DAW Interface?

[velorush]

Let's say preparing gear for sale (and selling quite a lot of it) over the past month has given me time to reflect on just how much fun making noise is, even if no one else is involved...

And, let's say enough time has passed since my horrendous experience with Cubase that I might entertain another attempt at recording said noise (as a means of self entertainment and as a justification for maybe keeping some of the remaining gear)...

And, let's say I have perused the HFC Experts board on recording software and watched a video on Reaper and have concluded Reaper might be a better way to get into recording,

Which interface should I be looking at?  For now (and if it matters), I'll be using my home PC: a Dell workstation with Win7 Professional, 64 bit with (IIRC) 8 Gb RAM.

Other information that is probably necessary: I'd probably be recording one guitar at a time, though the capability of two instruments at a time (or, watching Pete Thorn, two inputs from the same instrument) might be nice.

I'd like to get something very workable (and am willing to spend enough for that), but not so expensive that if this didn't work out I'd get a cramp over the loss on resale. 

[gorch]

Terratec DMX6Fire USB. Well working, great sounding, and many options. Buy used on Ebay.

[mathman]

I am very happy with my Focusrite 6i6.  There are many variations of Focusrite interfaces for different budgets.  Most if not all have pretty good pre-amps for mic input.

Focusrite USB interfaces.

[zorrow]

I use a Line 6 POD Studio GX --have a look at it here: http://www.amazon.com/Line-6-POD-Studio-GX/dp/B001EHWD0I

It works and it's very simple and intuitive. You can find it used from $40 to $60. Even the older version, which has the front panel coloured in red, works perfectly. It uses the same drivers than the new one. You can download the drivers of you interface for free from the Line 6 site, using a software of theirs whose name is "Line 6 Monkey" --look for it here: http://line6.com/software/

[FrettyMcgee]

I've got a old Echo GIna 3G interface that is holding up. But I am thinking about updating to a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 or the 6i6 I've heard nothing but good things about them, including bang for the buck.

As for interface, I like Cakewalk's Sonar and Sonar X series. They are pretty intuitive and don't use up too many resources.  

 

[anotherfreak]

I just stepped up to Studio One, and I picked up a Focusrite Clarett 2pre it's better than I NEED, but it is very cool!

[Michael_B]

On 4/29/2016 at 10:05 PM, zorrow said:

I use a Line 6 POD Studio GX --have a look at it here: http://www.amazon.com/Line-6-POD-Studio-GX/dp/B001EHWD0I

It works and it's very simple and intuitive. You can find it used from $40 to $60. Even the older version, which has the front panel coloured in red, works perfectly. It uses the same drivers than the new one. You can download the drivers of you interface for free from the Line 6 site, using a software of theirs whose name is "Line 6 Monkey" --look for it here: http://line6.com/software/

Years ago, when I went off half-cocked to record my noise, I bought a used MBox on CL (got a solid deal).  Afterwards, I realized that my dusty POD would have worked fine. The MBox fits on my desk a little better- at least that's what I tell myself to make me feel better about being thoughtless about the purchase.

[Teh]

I have a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.  It's overkill for 95% of what I do, but it's been used a couple times to record large ensembles/choirs and the eight inputs came in handy.  I love the preamps on Focusrite gear.

Frankly, if you're looking for a bare-bones basic interface, grab a used Zoom H4.  SD and battery operation lets you grab and go to record on the fly, or you can connect to PC with USB cable for use as an audio interface -- It has two combi inputs (XLR/TRS).  I've a 1st gen one I'd sell you $75...

[velorush]

I was looking at this:

 

Overkill?  The idea of having its own processor to carry the weight of plug-ins seems like a great idea.

[Jakeboy]

I live Reaper and am using a Roland OctaCapture as my interface. I love it. I don't need 8 inputs at this time, but I fully expect to move from recording just myself to recording other bands....and then I will need the extra inputs. I really like the Roland.

[kevinbower1959]

I use and would strongly recommend the little Presonus Audiobox 22VSL ... https://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-22VSL

[Gino]

If you can connect via firewire, try to get a used ECHOaudio Audiofire interface. They can be fetched for fairly little money and feature superb sound quality (AD/DA converters are supposed to be the same as RME's fireface) and rock solid drivers. I've been an ECHO fan every since my first GINA card...