• Hardware
  • What are your thoughts on an Audio Interface for someone on a budget, or has little money?
2017/06/17 00:40:53
Serious_Noize!
       Hello everyone, it's taken me some time, but I think I have a pretty good setup for somebody recording music for themselves. And I should mention once again : "I record music for MYSELF, NOT FOR MONEY OR PROFESSIONALLY".
 
I'm no expert, not a pro. at any instrument that I play. Although I do try. 
 
That being said, here is the thing and my setup : I am using a TONEPORT KB37 to record with. I also use Windows 10. I was 3 months away from getting the free upgrade from POD FARM 1 "Which I have" to POD FARM 2 after Pod Farm come out, and that rather upset me because I bought the TONE PORT KB 37. Meaning LINE 6 DOES apparently NOT SUPPORT THEIR HARDWARE AS TIME GOES ON.
 
Not to mention I purchased every package they had for POD FARM 1 except their BASS PACKAGE.
 
Meaning I spent a TON OF MONEY and got told "PURCHASING THEIR HARDWARE DOES NOT ENTITLE YOU TO UPDATES ON THEIR SOFTWARE EVEN THOUGH YOU SPEND MONEY ON THEIR SOFTWARE PACKAGES".
 
Just wanted to point that out, because I spent upwards buying the packages and the hardware of say 600 dollars or more considering my Toneport KB37 cost.
 
Uhm, I was told I was 3 months too late for their free hardware Pod Farm 2 upgrade.  
 
A 3 month LIMIT that was really robbing people who are TIED to using the Line 6 Tone port KB 37, that is TIED to the device. If you are using POD FARM 1 that is. 
 
You know, I could understand a company NOT SUPPORTING software upgrades, but NOT SUPPORTING SOMEONE WHO PURCHASED THEIR HARDWARE AND THEIR SOFTWARE is really kind of ridiculous. 
 
OKAY, Sorry for the rambling and ranting. I'm sure some of you have similar stories. 
 
Here's my thing : I purchased the full TH3 Overloud Guitar software and the FULL Mark BASS 2 software from Overloud. They work great. THEY ARE GREAT!!!!!!!!!! No HARDWARE TIES like KB37!!!!!!!
 
I want to make a change and get away from Line 6 altogether because of the issues I mention above. 
 
Any recommendations on a AUDIO INTERFACE to record with for around 150 to 200 dollars? 
 
I am done with LINE 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I would have just purchase their SOFTWARE, I could understand the UPGRADE ISSUE, but I not only purchased their packages for POD FARM 1, I also purchased their HARDWARE KB37 and was told I was 3 months too late for the free upgrade to POD FARM 2. That just isn't right. IN MY OPINION.  
 
Thoughts on a great recording interface for around 150 -200 dollars? Audio Input control and a HIGH Z option, along with 24/48 recording are a must.
 
I'm looking at a Steinberg and Saffire Focurite model right now for around those prices. The extra software that comes with them means nothing to me, or that is I could care less about CUBASE!!!!!! CUBASE SUCKS in my opinion but their device does sound pretty solid for recording. As for the Focurite Saffire, I'm not sure........ 
 
Thoughts on this? Have another suggestion for around the price I am mentioning? 
 
 
Thanks in advance, 
 
                        Bobby
 
2017/06/17 00:47:29
eph221
So, the best deal right now, biggest bang for the buck, I feel is a used RME PCI 9632 or 9652.  Both sell for around $200 on ebay and reverb. Can't beat the latency and quality of sound. Rme still makes these cards and builds drivers for them. :D:D
2017/06/17 01:22:47
JonD
eph221
So, the best deal right now, biggest bang for the buck, I feel is a used RME PCI 9632 or 9652.  Both sell for around $200 on ebay and reverb. Can't beat the latency and quality of sound. Rme still makes these cards and builds drivers for them. :D:D



Sure, RME still supports the drivers.  But the big disadvantage is PCI slots are all but obsolete.  Newer systems with PCI slots are bridged, meaning the shared PCI bus is unsuitable for audio interfaces. 
 
