Hello! I'm a beginner looking for audio interface I could use to plug in a keyboard & record MIDI to my desktop. Also I would occasionally use a microphone to record vocals. A guitar input would be nice, though not necessary. I plan to use a sampler and record different instrument tracks one by one and need to be able to listen to those I recorded while recording a new one (so I would know what I need to fill). I guess I would use the interface only to record the sound and I would do all mixing on the computer (quad core AMD 3.2Ghz with 4GB RAM and Win7 64bit).

I got all confused asking people around for advice because they all seem to value only (semi)professional stuff and I tried recording things with my computer keyboard and Realtek integrated sound card with Asio4All installed and not only the sound seemed decent, I had no latency at all - though I doubt it would stay that way if I tried playing multiple tracks. So, I need something simple, yet reliable and suitable for home studio. PCI, USB, Firewire, whatever, up to 300$.

 

If you are using Ableton Live...as ur DAW... stay away from any M-Audio card...

Otherwise.. most low end cards offer the same solutions, I would advise any card u can afford, that has ASIO and has the inputs you need.

My Suggestion... Suggested

The rest... Other Cards

Good luck

 

@ Pixie,

A simple suggestion and that must cost around $200, if not yet discontinued !
In case it's discontinued and that you can find a 'second hand' in good conditions, it could be a good deal...


E-MU USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface

E-MU's new 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface delivers an unparalleled level of audio performance for your Mac or PC. Take delight in its premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters, pristine XTC™ mic/line/hi-Z preamps, ultra-low jitter clock and rock-solid stability.

From its plug-and-play functionality and hands-on ergonomic design to its professional features and signal-to-noise specifications, the 0404 USB beats any other USB interface on the market hands down and is set to change your expectations of USB audio forever. The 0404 USB comes with the E-MU Production Tools Software Bundle which includes E-MU's Proteus VX, as well as software by Cakewalk, Steinberg, Ableton, IK Multimedia, and many more - basically everything you need to create, record, edit and master your music with.

The E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 features:

Premium 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters1 (A/D: 113dB SNR, D/A: 117dB SNR) deliver unmatched USB audio fidelity
E-MU XTC Class-A ultra-low noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamplifiers (-127dB EIN) with 48V phantom power and ground lift switches enable you to plug microphones, keyboards and guitars straight into your computer to achieve professional results, while the built-in analog soft limiting circuit lets you record a hotter signal without the fear of clipping
Comprehensive digital I/O with optical and coaxial S/PDIF (switchable to AES/EBU) and MIDI In/Out to easily connect all your digital studio gear and instruments
Ultra-low latency USB 2.0 drivers offer accurate timing and playback of your recorded audio and software instruments
Hardware zero-latency direct monitoring (mono/stereo) allows you to record and overdub with no annoying delays
Plug-and-play operation with hands-on control over all major functions like master level, direct monitoring, preamplifier controls and more
Cross-platform support (Windows XP/x64 and Mac OS X) and compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications (Windows: ASIO2, WDM, MME, AC-3 and DTS Passthru; Macintosh: Apple CoreAudio, CoreMIDI, AC-3 and DTS Passthru)

I/O Configuration:

Two E-MU XTC™ Ultra-low Noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z Preamps with Soft Limiter and 48V Phantom Power (-127dBu EIN)
Two 1/4" Balanced Outputs (117dB SNR)
Stereo 1/8" Speaker Output (117dB SNR)
24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF Optical In/Out (Switchable to AES/EBU)1
24-bit/96kHz S/PDIF Coaxial In/Out (Switchable to AES/EBU) 1
MIDI Input/Output
Stereo Headphone Output (114dB SNR)





A rather objective Customer Review :

"High quality but not in every way!"
Sound: This device records in a scientific way. There is no coloring to the sound. Most devices sound a lot warmer than the Emu 0404, so dont't be surprised by that. It's not a bad thing to have a raw recording without any character. You do have to warm it up yourself if you like such sounds. Allmost no noise, I never found devices without such a low noise level. The sound is fantastic with mikes, but the device is EXTREMELY difficult to adjust when you want to prevent distortion. Especially with line and guitar recording. The potmeters are connected to electronics that mess with the value. Over a certain point, amplification is boosted beyond control, no matter how carefull you turn the knobs. Good headphone port quality. Never heard clearer playback of recordings, and I work at a TV station where they use pro stuff. Feature: You have zero latency monitoring. This is it's main value along with the low noise AD and DA converters. It does work very well with powerfull computers. My 2008 PC dual core notebook, has some stutters when playing or recording but most of the time the stutter is not in the recorded file, it's just a playback problem. However, use a powerfull PC! It helps a lot. XLR in is nice to have, even the line jacks are balanced if you want to. S/PDIF is there but I have not used it yet. It seems S/PDIF out is not always available! Phantom power, which works. Has MIDI in and out but never tested it yet. The guitar input is crap. This is no real Hi-Z input! It should be done with a switch because you really need to change the impedance of the input for guitars. Emu claims it can be done with the stageless potmeters but forget it. Even with a phantom powered DI box, guitars still don't sound great. No high frequencies... You have sample frequencies up to 192kHz but not with Mac and S/PDIF also stops at 96kHz. This does not matter, it's over the top. For normal music stuff I use 48kHz at 24 bit. You can go to 32 bit. You can't do field recordings because it needs EXTERNAL 5 volt power. You could make a battery thing, but that won't last long because I feel a bit of heat which means quite some power use.

