Advice on USB audio interface for Windows.

[keith_h]

I am looking at doing some recording with my laptop. I do not need studio quality but am looking for something better than the microphone input on the built in sound card. I would like the ability to multitrack up to 8 tracks but anything from 2X2 up would be fine (cost is a factor). I am currently using Audacity for my software and have found it adequate for my needs (it's free).  
 
Any suggestions or reviews about USB audio interfaces?  
 
Keith

[rustyg61]

The September issue of Bass Player magazine has an Intro To Interfaces aticle you might find useful. I started with the M-Audio Fast Track interface which comes with Pro Tools SE. SE is a intro version of Pro Tools but still has all the basic recording tools you will ever need. It just doesn't come with all the loops & virtual instruments that a full version comes with. You can check it out here - http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrack.html
 
I currently am using a Presonus Audiobox USB & a full version of Pro Tools 9. I like the Presonus interface better because of the layout of the controls, but the M-Audio interface sounded great too. I was running Windows XP with the M-Audio interface & it quit working after doing a Windows update, so I bought the Presonus which came with their Studio 1 software. After using Pro Tools SE, I was spoiled & didn't like Studio 1 as well, so I bought the full Pro Tools 9. I also upgraded to Windows 7 & haven't had any trouble with the interface. Here's the one I have - http://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-USB. I use the Audiobox for the soundcard on my PC & I love having the volume & headphone controls right at my fingers. I found that my Alembic signal was almost too hot for the 1/4 inputs on the interface, so I bought a direct box to allow me to use the XLR imput & not have to turn the input level down so far to keep it from clipping. Now I can run the level around 11:00 & have more adjustablility. Here's my current setup
 

[jimbobv]

Keith, Very simple setup - I use Audacity as well, and for recording my band's practices I plug a Zoom H4 configured as a USB mic input, into an open USB port.  I get a reasonable quality stereo recording with little effort.

[pauldo]

+1 on the ZoomH4 for an interface. In addition it is a great portable tool to use for recording everything. I use the Zoom alot to record rehearsals or shows and then listen back to it and humble myself! :-p
 
Rusty - that is a really nice setup.

[rustyg61]

Thanks Pauldo!

[keith_h]

I'll check out the September Bass Player.  I've used an H2 successfully to record rehearsals and gigs. The Zoom recorders aren't what I am really looking for. At the moment I'm leaning towards the M-box Fast Track Ultra 8 and the PreSonus AudioBox 1818 VSL. The Edirol UA-1000 looks good too but it is not available anymore and I don't know if I can find a used one.  
 
Thanks for the comments.  
 
Keith

[rustyg61]

Good luck in your search Keith!

[gtrguy]

I use an M-Audio 610 that I bought used and it works fine. I also have a Presonus Firepod I bought used with lots of inputs and it sounds good. Both are firewire though. I had a cheap Omega with USB it it also sounded quite good.
 
Digital to Audio converters are quite good these days, which makes me think that buying something based on the rest of its features that you might like is a good idea (including software bundles). Some units let you side chain out into other outboard gear before it hits the converters, and I think that is very helpful, esp. if you need a compressor.
 
I use a F-2B for a tube pre on my bass and it sounds great and I get a great bass tone that way, even better than my F-1X.  
 
I am surprised Alembic does not market them more that way, as they work fine. It also sounds great with acoustic-electric guitar.
 
Garage band is great for Mac, I use Sonar 8.5 on a PC, but there was a steep learning curve when I first got it.