options.

[chipss36]

thing is your intface is not the place to go cheep, it will cost you more in the long run upgrading a cheep interface...
also your moniters, mics...ect..

go cheep on control surface, stands, desk....ect..

just somthing to think about

[mistercallum]

I was looking at all of the ones mentioned, especially the tascam us ones, I was looking at the 800 cos its only like £20 more for 2 more channels. Also looking at the Akai eie pro, any other suggestions would be much appreciated though

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by mistercallum

I was looking at all of the ones mentioned, especially the tascam us ones, I was looking at the 800 cos its only like £20 more for 2 more channels. Also looking at the Akai eie pro, any other suggestions would be much appreciated though

Not wanting to be the one that doesn't want to perform miracles with low end equipment, but there is point where your not getting more than a soundblaster soundcard with a pre-amp..

If your looking to make decent demo's etc.. At least consider behringer...

Or at least go second hand and get something worth buying.

[jnorman]

fast track ultra or lexicon U42s

[Dysanfel]

The Alesis iO4 (24bit 48K), Akai EIE Pro (24bit 96K), or the Presonus AudioBox 44VSL (24bit 96K) would do the trick.

[gravyface]

Originally Posted by ShadowAMD

Not wanting to be the one that doesn't want to perform miracles with low end equipment, but there is point where your not getting more than a soundblaster soundcard with a pre-amp..

If your looking to make decent demo's etc.. At least consider behringer...

Or at least go second hand and get something worth buying.

What are you basing this on? I have a US-2000 and I'm extremely pleased with it. Preamps are clean, plenty of gain, tons of inputs. Stable drivers (tracking 12 channels concurrently without a hiccup at 96/24). Lacks in outputs and the control panel is stark to say the least, but at $299 it's a steal for my needs...
having said that, I need to track live drums, scratch vocals, two guitars, bass, and keyboards and percussion from time-to-time, so unless I wanted to spend almost 3 times as much, my choices were limited.