Firewire via expresscard vs USB

[drewwebsteraudio]

If you're just going basic 2-channel recording get the PreSonus Audiobox 22VSL.

Firewire is better for larger sessions where latency is an issue. When your signal travels interface > computer > recording software > computer > interface > headphones/speakers there is some delay/latency that occurs. On most home systems that latency is enough to make you not want to hear yourself in your headphones because it will sound like an echo. If you try to decrease the latency caused by your recording software you can get pops and clicks in your recording.

PreSonus's 22VSL allows you to bypass your recording software and just go straight back out to your headphones or speakers, thus giving you a minimal amount of delay that you probably won't notice, and if you do it won't be enough to distract you from recording. Many products have this option, but the 22VSL also allows you to add compression, EQ, and reverb without increasing latency.

You may also want to consider picking up a large diaphragm condenser microphone or two. SM58's are amazing for live use, but they won't give you the clarity you'll want for a good recording.

Great tips from Drew.

If I had to recommend a cheap card, I'd say an Echo Audiofire. It has great converters for the price, although you'd need the firewire card, and possibly a preamp depending on the model.

If you are just starting in the world of audio and know that you'll be on that path long enough it's better to spend more now, than to spend even more later... with that I mean that a cheap interface will need to be replaced really soon, and you will end up buying another interface.

[TimOBrienFlorida]

Just make SURE any expresscard you get has TexasInstruments chips.

For ANY audio/video work you ONLY want TI firewire chips.

[fastlanestoner]

firewire is great if you need a lot of I/O but you might be able to get by with a good usb interface. Focusrites are way better than Presonus, and I can highly recommend them. Absolutely go with the TI fw chip and nothing else or you risk no functionality