Genghis
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Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
So I'm setting up an i7 920 DAW for a friend who is new to DAW recording and I'm looking for options on a relatively inexpensive 2x2 audio interface to get him started. USB would probably be the best choice in his case. He will mostly be recording guitars, bass, and some vocals, not a lot of soft synth stuff (although I may show him the joys of EZ Drummer).
I'm building it on Windows 10, so we need something that will support that. What options would you guys recommend? I think he'd like to keep it under $200 or so and get the best we can find in that range.
Thanks!
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Slugbaby
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/07/29 08:48:40
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I really like my Focusrite Scarlet 2i2. Small, simple, efficient, reliable. It has 2 mic/line inputs, USB output, 2 1/4" outputs for monitoring, and a headphone out.
The 2i4 is the same, but with MIDI input/output.
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Cactus Music
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/07/29 10:22:13
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For $249 you get the Scarlett 6i6 which has 3x the features of the 2i2. Most important ( to me) is it has it's own power supply and is not buss powered. Even for a simple set up it's nice to have the 4 inputs so your not swapping cables all the time. And if your ever recording 2 people having 2 headphone busses is bonus too. I always recomend making a list of all the possible features you need now and in the future. Too many people buy an interface just to find it was missing something they now find they needed.. like a seperate volume control for mains and headphones ( Some Roland iinterfaces) MOST important is stable audio drivers and Focusrite has that.. Also check out Tascam. Here's a little blurb with a list of features to think about: http://www.cactusmusic.ca...0Interface%20blurb.rtf
post edited by Cactus Music - 2016/07/29 10:44:19
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TheMaartian
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/07/29 11:13:13
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Good advice above. I'll provide a little more on the new Tascam US-XnX series (2x2, 4x4, 16x08, 20x20). I was looking at the 4x4 to replace a PreSonus i/f (crappy driver; zero support). I happened to get really lucky and snagged a 16x08 for $200 on an MF SDotD. I don't use all that extra I/O very often, but it's nice to have. My typical setup is vocal mic on Mic In 1, guitar on Line/Inst In 9, bass on Line/Inst In 10, and an M/S mic pair that I use occasionally on Mic Ins 3 and 4. I could make that work on the 4x4 by using the same mic input for the vocal and M mics, but then it'd be one or the other. Win10 drivers were developed in-house and are very stable. I'm running with a buffer of 128 samples with tolerable latency and zero glitches. I've even disabled my internal audio and use the Tascam for all Windows audio. There is an issue with that: ASIO takes exclusive control, so you can't have SONAR audio and Windows audio at the same time; you need something like Voicemeeter Banana (very good!) for that. The Tascam US-2x2 is buss-powered, but it also has a 5 VDC input for a power supply if that becomes necessary (like trying to run phantom power to 2 condenser mics from an unpowered USB port). It's $150 at Sweetwater. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/US2X2 http://tascam.com/product/us-2x2/
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Cactus Music
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/07/29 12:24:17
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The Tascam US-2x2 is buss-powered, but it also has a 5 VDC input for a power supply if that becomes necessary (like trying to run phantom power to 2 condenser mics from an unpowered USB port). It's $150 at Sweetwater. So myself I would choose the Tascam over the Scarlett just because it has the power supply option. Buss power is great for say, live playback from a laptop but in the studio you really do need the option for an adaptor for above reasons. One other is I've seen a few reports here about systems that get noise in them from USB buss power. Not all but some. Tascam will possibly be my next interface. I see the UH 7000 has come way down in price. http://tascam.com/product/uh-7000/ Only thing missing is MIDI ports, but I find I don't need them anymore.
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JonD
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/07/29 12:25:28
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Steinberg UR22MkII. Solid drivers, and $50 less than the Scarlett 2i4 (also solid -- my second choice recommendation).
Even if your friend has no plans for a midi keyboard now, best to think ahead and get an interface with onboard midi. Also, it's one less thing he has to buy and learn how to connect later.
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Soundwise
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/07/29 14:08:57
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I'd go for an interface with the lowest RTL possible. People say good things about ZOOM UAC-2. M-Audio will start selling new M-Track 2x2M. Both have USB3 connection.
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Genghis
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/07/29 17:19:25
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Excellent starting points everyone. I use RME FireFace 400 myself, but I'm much more into it than he will probably get. I like the idea of spending just a little more on something with a few more ins, but I'll relay what you guys have said and do a little research on these suggestions. Glad I posted, because I was looking at some Presonus stuff and someone mentioned poor driver support, so I'll avoid that.
Thanks everyone!
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Cactus Music
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/08/01 10:22:01
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Reguarding midi ports. I find all modern midi gear is now connected with USB. So that option is really only a concideration for those with older midi gear.
Round Trip Latency ( RTL) seems to get better as you shop above the $400 price point. Most $200 interfaces will score the same in that department. Manufactures all claim " Near zero latency" which means nothing.
Until you hook it up to your system RTL is only a ballpark measurement. Most all interfaces have dirrect monitoring which eliminates worring about RTL completly. You do need good RTL performance for using things like Guitar Sims which have to be monitored at the back end.
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kitekrazy1
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/08/01 22:20:51
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Steinberg UR22. Lower latency units require more $$$. There's a MOTU AVB UL and RME Babyface. Units under $200 will not match those.
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Frugaard
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Re: Cost Effective 2x2 Audio Interface?
2016/08/12 04:49:07
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I used Focusrite scarlett 2i4 a bit, and liked it very much. I also read good things about Steinberg :)
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