Thanks for the info... I had no idea something like that existed

but, anyway, I don`t see myself opening my PC, taking out my pci-e card every time I need to go to a session with my friends and want to record it on a laptop...
To me, the USB interfaces seems more suited to this kind of job.

 

Hi Guys, me again! This time for a wee bit more Audio Interface advice. I took Rhodes advice on board about aiming for a more modest Audio Interface and putting the savings into upgrading the RAM to 16Gb.

Sooo, I searched around for a while aband found this: https://m.thomann.de/gb/behringer_xenyx_q502_usb.htm
I know it is a mini-mixer but it doubles as an Audio Interface (or so it says). I thought I could finally stop searching and settle for this. Has pretty good reviews despite the price. However...I read on a site that if you use the input channel on the Q502 to record a track and then playback the track and try to record another track, you end up recording the output and the input on the same track which is obviously a no-no.

At the moment (on my old PC), I record a CDJ mix on track 1 in Cubase. I then create a 2nd track and on this track I will add in some scratching while the mix I just made is playing. With the setup I have at the moment I can't hear the scratching coming out of my active monitors (PC) but that isn't a problem because my DJ mixer is also fed into my amp from which I have more speakers and I use these to hear the scratching which is being recorded on the PC.

Sorry for the longwinded post, I suppose to summarise I just wondered if you knew of a modest USB or Firewire Audio Interface I can use which allows me to hear a mix I have just created then allow another track to be created to just record the scratching. Would need at least one input (l&r 1/4" jack) and one output (also 1/4" jack).

I hope this makes sense!

 

have a read here: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep08/articles/audiointerfaces.htm
it is a little outdated as an article, but it will help you to define exactly what you need... than You can compare what is now on the market.

Ask around about the Behringer performances, I haven`t tried it

...I think Focusrite has a few cheap but decent small interfaces for around 100 € that could fit Your needs...

 

I can get you used Tascam US-122 for 75€. Should have everything you need.

If you needed AI just for playback, I would recommend HiFime 9018D equipped with DAC Sabre ES9018K2M. Lots of people buy AI thinking the outputs are great. Though that's rarely the case, like Emu 0204. Scarlett 2i2 and 2i4 are yet another examples of pretty bad DAC chip with thin, unbalanced sound, lacking precision and life overall. ES9018K2M is used on audiophile cards and expensive DAPs above 1000€. The sound quality coming out of it is unmatched with nearly everything on today's market.
9018D is still in preorder state, but it'd definitely be worth it. Supports 32bit at 384kHz PCM and DSD playback through ASIO driver.
It's priced at 120 US dollars *yes*

 

Thanks for replies. I need the AI for more than playback through my active monitors. Also need recording capabilities, however, only need 1 input (left and right quarter inch jack). I need the ability to playback a track in cubase and record audio on a 2nd track. That's the long and short of it!

How about this: https://m.thomann.de/gb/roland_ua55_quadcapture.htm?ref=mrl_a_38

 

Finally settled on the Steinberg UR22. Can get it from Thomann for around £96 delivered. Seems to have just what I need and with the Input/DAW dial, it seems I can playback a previously recorded file and record another one in a separate track with both tracks coming out of the monitor. Had to view a Japanese youtube vid to find that out! Couldn't understand a word he said but the vid said it all.

So, thanks again for all the help guys. I can't believe such a simple thing took so long!