Need a new audio interface.....

[Dimebag11]

In the market for a new USB 2.0 audio interface to replace my M-Audio Fast Track Pro. As long as it has 2 inputs + MIDI I'm good. Strictly using for guitar, bass, vox. Everything else is MIDI. What would you guys suggest for PC? Focusrite? Presonus? Gotta keep it under $500 for sure.

 

[PBGas]

Some kind of Focusrite product......like a Scarlett with the SPDIF for your Kemper will do nicely!

 

[Dimebag11]

I've never even used SPDIF. How would that work w Kemper. Right now I just have the monitor out from the Kemper into one of the M-Audio inputs.

 

[Dimebag11]

Damn....have I been recording this thing all wrong (lower quality)?

Someone break this down for me lol

 

[benduncan]

Roland quad capture. Though I haven't used it first hand, I currently own and highly recommend the "octa" version. Good sounding pres, to my ears. And the auto sense gain adjustment comes in handy when you're using more than one input. I use at least two mics at a time on my cab. It saves me a lot of hassle when I'm adjusting things on my amp, trying to get a sound. Instead if having to adjust two or more individual gains every couple of minutes, I just hit one button. Not sure if other interfaces have that, but I that's one if my favorite features. I believe they go for around $260 or $270 and are midi capable

 

[benduncan]

Damn....have I been recording this thing all wrong (lower quality)?

Someone break this down for me lol

As far as I know, spdiff isn't necessarily better or worse as far as audio quality goes. It just means that your sound card would be doing the D/A conversion. It could be faster(or slower), I'm not an expert, hopefully someone will chime in about the benefits

And the quad capture has spdiff

 

[Dimebag11]

Sweet suggestion Benduncan! I'm going to go with the quad capture. Apparently it's in the same league as RME and arguably better than Focusrite. Worth $260!

 

[benduncan]

Sweet suggestion Benduncan! I'm going to go with the quad capture. Apparently it's in the same league as RME and arguably better than Focusrite. Worth $260!

 

[PBGas]

I've never even used SPDIF. How would that work w Kemper. Right now I just have the monitor out from the Kemper into one of the M-Audio inputs.

I don't use the SPDIF either but you can re-amp if you want to very easily with it. You are basically digitally transferring the sound to your DAW. I have the option on my interface to do this as well. Check the Kemper forums for more info in this. Lots of folks doing it this way.

Quad capture is a decent unit. I wouldn't put it in a league near RME though.

 

[sixstringking713]

I cannot say enough good things about my focusrite 18i20.

 

[nigelpkay]

I never use SPDIF, it's more trouble then it's worth. Had it on Presonus Firebox, and there was always weird latency issues, sync issues with the host, volume level issues, and to be honest I thought it sounded worse on my Kemper.

 

[Sierra Voodoo]

I just got the TASCAM US-144MKII on a "Stupid Deal of the Day" sale at MF for $49.00 shipped. Not sure if they will run the sale again but I think it will fit your described needs. I haven't received it yet so I can't give you my thoughts and impressions yet.
http://tascam.com/product/us-144mkii/

 

[robertkoa]

When I start recording again I would love to have something in the league of RME with fewer inputs but beefy clear, warm sound ?

Is the Roland really that good ?

 

[Shask]

I have a Presonus 22VSL. It has worked well for me....

 

[Dimebag11]

Everything I've heard and read about the Roland is positive. Equal or better than Focusrite, small step down from RME maybe.

 

[craftm1]

M-Audio Delta 1010LT. You never need any thing else!

 

[ibenhad]

For under $500 you could get the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 that IMHO is awesome. Great pre-amps and lots of inputs/outputs. I hooked up a Behringer 8 input ADA 8000 to get 8 additional inputs for drums. This unit does everything I need. Just make sure you get a TI chipset on your Firewire interface. I also had issues with mine and Windows 8 but it may have been my FW interface. Windows 7 is rock solid.

 

[Mark I]

Hi,
Just here to share my experience, I just sent back my Roland Quand Capture because I was unsatisfied with it concerning the sound "transparency" or "faithfullness" call it as you wish.
I only record my guitar using inputs, (spdif for this one) I don't use any mics.
The pres seemed good because what i heard in direct monitoring sounded ok to me but once converted the signal was really altered and with a high gain guitar sound I noticed a frequency peak at 128Hz wich bothered me a lot.

 

[Dimebag11]

I ended up with a UR824. Love it. Wish it had coax spdif though

 

[Rexxyboy]

Go Focusrite, or Steinberg, i would steer clear of Roland/Edirol, i use RME but its not under $500.