Hi guys new to the forum and completely new to home recording I'm using sonar 7 and need and interface to put a condenser mic midi keyboard and guitar in any suggestions of what would be best as a beginner to use for under £60? Thanks

That's a strange one Chris, using Sonar 7 that is. What made you opt for that version?

You don't say what you have in terms of your workstation. Is it a desktop or laptop? Do you want to go down the internal or external device route?

For your budget you could probably get hold of a Roland Duo-Capture which is as simple as you can get and plugs into a USB socket, so no messing around inside your PC.

http://www.roland.co.uk/products/productdetails.aspx?p=1155

Hi a friend gave me sonar 7 that's why I had it also been playing with adobe audition but found sonar better I have a Sony laptop what would you suggest that would suit me better than sonar 7 I'm currently writing my own songs on guitar but am a Total beginner to recording so its all new to me I think an external interface would probably be better for me thanks 

Don't get me wrong dood, Sonar 7 is fine.

If I were you I would take my laptop along to a music shop and ask if you can try out what they have. Explain your budget and what you want to do and I'm sure you would find them quite helpful.

Ok bro thanks need to get a mic and interface sorted and get all these songs down was using GarageBand on iPad before but it's limited and the sound quality is pants forgot to say the laptops running windows 8

Windows 8? Then you also need to make sure that the device you opt for comes with Windows 8 drivers. Well worth doing your research before you spend your hard earned cash

60 pound which I guess is still under $100 us seems scary to me when it comes to interfaces. The audio interface is the most important piece of gear you will purchase for computer based recording. Like all gear you get what you pay for. 

The drivers are paramount. But most brand name top sellers will have W8 64 bit drivers. 

What I recommend is making a list of the features that are important to you. 

How many inputs you use at a time.
What type will you use? XLR, 1/4", RCA , SPDIF and  MIDI. 
How many out puts and what type connect to your monitors ? 
Headphones and controls for balancing the input with the computer playback. 
Do you need phantom power? and if so does the device run on only USB power or is there AC power option. 
Is it built well? plastic of steel. 
Do you want to use Guitar rig or real time EFX's?? then you'll need low latency. 

Some interfaces also come with a basic version of recording Software. This can be a good value added bonus. Example the Roland interfaces come with X version Essentials. I think it's Presonus comes with Studio 1. Some have CubaseLE etc.  

I don't think Sonar 7 was made for W7 or 8 and 64 bit so I wouldn't really expect great performance from it. I know some people do but personally I'd get a newer version. 

Ok guys awesome I am serious about it but just bought a new guitar so funds are lacking a bit I can probably stretch to £150 for an interface but need a mic with this budget too as for the interface I think I would need a midi in and out a mic point and 1/4 inch for guitar withFantom power that plugs in and is suitable for windows 8 I can always ditch sonar 7 and get a newer version what do you recommend also thanks for all your help guys 

Ok guys awesome I am serious about it but just bought a new guitar so funds are lacking a bit I can probably stretch to £150 for an interface but need a mic with this budget too as for the interface I think I would need a midi in and out a mic point and 1/4 inch for guitar withFantom power that plugs in and is suitable for windows 8 I can always ditch sonar 7 and get a newer version what do you recommend also thanks for all your help guys 

First decide what kind of interfacing you have - Firewire or USB.  I bet it is usb on your computer.  So you need a usb interface.

At the entry level for interfaces there isn't much quality difference - drivers are the key.  That is the little bit of software that lets the interface "talk" to the computer and makes all the difference between stability and latency.  Most interfaces will come w/ 2 inputs, 2 outputs and at least one preamp for a mic (and a DI for guitar/bass).  Most will have midi so you can use the old 5-pin connectors if you have a synth (most today have usb midi).

Focusrite and Roland are the two companies you will see mostly on the forums.  Either should work.  But just buy from a retailer that will let you return one unit for another.  Most any ole unit will work, but w/ PCs you can't be sure if your specific hardware will work w/ all interfaces.  It is much easier to return such a unit than go on a time-consuming fix.  It isn't likely, but worth having as a back up plan.

Mic inputs will come w/ phantom power - a guitar input (DI) doesn't need it.  Just so you know.  The midi in/out is useful, but as I said above most modern keyboards have midi via USB.  Unless you plan to use a midi pin synth I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor.  And you can also add a sub $50 midi-usb adaptor later if you need a 5-pin midi in/out.

My favorite low-cost unit is the TC Konnekt 6 - a table top unit w/ a built-in vol knob.  $200.  SOS rated it as the best-sounding low cost unit a few years ago.  But no midi and it uses Firewire. 

For a mic and guitar it is hard to beat a shure 57.

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ps - I hope your friend gave you the serial # and reg # and his pw for the Cake Store.  I doubt if there are any new updates but the bug fixes wouldn't be w/ the DVD.  And what he is doing breaks Cake's license.  You won't be able to use the upgrade path - you'll be treated as a new customer.  Worth it, tho.
 
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