Good audio interfaces

[Yung NyceWitIt]

Recommend me good audio interfaces under $200

[e-are]

No that I know of. Sorry. Decent ones for about $500. Maybe you can find a used emu card. That would be about $200.

[stuartb]

What do you need?

How many mic pre's?
Line in?
Outputs?
Do you want something you can expand on in future. Ie digital in/out? Or just something to get you started so you can ditch it when you outgrow it?


£200 won't get you much but you'll get something useable if your expectations aren't too high!

[jrides]

A buddy of mine got a Mbox 1 with PT7 for $40 on CL. Good? Meh. People used to use it all the time though. Could get you by until you save $340 more dollars.

Or look into a maudio fw1884.
Preamp and soundcard combo could get you by for a while.

[Yung NyceWitIt]

I need it for my Rokit5s and I do have a mic but it isn't seeing much action right now...

What about the M-Audio MobilePre mk II? It's got great reviews

[Reggmail]

Originally Posted by Yung NyceWitIt

Recommend me good audio interfaces under $200

Do you think you can squeeeeeez out a little more?....Lol.


Audio interfaces is one of the most important devices in your setup.
Spend more, the average is usually $399 - $600 range. for a decent one http://www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_...Interfaces/all
Motu MK-3, Presonus fire studio, Focusrite Saffire 40,
then the price goes up with RME, Apogee stuff.
those are better interfaces that won't bog down your computer
and monitoring through the device usually cuts down latency as well.
If you have a lag computer now, these interfaces could grow with your setup.
That's just my opinion.
& blessings.

[3rd Degree]

If you need a lot of I/O, don't need a usable pre (or one with phantom power for that matter), and don't mind RCA's for the cabling, the M-Audio Delta 1010lt offers a lot for the money.

It is legacy hardware and is a PCI card so you may not have a PCI slot on a desktop, you don't have one on a laptop.

[David Ray]

Last time I checked the mackie blackjack was VERY inexpensive! ($149?). I would def check it out. I like my onyx satellite quite a lot and would put it up $ for $ against anything I've heard this side of $500 (duet).

[JoRillo]

If I only had $200 to spend on a interface - I would buy an icycle for $30 and get to practice then when the time comes that I am at least fairly decent at recording and mixing, I would get $500+ and buy a good interface. I feel like right around $500 is where it goes from consumer to prosumer. I have a icycle from back in the early days of my recording and it is definitely a good amount of bang for your buck (still a cheapy not doubt - but usable non the less).

[RonGherkins]

used ak1 for 120-150 all day unless you use pro tools (why I had to get a new home interface 2+ years ago :P). solid build and sounds exactly like the lower end m-audio/focusrite stuff I've used too. It's a definite step down from some things but supports up to 192k, has a mic pre, phantom power, line ins and will be stupid cheap now that it's discontinued.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar0...diokontrol.htm

also probably better than the blackjack, but im sure the blackjack is similar. Either of those are a cheap good bet that won't absolutely fail you until you get something much more substantial. You can get amazing used deals on interfaces too and they're usually in perfect condition as they (usually) just sit on a desk or in a rack.

[pasarireng]

Originally Posted by Yung NyceWitIt

Recommend me good audio interfaces under $200

I just sold my (used) Mbox Mini 2 for abaout $200. I think it's good for that price :D

The works I made with it paid me many times it's real cost

[mequaz]

I disagree with a great many of the others here. First lets start with what you need? How many inputs? How outputs? Do you need digital ins like spdif? From what it sounds like you need one input that has 48v for phantom power and outs for your mointors and headphones. For what you need spending more than 200 is a waste of time.

Mackie Blackjack-$150
M-Audio MobilePre mk II (i have one myself, so i can tell you it will work fine)-$150
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2-$150
Steinberg CI1-$100
PreSonus AudioBox USB-$150
Download Reaper REAPER | Download
and your on your way.


Invest your money in acoustic treatment, monitors, cables, and good power conditioning.
The converters in interfaces dont matter much if those things are not in order first. ITs as tho your trying to pick the right brand of ketchup but your hot dogs are not cooked and you dont have any bread to put it on. Cold hot dogs on moldy bread taste bad no matter how good the ketcup is. Those interfaces will do just fine, until you get the other things in place. (you wouldnt much diff between interfaces with out good acoustic treatment, and better monitors anyway)

"bogging down your pc" has nothing to do with how much an interface cost. Tweak your system. Close all other apps while recording. Buy the best pc you can get. Add RAM if need be. But trust, spending an extra 300-400 on an interface is not gonna get you to that sound.

Focus more on techniquie

[mrbrown510]

this is y some people dont ask about recording on a low budget because people are quick to put them down n say anything under 500 bucks is garbage and dats serious red-bull! one thing 2 note i bout the mackie ony blackjack its awsome but it only works flawless on mac and yea i no it says its windows compatible but only as a sound device for windows as soon as u try to record in ur daw its just pos,clicks,and hizz.u ken look it up thousands of people couldnt make it work because the drivers odnt work.luckily i found a used m-audio delta 66 with omnistudio breakout box dat have the dmp2 preamps for $120 and its very nice.dont be scared to look for used audio interfaces just make sure they have solid drivers for the type of computer that u have

[Methlab]

The Focusrite Scarlett sounds awesome to be honest. A lot of people blow cash on gear for no reason. If you are not in a full time studio and are just looking for 2 inputs, the Scarlett is perfect.

