Cheap, no frills Interface

I know this is the wrong forum and will eventually get moved, but I'll get more hits here initially.

As the title suggests, I'm looking for a cheap, no frills USB interface for use on my 2nd machine.

This won't be used for critical vocal/acoustic recordings, but I do need Midi IO and a basic preamp or 2.

I was looking at the Alesis iO2 Express which seems to fit the bill - does anyone have any experience of this unit, or have anything similar to suggest?

Thanks,

Jonesey

Mackie Onyx Blackjack 2x2.

It's only usb 1.0.... however, it's built like a tank, easy setup and the pre amps sound amazing. Amazing price for a great piece of kit.

Neither it does, I totally glossed over that you noted that as a requirement, apologies. Roland Quad Capture is probably your best bet.

Thanks Scott - seems like a good little unit and ticks all the boxes,

I've taken the Alesis off the list as it's fixed at recording @ 48KHz, ideally I'd like 44.1KHz which the Fast Track does provide.

Another unit for consideration is the PreSonus AudioBox - anyone know anything about this one?

Bristol_Jonesey


Another unit for consideration is the PreSonus AudioBox - anyone know anything about this one?

I got one of those for my daughters setup.  It does what it says on the tin.

Jonesey,
All the interfaces mentioned would be great for your purpose, but since you originally asked specifically about the Alesis io2 Express, and since I used one for almost a year, I wanted to chime in. I'm not sure where you saw that the io2 is fixed at 48KHz; it won't go any higher, but you can record at 44.1 OR 48. It is, however, locked in at 24 bit (but, hey - that's why we dither if we are mixing down for CD, right?) No, it's not built as ruggedly as the Mackie; in fact, it is light enough that heavy XLR cables might flip it off the desktop. That's why I glued its small rubber feet to a heavy piece of board which I had cut just a little smaller than the interface's footprint. That worked fine.

As for its performance, it did everything I expected at that price point, and the monitor mix knob was a nice addition. Personally, I don't think there is anything else out there at that price that would serve you any better. I only upgraded to a Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 because I wanted the ability to record at higher sample rates and I needed the flexibility the MixControl software gives for setting up various mixes that can be recalled quickly.

Hope all the above is helpful!

Focusrite Saffire_6_usb has midi I/O and pres. 200 bucks, probably cheaper if you ask...

http://www.focusrite.com/...erfaces/saffire_6_usb/

I have no idea about the latency or drivers though.

J

The guys at ADK are pretty big on the Presonus 22 vsl. They said it had much better converters than the older audio box and had very low latency. $199 normal price but I've seen it for $179 before.

garrigus


It sounds like you may want something like the M-Audio Fast Track Pro...
http://digifreq.com/?FastTrackPro

+1 on the M-Audio Fast Track Pro. I use the FT Ultra and have been delighted with it, but it probably has more I/O than you need for your purposes.

Good choice Bristol_Jonesey. I have used this interface for a few months now, and it has a good quality for the price. I really like the Focusrite pre-amps. It also has balanced inputs/outputs - something a lot of the interfaces in this price range are missing.

I was gonna say, take a look at the Avid MBox USB: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Avid/99006513300/?utm_source=nextag&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_campaign=productads

Craig Anderton did a review primarily based on its big brother the the MBox Pro. I plan to get the MBox Pro, but the way my money is looking, that wont be til September. Tested performance specs on both look real good, though it's a little pricy at $450 U.S. bucks, and it's a 4 input/4 output unit.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2762705-Avid-Mbox-Pro-Computer-Interface-Now-with-Conclusions&p=43150555&viewfull=1#post43150555 

I see you've decided to go with the Presonus unit. Whatever works for you, and you're no novice, so goodluck. :)