Ease of Use: You must know a thing or two about the system menu of your PC configuration screen and how to adjust sound cards. If not, you'll need a nerd. The software is outdated but still very useable. Cubase LE works fine but you really need to read a lot about it. Wake the card up in the VST section and connect it to channels on the timeline or mixer. It took me one day to find that out but I'm no musician at all. The Amplitube software did not work but they gave me a free new product which works fine. It's not that great but good enough for what I payed for the entire set. I never tested the other software, that comes with it. Proteus looks like something nice but it's only a guess. Quality: I love-hate it. As said the converters and inputs are very high quality without any noise. If you hear noise, it's your gear. The adjustment of the recordings however, is very problematic. The knobs are too rough and the inputs too sensitive for distortion. The LED meters are far too rough, use your PC. I'm a very precise person, so don't think it's me. The guitar option is total crap. No real Hi-Z The house is made of flimsy plastic with flimsy knobs, but if you do not let your childeren operate it, it will last. The soft clipping option does NOT work. It's creates instant Jimi Hendrix distortion. I don't understand how it's design could have left the lab like this. The little knobs to lift ground level are also b*llsh*t. When I had a groundloop noise, those switches just turned the sound into maximum power 60Hz humm. Value: 200 euro is too much regarding the flaws it has. It would be worth 400 euro's if the distortion and the guitarport were fixed! And I would have payed for that! Manufacturer Support: The support reacts within the day but they can't do anything about the stupid design flaws anymore ofcourse. The Wow Factor: I had a good nerdy appeal to it, but it does not completely do what is says. It's a photo model with false teeth and a wig. Overall: There is no good USB audio device. Believe me. All others have loads of noise and considerably worse microphone inputs. The Emu is the only one without these sound problems and it is the only one with zero latency. Tascam has no zero latency and clicks with guitars, Line6 devices have bad mike inputs, Edirol stutters all the time etc. etc. I'll have to live with the impossible recordlevel knobs and I'll have to build or buy a decent guitar input, with real impedance adjustment. Even a DI box did not give me what I wanted.



E-MU USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface Features

E-MU USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface Specifications

E-MU USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface Package Contents



Above all, don't hesitate to test the several Audio/MIDI Interfaces that you can afford to get your OWN conclusions... *yes*
and Good Luck in your quest !

 

Thanks! One Reason, Focusrite Saffire is among my options, it has good reviews. Studio 555, I read good things about that particular E-MU as well but I seem to recall reading about some compatibility issues with Win7, I'll have to look into it.

 

For those needs, it would be Focusrite Saffire 6. Would select the same myself.
You know, out of specially USB audio interfaces, it's tough choice if you cannot afford RME gears, as there are lots of crap that have very bad drivers. Just solely one thing where most of interfaces fall, drivers. So always check what people have to say about those, no matter how amazing gear itself seems. For that sense not much seems to be wrong in Saffire 6.. have good drivers, low latency, midi, mic/line inputs, phantom power.. and it's not too expensive!

 

What's better, USB or Firewire option? If I get a TI chipset Firewire? I do need Firewire for my old camcorder so I figured I might use it for audio as well.

 

Hi,you may take a look to this one:



http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/microbook/body.html

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/microbook/specs.html

or to this:



http://echoaudio.com/products/audiofire-4#features-tab

 

You need a pci-e firewire card, not a pci, with ti chipset !!!

Which motherboard and chipset have you?This is very important!!!

I suggest you this firewire card:

SIIG NN-E20012-S2 PCIe



http://www.siig.com/it-products/firewire/firewire-400/pcie/firewire-2-port-pcie-dv.html

You can find it on ebay around 50 dollars

 

That's actually not 100% correct... some of the Firewire cards now run on Native windows legacy drivers.. The Focusrite card Is one example.

No 3rd party,. TI card required. *no*

Which is better? Firewire has a faster transfer rate \ lower latency than USB.

 

The external Soundcards made by Native Instruments are quite good and have a wonderful sound. If you want to plug in your keyboard and a guitar or microphone only, Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ with two inputs is adequate. Price is about 100€. Audio 4 DJ has four inputs, Audio 8 DJ eight Inputs.

I have it since 2008 and still happy with it.

 

I'm using Presonus AudioBox 44VSL.

This one is quite chip. I'm not sure about DA conversion is great or not, cause i don't have another Audio Interface to prepare with it.
This one's not bad.

 

You can't go wrong with the Focusrite Saffire 6, it suits your needs perfectly and at a great price. Or if you want to pay more, go with bluespirals suggestion of the audiofire4.

What ever you decide on though do your research and make sure it's compatible with your system.

Good luck *yes*

 

one reason: why no m-audio with ableton live? my delta 1010s work great with live..

 

The motherboard box says Gigabyte 880GM-UD2H. AMD 880G/SB710 chipset. Don't know anything about those things.

I'm strongly leaning toward Firewire option. We have Focusrite Saffire models here. AudioFire4 is a bit over my budget and it has to be ordered online. Since One Reason said that all low end cards are alike, I'd rather go with something cheaper (if the quality is more-less the same) and available in my city. If I'm wrong correct me.

 

Check ebay. There's a ton of bomb deals. I bought a cheap little Lexicon Lambda for my son for under $50 and a couple days later found a Saffire Pro 24 for about $160. Both arrived in excellent condition.

 

M-Audio audio interfaces and midi controllers can cause Live not to close properly if Live crashes.. the drivers lock and a reboot is required to close the program completely.

Not sure about the Delta line tho.

 

I use the Focusrite Sapphire 6 also. Works great for me. Easy to set-up with my DAW, easy MIDI keyboard set-up.

Ive recorded vocals with it and have had no problems, sounds great to me.

 

Hmmmm must check it out Thanks :D

 

How much latency do you have with those audio interfaces? Right now, with an integrated sound card my latency is 16ms.