I have had pro engineers over to my place for bass tracking and they used my "cheap gear". lol.

[Love Da Beats]

Anything worthwille is going to cost you. At least 500 bux or more. I am not sure I know of something for such a low price point. I suggest checking ebay or your local classifeds for a good used one.

Regards.

[PRPS]

M audio fast track is around that $200 price tag

[beat you down]

if you're on windows stay away from firwire.

[mequaz]

get u the focusrite 2i2, buy reaper and get to recording. if u cant make that work then its u not the tools. if u cant get a good vocal on one of the budget interfaces u just cant do it

[bigyo]

Stay away from the PreSonus Firebox... I have one..and its crappy

[TYPHY]

I have Komplete Audio 6 from NI.

I got it for $200 brand new on eBay (not sure if that deal is still around).

It has main outs to power my Yamahas HS80s and 4 Inputs.

Sounds good to me, I have no problems with it whatsoever.

The built-in preamp is no Great River but what do you expect for $200, it works tho.

[TYPHY]

I just did a check on Komplete Audio 6... they don't even have them at all on eBay anymore.

They're $300 brand new on audio gear websites. I guess I got lucky and ran into a nice deal.

[tal213]

i used a Audiophile 24/96($99) and a small mixer for many years and got great sound. its wrong to tell the OP he needs to spend $500, its just not true.

[302efi]

Originally Posted by beat you down

if you're on windows stay away from firwire.

Bogus reply

I've used a M-Audio 410, Mbox 2 Pro, 002 R and 002 Console on a Widows PC....No problems at all

I'll bite..

Stay away from USB (On iPad)
Stay away from PCI (On Laptop)
Stay away from PCX (On Commdore 64)

OP just don't even record

[coolout]

The OP never said if he already had mic pres, did he?

I just copped a NI Traktor Audio 6 (not the Komplete) for $211 on musicians friend. (w/ 15% off coupon).

I've been moving away from my old desktop for production, plus needed something for live use.

No mic pres, digital in/out, or midi on this interface, but you do get 6 analog in/outs, headphone jack, and rock-solid low latency drivers. (from what I've read)

I thought about getting a Focusrite box, but I really don't need preamps or bells and whistles. Plus, my theory is that a box designed for constant live use of timecode vinyl is going to be most stable. After scouring the internet I could only find one thread about the audio 6 having an issue and it was basically a bad USB cable. Focusrite interface pages and pages of different issues.

[youngstar]

i recommend focusrite's saffire 6 its cheap, easy to setup and it just works.

on another note, can someone with an budget interface and a $500+ interface post audio samples of both to compare the difference? im still unsure how the interface effects sound quality.

[mequaz]

Originally Posted by youngstar

i recommend focusrite's saffire 6 its cheap, easy to setup and it just works.

on another note, can someone with an budget interface and a $500+ interface post audio samples of both to compare the difference? im still unsure how the interface effects sound quality.

Personal experiecne. Unless your buying an external converter, mosty usb interfaces under $1000 in this day and age is def gonna do. Ive worked in a major studio, and i have my own smaller studio. I use a mackie blackjack on windows. At the big studio they use a digi 003 into Universal Audio 2192 (an external converter). And the diffierence is def there but that converter was like $2000 brand new.I say all that to say pick an interface that has is
1. either mac or pc depending on your prefrence.
2. Has the ins and outs you need
3. Preamps (if you need them)

There have been top 40 hits recorded on plain ol mxl mic>mbox

(but to answer the question more directly, a friend of mine has the rme babyface. Man that thing is def worth the money. The preamp alone is unlike any other preamps on interfaces. I mean its pricey. But its awesome. If i had 700 just laying around i might get it. But i cant justify that cost cause im doing just fine wit my little blackjack. )

[youngstar]

Originally Posted by mequaz

Personal experiecne. Unless your buying an external converter, mosty usb interfaces under $1000 in this day and age is def gonna do. Ive worked in a major studio, and i have my own smaller studio. I use a mackie blackjack on windows. At the big studio they use a digi 003 into Universal Audio 2192 (an external converter). And the diffierence is def there but that converter was like $2000 brand new.I say all that to say pick an interface that has is
1. either mac or pc depending on your prefrence.
2. Has the ins and outs you need
3. Preamps (if you need them)

There have been top 40 hits recorded on plain ol mxl mic>mbox

(but to answer the question more directly, a friend of mine has the rme babyface. Man that thing is def worth the money. The preamp alone is unlike any other preamps on interfaces. I mean its pricey. But its awesome. If i had 700 just laying around i might get it. But i cant justify that cost cause im doing just fine wit my little blackjack. )

okay thanks man ill save my money then. i dont need anything but a line in for my mic and preamp.

[OmegaP]

I got a used profire 610 from the classified section right here on gearslutz for 195 shipped. Works great too,look around and you can get something decent.

[beat you down]

Originally Posted by 302efi

Bogus reply

I've used a M-Audio 410, Mbox 2 Pro, 002 R and 002 Console on a Widows PC....No problems at all

I'll bite..

Stay away from USB (On iPad)
Stay away from PCI (On Laptop)
Stay away from PCX (On Commdore 64)

OP just don't even record

well you're one lucky dude then.

google it, there's a lot of people having trouble with firewire interfaces on windows.