Sorry if this isn't the best forum for this topic, but I know you guys and trust your opinions.

I was using an Edirol UA-1EX as an audio interface, with my mic (low-end Shure or other low-end mic) plugged in, and connected to my Vista Laptop or my XP PC. I'm recording with either Sound Forge or Audacity. The problem: Sometimes it will work fine, and other times there will be a huge amount of static on the recording that comes and goes, totally obscuring the recorded audio (and it is always much louder than the rest of the audio take). It often fades in and out over a period of time. For example, yesterday I did two recordings, one for 30 minutes and the other for 45 minutes, and there were 2-3 segments in each clip where the static came in.

When it's doing this, I can see lights flickering indicating input from the RCA input jacks which are not being used at all. I used to keep my DP hooked up to this to record the DP sound, but then when I noticed the lights and the interference I left it unplugged, and yet the lights still flicker. I've also tried messing with the settings on the unit itself with no improvement at all. As you can see, I've tried several configurations in attempts to troubleshoot (different mics, different computers, different OS, different cables, different software) and determined that the issue is with the interface and not any other hardware or software. I've finally realized that it must have shorted out and it's time to buy something new.

I understand this is a low-end model interface intended for travel, but it was my first foray into recording. I bought it in July 2008 and it worked until about 6-8 months ago.
I'd really like to get something that will last longer, so a step up. My budget is as low I can go, but I'm willing to spend $150. The main purposes of the unit is to record my voice students' lessons so they can practice from it, so it will get daily use, and record audio input from both the voice and acoustic piano via a mic. However, I would like it to be able to handle some better quality audio recording for my own purposes.

Or perhaps spending money on a USB interface isn't the way to go? Is there some other equipment that I can invest in that would be much better use of money?

Also, if you know of any websites/forums out there that would be helpful, I'd appreciate that as well.

Morodiene,


Here are some links to get you started.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOFTRACKPRO

http://www.zzounds.com/item--LEXOMEGA

http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0404

http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0202

Morodiene,

I know you'll get a lot of suggestions about various USB interfaces but since I don't use a USB interface myself, I'll let others give you suggestions on specific models. An alternative to a computer audio interface is a multi-track recorder. Although it might be above you budget, you might want to consider something like the Tascam DP-004 ($200).

I don't own one of these but I used to own a older Fostex recorder that worked well. Something like this will allow you to record away from your computer, if that' something you would find useful. You can still connect this to your computer and copy and move files over, it you want.

http://homerecording.com/bbs/ is a forum you might want to check out.

Thanks guys, I will definitely research those.

Check out the Zoom H2. It's a very sophisticated device in a small, inexpensive package, people love them, and a lot of musicians are using them. The mics in it are probably better than the one you already have.

I've had erratic results with USB recording inputs. When they work, they're great, but when they don't, the problems are impossible to solve. A separate recorder will eliminate all that

Michael, I didn't even think of that! I have heard good things about these units as well. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I might as well get something I know works consistently.

How easy is it to download an mp3 recording onto a USB flash drive? That's what my students use to take their recording home.

Plug the recorder into one of your computer's USBs and it is seen as an external USB drive. Plug the student's flash drive into another USB outlet, and copy the files from one to the other (and over onto your computer, while you're at it). It's pretty simple.

One of the other nice things about it is the hole in the bottom, where you can screw in a tripod or something similar, to put it just where you want it, with no wires getting in the way. I use something similar for recording concerts in my shop. For classes, instead of recording .wav files it will record directly to MP3s--smaller files, and more portable: your students can put their lessons on their iPods, directly. :-)

The first thing to decide is the level of audio quality you want and if you are going to do much post procesing or just be happy with the raw recodings. If the purpose is just so a musician can review a performance and hear what notes were nit then the raw audio files are good enough. But if the purpose is a recording to be given to others, well people are used to CD's from classical labels made in professional studios. If your CDs are lessor quality you will appear to be a bit of an amateur.

Those hand held recorders are good enough if you just want to review a performance and don't intend to do much post processing. But the result sounds like you used a hand held recorder. No one will mistake the sound for a professional studio recording.

Using a separate mic allows you to both (1) place the mic correctly and (2) select the best mic for the job. The USB audio interface should have a gain adjustment and at least LEDs so you can set the level. They should also do 24-bits and high sample rates and if you intend to process the data or play it back over monitors. the data is already inside the computer and does not need to be transferred.

Computers also allow things like "punch-in" partial retakes and management of multiple takes and can produce "click tracks" to headphone so you can do multi-track recording.

Which to get depends on your intended use and the level of sophistication to want to operate at. It would not be unreasonable to have both.

If you want to buy a USB audio interface, $150 is a reasonable budget. Some good brands to look at are Focusrite and Presonus.

She may not want to learn to be a recording engineer. :-) But hand held recorders have come very far in the last couple of years. I've been using a M-Audio Microtrack for shop concerts, and my partners were VERY surprised. It easily betters DAT, the previous ultimate portable rig.

Here's a recital recorded very simply:
http://www.archive.org/details/fjt2008-09-11.flac16
Another, where you can see the recorder on the right. Placed for the violin, not the piano, but interesting: http://www.youtube.com/user/MontanaWeiss

If you want to really geek out, there are some people taking it seriously:
http://www.radio.uqam.ca/ambisonic/comparative_recording.html
http://rontech.blogspot.com/

I have not used the eMu USB audio interfaces, but have used the 0404 PCI, the 1212M, the 1616M cardbus (for notebook), and the 1820M - all with very good results and excellent quality. The USB 0404 provides both audio and midi connections, and is priced somewhat under $200. My understanding is that the same computer processing system is used in this as the older units that I have.