I'd rather put that $200 towards a newer RME interface (or alternative) that will work on a new PC if I upgrade tomorrow. 
2017/06/17 01:37:53
eph221
My pci isn't bridged.  I have a fireface 400 and am not happy with it.  It was a steal at $440, but it's not working out.  I'm going back to a 9632.  But SN (the OP) find deals on older rme equipment, they seldom become obsolete.  The AIO is $800 something (it's pcie) but you can get it cheaper.  If your pci isn't bridged, go for the pci ones, they're dirt cheap.
2017/06/17 01:40:14
eph221
Of course there's the lynx L22.  That's pcie I think.  That's an older model that goes for around $200.
2017/06/17 04:25:11
JonD
eph221
My pci isn't bridged.  I have a fireface 400 and am not happy with it.  It was a steal at $440, but it's not working out.  I'm going back to a 9632.  But SN (the OP) find deals on older rme equipment, they seldom become obsolete.  The AIO is $800 something (it's pcie) but you can get it cheaper.  If your pci isn't bridged, go for the pci ones, they're dirt cheap.




For non-bridged PCI, you're right.  No doubt, older RME card is a great choice and bargain.
 
My point was that the non-bridged PCI slots are rare on newer systems.  If you have an older system, then you're fine.  If you don't plan to upgrade for awhile, then you're fine.
 
But you have to plan your system around the card and not the other way around.  You decide to order a custom DAW built with the fastest i7... and you can't because no current board has a non-bridged PCI slot (that I'm aware of).  Or, your motherboard dies -- again, no new system for you.  You can, of course, build another system with 6 year old technology so you can keep the PCI card.  For some users. not exactly ideal.
2017/06/17 08:12:11
Afrodrum
These days even entry level interfaces sound pro. If you need no more than two inputs and have USB 3.0 slot on your computer I would go for ZOOM uac2. You will also be good with any entry level Scarlet, Tascam, Presonus and even Behringer.
2017/06/17 15:23:38
Cactus Music
 
At you price point there are some solid brands. Go to Sweetwater and mostly what you need to do is decide which "Features" you need. Most of the popular budget interfaces will perform the same. It's the features you need to shop for.
 
Read my shopping list for some tips on what to look for. 
 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca/Recording.htm#AI Shopping List
 
 
2017/06/17 16:31:12
kitekrazy1
JonD
eph221
So, the best deal right now, biggest bang for the buck, I feel is a used RME PCI 9632 or 9652.  Both sell for around $200 on ebay and reverb. Can't beat the latency and quality of sound. Rme still makes these cards and builds drivers for them. :D:D



Sure, RME still supports the drivers.  But the big disadvantage is PCI slots are all but obsolete.  Newer systems with PCI slots are bridged, meaning the shared PCI bus is unsuitable for audio interfaces. 
 
I'd rather put that $200 towards a newer RME interface (or alternative) that will work on a new PC if I upgrade tomorrow. 




 Agree. BTW I'm pretty sure Hammerfall PCIs are no longer manufactured.  Before forking out money on a used card I would check the RME forums first.
 
 You take a risk that one may not work if the motherboard goes out.  Even those under warranty are replaced with boards that have revisions.
 
 For under $200 there are a lot of choices.  Focusrite are good units. 
2017/06/17 21:05:18
Serious_Noize!
Afrodrum
These days even entry level interfaces sound pro. If you need no more than two inputs and have USB 3.0 slot on your computer I would go for ZOOM uac2. You will also be good with any entry level Scarlet, Tascam, Presonus and even Behringer.

Thank you, that ZOOM uac2 is a little more than I plan to spend, but it sounds like what I am looking for. The USB 3.0 being used is something I was hoping for also, but it appears most of the devices out there currently for purchase for the most part are only supporting USB 2.0. 

Thanks again!
 
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