Audio interface for beginner

Just starting out and after a bit of hardware advice.  I have a digital piano (Kawai CN33) that I wish to use to start making music.  I'm probably going to get the Sonar X1 Studio and use that as my DAW and software synth.  I'm also about to replace my old PC with a new one (probably i7 quad core).  My question is what other hardware do I need?  All I know from doing some research is that I'll need an audio interface.  Would probably prefer a PCI option but still open to a USB interface if that is the best solution for me.  The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 looks quite good.  Also what type of cables would I need to connect it all together and would I need any other hardware?  Also would the sound come out of my piano speakers or would they come out of the headphones or hi-fi speakers.  I have got a hi-fi amp (Audiolab 8000A - was good in it's day, but a bit old now) and some B & W speakers.  As you can probably tell from the questions I am just starting out.  Budget would be around £100 all in, but may be able to stretch a bit more if you think it will be worth it.  

What do you want to record?
Piano? Vocals? Some other instruments?

If recording vocals or some other acoustic instrument you'll need an interface with at least a pair of preamps or a separate preamp.

You need to answer that kind of questions first to know exactly what you need.

what do you want to record?
how do you want to record?
how many musicians will be recording at the same time?
how you will be monitoring? headphones or speakers?

Once you figure out that, we can help you to make a good choice.

After doing a bit more research I think the PreSonus Firestudio Mobile should suit my purpose.

I'd also take a look at the TC Konneck 6.  Great sound, nice remote vol control and the drivers work pretty good now.  See the SoS review and disregard anything you read about the bad drivers.  Excellent stereo in/out w/ one preamp.  Can't beat it for a sub $200 interface.

Jackster


Just starting out and after a bit of hardware advice.  I have a digital piano (Kawai CN33) that I wish to use to start making music.  I'm probably going to get the Sonar X1 Studio and use that as my DAW and software synth.  I'm also about to replace my old PC with a new one (probably i7 quad core).  My question is what other hardware do I need?  All I know from doing some research is that I'll need an audio interface.  Would probably prefer a PCI option but still open to a USB interface if that is the best solution for me.  The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 looks quite good.  Also what type of cables would I need to connect it all together and would I need any other hardware?  Also would the sound come out of my piano speakers or would they come out of the headphones or hi-fi speakers.  I have got a hi-fi amp (Audiolab 8000A - was good in it's day, but a bit old now) and some B & W speakers.  As you can probably tell from the questions I am just starting out.  Budget would be around £100 all in, but may be able to stretch a bit more if you think it will be worth it.  

I have the M-Audio 2496 and think it's a terrific card for the money.   If all you're doing is using electronically generated sounds, as opposed to doing recordings with microphones, the 2496 should be sufficient for a while.
 
A lot of folks here would advise you to look to replace your B&W speakers with more neutral audio monitor speakers (note: I love B&W speakers, so I'm not putting them down).  If your immediate pursuits are just doing stuff with your digital piano, there's no hurry to replace your speakers, though.  If you get to the point where you're mixing various instruments, the accurate sound of monitors will become more critical.  Since we all know what a solo piano sounds like, the "flattering" sound of the B&Ws won't lead you to bad mixes.

Jackster


I kind of decided that for my needs an external Audio Interface would be best.  The Focusrite Saffire Pro14 (or 6 USB), Presonus Firestudio Mobile, Mackie Onyx Blackjack & M-Audio Fast Track Ultra all seem have good write ups.  Would you recommend any of them?  Or would you think I'd be better off going down the soundcard/mixer route with say the  M-Audio 2496 and a Mackie or Behringer mixer?

While I'm hardly an expert in the area of mixer's, I can't imagine why you'd need something external to your DAW (Sonar) to use in mixing, based on what you've described as your goals.  But others may have a more educated reply on this topic. 
 
On another subject, if you're going to be doing mic-ed input at some point, you're probably well off spending the extra cash up front to get the right kind of interface.  Focusrite seems to have a really good reputation, especially when it comes to the quality of mic pre-amps.  My own plans are to acquire a high-end dedicated computer for music sometime in the next 18 months.  I'm looking at a Focusrite interface, the one with the virtual room simulation, the Pro 24 DSP.  I have no need for the mic pre-amps, though, and the unit is otherwise a little pricy for my needs.  I'm hoping that by the time I need to buy an interface, they (Focusrite) will have put their virtual room tech. in a lower end unit.  But of you need the pre-amps, you might want to take a look.  The list price is $400, but there are rumors of an authorized dealer on e-bay who will sell you one for $300.

I'm in the same boat as you.
As been posted STUDY UP.
But even then, when it comes down to the crunch setting up can be a case of trail and error as it turned out for me.

I think i am about one step ahead of you as where I have all my gear and finally have things set up.

I am currently using an Infrasonic Quartet PCI sound card as my audio out into my amp and though the speakers.
Inputs are a 61 Key USB MIDI controller a Miditech i2Control 61 (M-Audio Radium copy) and an Alesis Multimix4 USB Mixer which I run my vox and guitar through.

After setting everything up properly (a long time later), it all works well.
If you only have a desktop and do not plan on playing live, I would recommend the PCI solution.
Other wise go for the USB one as you can also plug the device into a laptop and use the soft synths as well.
Just make sure you have a laptop which is up to it.

Jackster...

You need to determine how many inputs you need to run live at the same time.  If you work in a project studio and do one or two tracks at a time, many low priced interfaces will work perfectly.

I have Music Creator which means I am limited by the software to 2 tracks max at a given time. Since I also never record a band, just me in the studio recording one track at a time, the rig I have works well for me.

I use a Saffire interface by Focusrite. 2 audio inputs, one midi input, 8 assignable outputs, headphones and some other stuff as well that I don't need or use. It has some pretty decent preamps built in and phantom power for condenser mics..... and enough assignable outputs to do what I need.  I love this interface and if it ever dies, I will be buying another Saffire/Focusrite product.

Look up Beagle and visit his web pages. He has taken the time to categorize a number of interfaces and it makes the comparisons and research a bit easier.

Thanks guys.  Think I'm going to go for the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 Firewire.

The real problem is for beginners. As a beginner, it is difficult to get clear answers about what they really need. You must be a month of research just to find out what you need to investigate. After a beginner to understand the functions they need, then had to investigate the extent, which led to second guess the features.