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Hi,

This have been discussed before but I was wondering what external soundcard USB device would you recommend for recording purposes? I will be recording digital piano with LINE IN and perhaps MIDI + vocals with microphone. So I guess I need no more than 2 channel recording device?

I was trying to get EMU 0404 USB , but it's out of stock. Maybe there's something similar? Thanks.

Depending on your budget, I recently got very interested in the Motu Audio Express, seems incredibly versatile for both recording and even live events. Its a bit on the expensive side, but I'm quite sure the quality is excellent (as most MOTU products are IMHO).

What was your aim budget?
Rafa.

I like the Presonus "audiobox". I have another of their products and audiobox is closer to you needs. All of the top brands are good Presonus, MOTU, Focusrite and so on.

Make sure the controls are in the place you like. I wanted all of them on the front so I can stack stuff

The other thing to look for is that the box can work without a driver. I don't even know if this is possible in a Windows based PC (I think Windows always needs special audio drivers??) but on a Mac no driver helps a lot because it means when the OS is updated you will not have to wait and hope there is an updated driver for the new OS version.

A built in MIDI interface helps too, reduces the number od cables and may times is required to avoid a ground loop if you have both MIDI and audio cables to the piano.

Make sure there is a good headphone mixer. You want to hear yourself but also many people want to be able to play over a guide track they hear in the headphones. and YES it has to be a mixer in the interface. if you turn around the sound in software for monitorring you will get some latency. Must of them advertize this feature as "zero latency monitoring".

I think most audio interfaces that are sold in the music stores have all of this.

Thanks for your comments!

My budget is as low as possible at this point (I'm thinking something in between of 100-150 EUR for soundcard/box interface), but I want relatively quality sound. I'm basically building my "home studio" from scratch.

Presonus looks like it could do the job and it's not too pricey. My available computers at the moment are Windows XP destkop computer (not too capable) and Windows 7 laptop that I'm thinking to use.

I also saw something similar perhaps - Tascam US-122L . How does it compare to presonus I wonder.

I think MOTA nowadays have more budget soundcards. I personally love my Focusrite LE. It's over your budget I think.. just slightly... Very good sound quality as well. Presonus I'm less of a fan off. Slightly more noise. However, can't indeed complain about the price.

Absolutely no fan of the budget Tascam products... It doesn't have the clarity the others have. The preamps/convertors in the Tascam aren't too fancy.

It's very hard to judge soundcards though...specs don't say all.

Make sure you get into the IO convertors a bit, and see what's best for the price.

Why IO convertors are important? Well, I probably will Google it.

Does Presonus makes noise with recording or playback or both? Of course it would be great if I could make professional records with my equipment, but mainly for now I want to make quality demo records. For mic I will get Shure SM58 (do I need amp for it also or it will go just straight with soundbox?hmm).

Also, where exactly I put line out from DP on Presonus. In Instrument imput or?

@E03

Hi there. I am using the Focusrite Saffire 6 USB which is on sale for around 150 Euros. It has excellent sound quality. The mic input preamp is really good as well and can do justice to studio quality microphones. It has also been very reliable.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_saffire_6_usb.htm

Good luck with your purchase.

Seems like FS 6 USB has way too many inputs/outputs for my needs. Also it looks like Pres.audiobox is USB 1.0 and not 2.0. Does it really makes a noticeable difference?

And now I see there's EMU 0204 in stock: http://www.thomann.de/gb/emu_0204_usb.htm I wonder does it handle DP line in/out + mic + headphones at the same time. I guess it can.

Is it important to be able to record piano sound in stereo? Is there a meaningful difference or are there any other ways how to add stereo to mono recording?

Going to the first post.

If you want to record a piano in stereo and at the same time vocals you need at least 3 channels

In that case I will recommend you something different.

Why don't you get multichannel usb mixer that may work for events ?

Multichannel means you can record in your computer the different channels separately

Hi,

Just to let you know - I went with Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 that has 4 line level inputs. So far I have used it as a sound card and have tested with microphone and it works fine (even on the not too powerful PC).

mac or pc ?

You'd need at least three. "Line out" has both a left and right channel and the mic adds one more. Or you'd be forced to MIDI if you included vocals. I think the best way to record a DP is both. Record both MIDI and Line-Out at the same time. It only takes a few extra mouse clicks. Both have advantages and it cost nothing to do both. It's easy to find a box with 4 inputs and 2 mic preamps.

I have Presonus Firewire interface, it's maybe to expensive to recommend or your use. Their portable "fire studio" is about $250, I think

One big thing to look at a device drivers. The best USB interfaces do not require user installed drivers. If the device is "class compliant" it can use the driver that is built into the OS. This becomes a big deal if the OS is updated and you have to wait for new drivers and hope someday they will be available. No needing them is great. Even Windows supports this now.

Also make sure the interface has phantom power so you can use a condenser mic. Some low-end boxes lack this.

PC , but it works with Mac too I think.