USB Audio Interface recommendations

The Cakewalk UA-101 has 1o inputs/outputs that will show up separately in Sonar. I'm sure there are other audio interfaces that would also do the job. Another thing you might look at is a digital mixer.

Chappel


The Cakewalk UA-101 has 1o inputs/outputs that will show up separately in Sonar. I'm sure there are other audio interfaces that would also do the job. Another thing you might look at is a digital mixer.

technically the UA-101 has only 8 analog inputs, the other two are digital.  BUT you can daisy chain 2 of them using that optical input/output and get 16 channels of analog input.  (and he's asking for 12 analog inputs)

Beagle,
I was just looking at the Motu Mk3 hybrid on ebay, and as you say it's expandable.
Are you happy with it?
 
It would be nice to have something that can be used when we play live as well.
 

Something else I've just thought about, if I'm recording 7 channels of drums and 1 vox via mic's then whatever I get will need 8 pre-amps which bumps the price up to about double.

I have been using the Tascam us 1641 which has 8 pre amps and 6 TRS inputs plus SPDIF and MIDI. SO a possible 16 analog and 16 MIDI. I have recorded 12 channels to an old Acer 2004 laptop running XP with no problem. I have not tried using MIDI at the same time but I don't see why not.
They were clearing them out at a few places as low as $200. It is a solid , good sounding unit. The only issue's I have are related to my old computer. Theres a new model as well that has meters on the front. ALl my reading on the net has yet to find anyone complaining about the unit, only the usual driver issues that all interfaces seem to have.

I hope those tascam drivers are good. 

good to hear!  yes, tascam should make good stuff.  often they have fallen short, however, when it comes to software, IMO.

A bit wierd this one!

I've set up a keyboard (audio) on stereo inst input (9),
Set an audio track up for input 9, with the output to Master and the Master to output 1 of the Tascam interface,
Arm the track,
Play a few notes, the meter goes up as I play the notes, but nothing goes to the master or output 1,
Unarm the track, make no adjustment to the settings, play the track, recorded audio goes to Master and outputs through output 1 to the monitor speakers.
 Arm the track, play a few notes, nothing going to Master track.

Am I missing something here?

OK problem solved,

From Preferences (P)

Select Driver -> Asio
Apply Changes

Reload Sonar, and that's about it

I feel silly reporting what I did to make it work, cause i tried it before and it didnt work.

Also note:
It didnt work properly in one USB Port, so I tried the other and it did.
For increased performance, i changed the priority of SonarPDR.exe to Realtime

Sorry I didn't reply, I've not been on here for a while.
How are you getting on with the Tascam.
I'm struggling a bit TBH, I keep getting odd blips in the recordings, I'm not sure if it's the Tascam, if it's the amount of data I'm trying to stream through the USB (13 tracks of audio), or the average specs of my PC. When it works right the sound's pretty good though.

curb


I'm a bit flush at the mo, just landed a great job, and I'm looking at upgrading from my 2-channel audio interface.
 
I play drums in a traditional rock band, ideally i would like to record our rehearsals with 6 channels of drums (2 overheads, kick snare and the toms mixed to stereo), plus bass, 2 guitars, 1 vox & stereo keyboard, a total of 12 channels into my laptop.
Is this possible with USB, or would I have to scale it down and mix the drums into 2 channels giving me 8 in total?
 
Another option is to midi the keys in which would free up a couple of channels for snare and kick, then mix the rest of the drums.
 
What is the limitation of USB?
I'm guessing it's the bandwidth of how much info is passed through the USB connection, rather than the spec of the laptop.
 
I do use a keyboard sometimes to control synths, but having the fastest latency isn't that important, an average one would do me.

 
I have a tip for you, do not buy low end USB interfaces.  I bought the TascamUS 144 and have still not been able to work with it.  It had some serious problems with recording.   Turns out it is the OS. I wouldn't advise you to buy any low end Tascam products for that matter.  There support guys will only give you the run around saying that it is the software or your computer no  their product.
 I have also heard about some bad things with their more expensive products.  I'm switching to a firewire interface and will not do any USB interfaces for a while unless it clearly states it supports windows 7 when it comes out instead of relying on drivers. I want to make music first then try to learn some technical engineering stuff not the other way around.
 
So I would recommend a PCI, firewire interface or a higher end USB interface. Don't take my word for it, If you want some more advice, google this guy Jim Roseberry. He is an expert and has been doing this stuff for years.  He tweaked my machine for me so I should be ready to go with another interface.