cheap method of recording

[jetam]

If you have a computer, the audio interface is going to be the cheappest option.

[Analok]

May I suggest a Mackie Blackjack? Two balanced mic/line inputs with switchable phantom power, 60dB of gain per, monitor and headphone outputs, usb powered, portable & built industrial tough! About $120 street it's hard to top.

[BuyEmpireGoods]

Originally Posted by Analok

May I suggest a Mackie Blackjack? Two balanced mic/line inputs with switchable phantom power, 60dB of gain per, monitor and headphone outputs, usb powered, portable & built industrial tough! About $120 street it's hard to top.

I did actually have one of those around 1 year ago (you can see how slowly this is all coming together for me)
However because I am using windows I had driver issues, well either driver issues or I was using it wrong haha! But it didn't help my latency at all.

I will definitely look into getting an audio interface though, popping to a few second hand shops so I will see what they stock tomorrow. (people always pawn musical equipment haha)

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by BuyEmpireGoods

What I am wondering is if it would be better to buy a digital audio interface (something like the Akai EIE pro)
Or just get a mixer and plug that straight into the PC (latency would be an issue, i assume).

The EIE IS a 4 channel mixer that also includes a USB interface.

[eddie.machete]

Ive contemplated the eie pro before too. The idea being money is tight and I could buy another when I could and daisychain them together for 8 ins. I just don't know about quality of pres. They have a USB hub too which is cool, 4 in I think. They are quiet sexy. With the hub you can obviously run anything USB based through the eie into your pc. External drives, controllers etc. I have 8 USB ins on my pc but I like the front tidy so the 4 at the front are not being used, a consideration. They aren't that popular so are cheap new, but maybe they aren't popular because of the pres. I need to research more as it still might be an option until the bigger main step of good 16 ch desk and some outboard rack gear. Quality isn't a concern for you so point is moot. If I had no concerns over quality I'd go for the 16bit non pro eie and probably be happy.

sent from the future

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by eddie.machete

Ive contemplated the eie pro before too.

I have one, the problem being that I bought it to use as an interview piece, I've only put cheap lavs through it so I don't want to endorse it's pres for music. However, it did show up on PARs potential Tech Awards list, so someone out there must like it.

[gravyface]

Originally Posted by BuyEmpireGoods

Or just get a mixer and plug that straight into the PC (latency would be an issue, i assume)

The canonical answer you're seeking is no, do not get a mixer and plug that directly into the PC. Get an interface, with or without a built-in mixer.

[zoahk]

I work with a mackie blackjack too, I had the same driver problems, so I just uninstalled the drivers and used windows default drivers, and use ASIO4ALL, there was slight latency issues too otherwise it's not caused me any problems and it's a solid (i'd say indestructible) little soundcard you can take out with you anywhere and record with.

[BuyEmpireGoods]

Originally Posted by Bill@WelcomeHome

The EIE IS a 4 channel mixer that also includes a USB interface.

yeah, so it works in a similar way to the mackie blackjack right? reducing latency etc?

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by BuyEmpireGoods

yeah, so it works in a similar way to the mackie blackjack right? reducing latency etc?

I don't know anything about the Mackie, and what latency are you trying to reduce? Some you can affect, some you cannot.

[BuyEmpireGoods]

Originally Posted by Bill@WelcomeHome

I don't know anything about the Mackie, and what latency are you trying to reduce? Some you can affect, some you cannot.

The latency I have makes my midi keyboard almost unplayable. I have never tried recording audio because I do not own a microphone yet.

[donsolo]

What software are you using for midi?

You can't daisy chain USB interfaces. You shouldnt use a hub with an interface btw...

Don't buy from pawn shops. The stuff is junk and way overpriced. Stick to craigslist...

[BuyEmpireGoods]

Originally Posted by donsolo

What software are you using for midi?

You can't daisy chain USB interfaces. You shouldnt use a hub with an interface btw...

Don't buy from pawn shops. The stuff is junk and way overpriced. Stick to craigslist...

I am using cubase 5 and live 8.

sorry I am a complete newb, but what do you mean by daisychaining? and a hub with an interface?
slightly confused sorry

[chk23]

Originally Posted by BuyEmpireGoods

I am using cubase 5 and live 8.

sorry I am a complete newb, but what do you mean by daisychaining? and a hub with an interface?
slightly confused sorry

He means: plug your interface directly into your computer, no other device (like an USB hub) or extension between your interface and your computer.

