What are your thoughts on an Audio Interface for someone on a budget, or has little money?

       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
 

Of course there's the lynx L22.  That's pcie I think.  That's an older model that goes for around $200.

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. 

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. 

 
They're still in production.  The pci card with the digiface etc...is out of production.  And regardless you can buy ne
 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. 

 
 Agree. BTW I'm pretty sure Hammerfall PCIs are no longer manufactured. 
 
They're still in production.  The pci card with the digiface etc...is out of production.  And regardless you can buy new old stock on ebay.  Everyone says buy new instead of old,  I've seldom had problems with buying used tech.  The only thing I've ever had die on me was a hard drive.  

RSMCGUITAR

Serious_Noize!
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. 
 

 
Everything I've heard says there is no real advantage between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 for audio interfaces.

I would recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4

Thank you! I'm going to take another look at the Focusrite products. I found this article on USB 2.0 vs. USB 3.0 and it pretty much explained it for me. I understand it better now. Thanks!
 
https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/208095469-USB-2-0-vs-USB-3-0
 
I also found this article for anyone interested in this subject. 
 
http://masters-of-music.com/stop-asking-for-usb-3-0-on-audio-interfaces-it-offers-no-benefits/
 
 

 Hold the presses!!!!!
 
See this link for a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 for only $169.99
 
 

dude, buy the best you can afford.
 
when you think you have enough,
wait and save up twice as much,
then pull the trigger.
 

 
I recommend an interface with separate headphone and monitor controls.
 
 

The focusrite interfaces are imo the best in that price range,
but the ( used ) RME cards have better rtl latency.
Another reason why focusrite is imo the best  competitor in that price range is that you get
via the plugin collective every months another plugin for free:
I got the phoenix verb and several other first class plugins that way .
The sound (in fact is has no "sound",I know)of the focusrite interfaces is 
awesome,means preamps,hi-z aso and the rtl latency is OK..

Hello and welcome, michael.
 
I recommend to start a new thread cause
your question is hidden except for the people accidentally 
reading this thread about interfaces.
 
have a nice time enjoying this forum.

Yes, An audio interface is not something that benefits a game at all.