PLEASE HELP AUDIO INTERFACE ADVICE

There a few stores online like this doing a search for a audio interface.

http://www.sweetwater.com...udio/audio_interfaces/

one manufacturer....
http://www.rme-audio.de/en_index.php

thanks guys
keep the advice coming please all

mmmm nice stuff there but I can't justify that type of quality and cost yet.
after looking through this info I can say I'm looking at something like the M-audio fast track pro or cakewalk UA-25EX - that type of thing. I don't need much in terms of connections but I want quality (low latency and a good sound). It's mainly going to be used for backing tracks and constructing songs - not recording in a band situation. definitely want midi connections, line & instrument level inputs, at least stereo outs, headphone outs, USB (my computer has USB1,2&3 ports windows 7 64 bit). preferably 1/4 jack ins/outs
mainly the outputs will be to my amps
So what would you guys go for based on all this?

Latency is inherent from the computer (how fast it is) and the unit (which according to RME will have 3ms (milliseconds - thousanths of a second) inherent in the electronics of any unit, but since they make firewire and USB2 devices, I stick with that. You end up using ASIO drivers which account for the lag or latency. No way around it, but even with a slower computer like mine, it all comes out at the same time. It may take awhile to read about it, but all the knowledge is there on the internet somewhere or else perhaps in a review about whatever unit you may get. I only use the analog 1 & 2 channels on the babyface, and record multiple tracks in Sonar, one say like instrument at a time. I don't intend to spend a lot either, perhaps I spent more than what I thought, but being like a studio is just different than any live stuff. I do it all electronically (modules) instead of try to record guitar amps or anything like that. Headphones or ear-buds are a must though for recording, and listening I guess speakers (monitor speakers be the best) for mix-down and setting levels on everything. Compression helps also, but I try and not use it too much which is on those cheap studio channels from presonnus that I bought as well as parametric EQ and all of that.
 But then I started out with a computer gaming sound card and finally saw that it really just sucks in the end for recording (and MIDI) for quite a while before getting a more pro type audio interface. That's enough for me, while others have a room insulated and all that stuff, which I will not have even in the future while I guess making a business out of it in a fashion. I am not a business, it's more like a hobby, but even then I suppose some people spend way more on a hobby and some other people do not.
It's like a telescope, some people may spend$6000 on a telescope (there are more expensive ones) and some people spend way more even to the point of building like an observatory, while most people spend around $500 to $1500 on a telescope and some people even less than that.

And they do have way more expensive equipment also. I mean like the RME UFX whatever it is costs $2099, and there are people who do buy that also. The prices can go way up there and expensive equipment can be bought. Way out of my price range!

Roland QuadCapture-

Lance

spacealf


It's all there though and I was just mentioning some of what you may need, but what you buy is up to you. It takes awhile to go through everything and read about it and all that on just the audio interfaces, so in the end I can recommend nothing to you and you will have to take the steps to see what you want. It is in all price ranges though, and that is for sure.

And still they have more at online stores like that for equipment, or even at a local store where you may order equipment or buy equipment.

 
You have mentioned some really good stuff there don't get me wrong but it's too much for what I need. the missus would go off her rocker.

Beagle

box bundy

Lanceindastudio


Roland QuadCapture-

Lance

Roland QuadCapture

 
this is the sort of thing I'm after. I want to find out which are the better ones similar to the features this has. Can people give me comparison ratings of other brands similar to this eg M-audio fast track pro

did you look at my website?  I have a comparison chart there.  the octacapture is not on it, but you can look up the octacapture and compare it to several other units.

yep had a look and it helps alot. just seeking as many opinions as I can

If you're looking to create a studio style environment don't undervalue acoustics. Auralex foam is good stuff, and there are other alternatives that are equally as good. Rock wool, a box bigger than me sits right behind me waiting to be be placed in bass traps. Even in its box it makes the room sound better. Owens Corning 703 rigid fiberglass is even better - here it runs $8.97 US per 24" x 48" panel. You can buy all the expensive gear in the world but if it sounds like crap because of room acoustics it's worthless, and if your mixes aren't portable...well...same thing. I'm currently wishing I had placed more importance on it myself, now I'm shelling out the bucks.