If you have latency issues just with your keyboard playing into cubase then there's something wrong with your settings or your setup, there's no interface that will magically reduce your latency. If you have a midi-to-USB adapter to connect your keyboard, then plug it directly into your computer, not into any other device connected to your computer!

[timmetje]

Originally Posted by BuyEmpireGoods

I am using cubase 5 and live 8.

sorry I am a complete newb, but what do you mean by daisychaining? and a hub with an interface?
slightly confused sorry

Daisy-chaining is linking multiple units together by connecting the (usb-)output of one unit to the (usb-)input of the other unit. That way, you can use multiple units on one usb-port.

But, as stated before: usb does not support daisy-chaining.

A hub is a little device that splits up one usb-port to multiple ports. Again, this will not work with an audio-interface, since the power coming from the hub is too weak to power the interface.

[Rikharthu]

Originally Posted by BuyEmpireGoods

for the sheer fun and excitement of recording and messing around with sounds.

Stand-alone four or eight track. Some kind of Portastudio. If you want to have fun and be creative, software fails to deliver. There are many a tale of people losing their creative energy after 'upgrading' to a DAW, and I've never heard one otherwise. I downgraded from a moderately expensive computer-based setup a few years ago (for songwriting/experimenting) to a little four-track. I feel free.

[chk23]

Originally Posted by Rikharthu

Stand-alone four or eight track. Some kind of Portastudio. If you want to have fun and be creative, software fails to deliver. There are many a tale of people losing their creative energy after 'upgrading' to a DAW, and I've never heard one otherwise. I downgraded from a moderately expensive computer-based setup a few years ago (for songwriting/experimenting) to a little four-track. I feel free.

That may be a very individual thing. I never lost creative energy after switching to DAW. On the contrary. Knowing that it just takes a click to re-record a certain track onto a HDD with almost unlimited capacity is what makes me feel free. You can just switch on and record right away anything that comes into your mind like with a portastudio. You have to keep a certain discipline not to start playing around with fancy plugins "just to see how it will sound like" though.

[BuyEmpireGoods]

Originally Posted by timmetje

Daisy-chaining is linking multiple units together by connecting the (usb-)output of one unit to the (usb-)input of the other unit. That way, you can use multiple units on one usb-port.

But, as stated before: usb does not support daisy-chaining.

A hub is a little device that splits up one usb-port to multiple ports. Again, this will not work with an audio-interface, since the power coming from the hub is too weak to power the interface.

Ah ok, I see, makes sense, thanks.

I have just purchased a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 after reading some postive reviews both on here and google. £99 and new as well, doesn't seem like a bad deal (a recently purchased issue of FutureMusic has it on there list of best Audio Interfaces, although I am always sceptical of magazines of this nature, as they seem can seem like one big advert)

[2manyrocks]

I have used the 2i2 for 8-9 months now with no problems.

You might want to check your system latency and if there's an issue, then sometimes it's necessary to turn off some system hardware. I've got a wifi adaptor on a laptop that I have to turn off to get my latency to a reasonable level.

http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml

[eddie.machete]

As far as I can gather you can daisychain USB using an aggregate driver on board your Mac. Not that ive tried. I think the op has probably made the best decision, focusrite. Ive got my eyes on a pro40 for about 230 quid. UK eBay sellers are asking around 400 for it, but its cheaper to ship from America. 230 + about 40 shipping. Result! ...if a power converter into UK plug is cheap enough? Not sure yet.

sent from the future

[chk23]

Originally Posted by eddie.machete

As far as I can gather you can daisychain USB using an aggregate driver on board your Mac. Not that ive tried. I think the op has probably made the best decision, focusrite. Ive got my eyes on a pro40 for about 230 quid. UK eBay sellers are asking around 400 for it, but its cheaper to ship from America. 230 + about 40 shipping. Result! ...if a power converter into UK plug is cheap enough? Not sure yet.

sent from the future

Plus customs and import taxes (on paid price AND shipping). Don't know how much it will be in britain, in germany/euro-countries you can recon with about 25% - still a bargain.