Never tried them on a Mac, but they do have drivers. I have used mine on both Windows XP and Windows 7 with no problems, and can recommend them. They have both 1/4" connectors and XLR connectors, so that you can use microphones right up to professional level.

Chris, I was kind of hoping for something that could be both: something that alone would provide a decent enough recording so students could hear when they sounded good or not, review instructions, etc. But then something that could also be used with an external mic or two for a better quality sound that could be further edited on the PC.

Michael, I liked the violin recording, actually. I think that would be a very nice recording for my students purposes. Does it allow you to use your own mics, and how many?

Moody, I'll check that unit out as well.

What you care about if using an external mic is

1) If the mic is a condenser type can the recorder supply phantom power (condenser mics don't work without it)

2) Is there even a an XLR jack on the unit so you could plug in a mic

3) Can you set the gain on the preamp?, Is there a knob? Is there a UV meter so you can see where the knob should be set.


With those hand held recorders I wonder how easy it is to select segments of audio to play back. For example in Garage Band I can simply click the mouse on the 10th bar to start playback at bar 10. With an old tape machine I'd keep a "tape log" and write the "odometer" reading and then use FF and rewind to get to the number.

I have no idea how you find parts of recording and play them back on a hand held recorder. there must be a time display and some way to get back to a given point. I'd check that out carefully But I'll tell you computer based recording has spoiled everyone.

You can get a pretty good audio interface for your computer for $150.

I think you will work differently depending on the goal. If the goal is a polished recording you will be doing multiple takes on both piano and voice you may want to record MIDI for the piano and later you mix both down to stereo. You need a computer for that kind of work

"I've also tried messing with the settings on the unit itself with no improvement at all. As you can see, I've tried several configurations in attempts to troubleshoot (different mics, different computers, different OS, different cables, different software) and determined that the issue is with the interface and not any other hardware or software. I've finally realized that it must have shorted out and it's time to buy something new.

I understand this is a low-end model interface intended for travel, but it was my first foray into recording. I bought it in July 2008 and it worked until about 6-8 months ago."


Morodiene,

What you describe is a common frustration of audio interfaces...whether it's the barebones Edirol or a unit costing several hundred dollars. You never know when it's going to fry. You never know when or what compatibility issues are clouding its performance either. However, when these things work they produce a superior signal to almost all the flash recorders. The EMU 0404 (that someone mentioned) at around $200 has good sound quality and a better than average lifespan.

Of the pocket flash recorders, someone mentioned the Zoom H2. It's handy enough as a sort of reference notebook. Someone else mentioned the Microtrack. I've used that one a lot, both generation models. It has good enough record-level metering, phantom mike capability, full size jacks for easy line out-line in connection from your Roland if you want to go that route, and best of all, the dinky little snap-in stereo T-mike that is included works amazingly well. That's important because external mikes can cost 10 times the price of the flash recorder itself.

The only real downside is the proprietary battery which will fail within a couple of years and need to be replaced at the factory. That's a nuisance since they charge about $85 to swap it out. The second generation Microtrack II has a limiter which curbs distortion but also compresses the dynamic range, kind of a mixed blessing so I won't call it a drawback.

What Chris A said is true about post-processing, but personally I draw the line at patching together bits and pieces of different takes to arrive at a finished product. If it has to be good, I'd rather keep doing it till it's right.

If you want to check out the various features of these handy little gizmos, this link is as good a place as any. Please note that street prices are way lower than the prices listed in the chart. The Microtrack II which is listed at $499 is routinely available on Amazon for $175 or less.

The best of the bunch is the Sony PCM D-50, but it's hard to find one at under $450 and it simply ain't good enough to warrant that price.

http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/audio/portable-recorder-comparison/

You make some good points, Turandot. I do wonder if it's worth purchasing a usb interface that will eventually fail. And with the microtrack, I'd really not want to lose dynamic range. Something that concerns me about all the handheld devices it the ability to edit. I do this even for my students, and I know that professionals will sometimes record one measure at a time in several takes in professional studios even though they can play the whole thing flawlessly. So, I make no qualms about doing a recording all in one take. So with all the handhelds, I do wonder is there a way to then transfer that to the computer easily for editing in something like Reaper or Sound Forge?

I used to use a Sony Mini disc and that thing was pretty much impossible to get onto the PC. I ended up having to play it back via the headphone jack directly into the mic jack on the PC and record in realtime. Such a pain! So, I'd be looking for something that woudl make this easy.

That's an interesting chart, and I'm going to investigate that along with the other possibilities. The multitrack recorder looks very interesting at this point.

**edited to add: It looks like the Zoom H4 can also be used as a USB interface! Hmmm....

Morodiene,

With the Microtrack II and Zoom, you should be able to easily import the .wav files Reaper or Soundforge.

Well, after reading reviews, I decided on the Zoom H4. Got a good deal for $233 with free shipping. What pushed it over the edge for me was that it can record in high def if I want to do that, has XLR and 1/4" inputs in case I want to use my own mic, it's portable for live recordings without having to drag around a separate mic, laptop, etc.

The mutlitrack unit by Tascam was nice and had some of those features, but it didn't have XLR inputs (not a huge deal since you can get XLR to 1/4" cables), couldn't record in high-def, and also couldn't record as mp3.

I was also considering a higher end usb interface, but then I wouldn't be able to easily do live recordings at a concert. Also, I'm a bit gun shy about spending that kind of money on something that has a high chance of breaking. I know it's not a lot of money relatively speaking, but I do like to buy something only *once*.

Thanks for all your input everyone! It was very helpful and there were some things mentioned here that I hadn't even considered before.