Need advice for basic home PC recording

jippy · #1 04-28-2004, 01:16 PM

Well, since the kids are taking up a lot more of my time, I've sold my nice tube amp and cab. I'll be going the Line6 Flextone 3 route, but I'd like to record into my PC. I have a brand new Dell PC running Windows XP. Can anyone make recommendation about a good MIDI/USB interface for my Line 6? Also, my brother-in-law has been using Sonor products for years, but he mainly records electronic music. I'm VERY unfamilar with recording software differences. Any input would be greatly appreciated

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sry777 · #2 05-19-2004, 02:36 AM

giving us a good idea of what your computer has inside (ram, hard drive) might be a good start

Artist · #3 05-19-2004, 08:36 AM

I'd strongly recommend NOT getting a USB interface.

IMO Either get an M-Audio Firewire Audiophile or Firewire 410. Depending on which suits your needs more.

That's if you are dead set on getting an external interface. Otherwise take a look at the M-Audio Delta 44/66/Omni studio (again depending on your needs.

I find PCI cards to be superior to both USB and Firewire.

If those even have too many inputs for your needs, check out the M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496.
That has 2 RCA (phono) ins,
2 RCA outs
S/PDIF In + Out
Midi In + Out

keithb · #4 05-19-2004, 10:38 AM

I'm also looking at getting an audio/MIDI interface.

Artist, in what way do you find PCI cards superior? Which USB interface(s) do you have experience with?

Thanks!

Artist · #5 05-19-2004, 06:37 PM

PCI interfaces have the fastest data speeds handsdown.
They don't require an external powersource (I know some USB devices don't either, but then the sound quality can suffer), which means they heat up and you can't use them for extensive amounts of time (say leaving your computer on with them with music on while you sleep or all day when downloading).

I currently have the USB Audiophile. Problems with :

Overheating if computer + it are left on for rather long amount of time (not a problem for everyone)
(Keeping this on a stone surface instead of my MDF desk has reduced this a lot)
Sometimes when I've just booted it up and the computer the sound is extremely grated and means I have to restart the audiophile, which can occasionally crash the machine.

Latency, USB has more higher latency than Firewire / PCI. After the units been on for a long time, I get about 500ms of latency, which is v.annoying when recording.

USB has a v.limited bandwidth. If you want to record at anything higher than 48/24 you can only have sound in, and not sound out (can't hear it to get a level!). If you want to go higher than that you are reduced to just one line of sound in.
This applies to playback at high levels aswell.

I wish I knew all these before I bought one.

Only advantage is that I can use it on my dads old laptop that only has usb and no firewire.

Don't get a USB device. The only situation to possibly consider one is if you are __Desperate__ for protools and just must have the MBox. But even then, it's pricey.

Two hands31 · #6 05-19-2004, 07:49 PM

I have a Tascam US-122, works great, comes with beginner software to use until you figure out what you want (Cubase VST, but with only 8 tracks and a few effects available). It's USB and I haven't had a single problem with it, and I'm running it on a laptop

Artist · #7 05-20-2004, 10:55 AM

Yeah the tascam has gotten better reviews than the audiophile.

But look at the stats of USB against FW or PCI.

Put it this way, is it worth the hassle of possibly having to return it.

Edit : Read this, this guy seriously knows his stuff.

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards...ome_studio.htm

jippy · #8 05-26-2004, 01:30 AM

Well, I picked up the US-122. So far, so good. I'm starting from absolute scratch here, so at least it's better than what I had. I still have 3 weeks to decide if I want to keep it, so I want to try using it as much as possible in that timeframe. I'm currently running Windows XP with a Dell PC, Pentiem 4 processer, 256MB ram. I guess the real test wil be latency when mixing tracks.

Two hands31 · #9 05-26-2004, 02:46 AM

I've had no latency problems or anything like that. And I'm not running a super-high powered computer here, it's a laptop with 400-something meg of Ram, 60-gig harddrive, and a Pentium something (Celeron?) 2.0 gHz.

Artist · #10 05-26-2004, 10:31 AM

Two Hands, are you doing mostly simplish pieces (as in computer power required, not musically). Like 5-6 tracks, mostly live?

I do a lot of stuff with 10+ Midi controlled sample tracks and 5+ Audio tracks. Maybe our circumstances are different.

I find recording with any latency very annoying as it means adjusting the start point every time.