Producers/Recording artists help me compare these interfaces

[maddnotez]

Ok, so this will have two parts.

part 1:

Which of these would you get and why, (which is better!?!!?)

alesis i04

lexicon lambda

m audio m track

line 6 pod studio GX


part 2:

I can get any of the above for free. However Im guessing they are all junk?

I have been looking at getting a used TC impact twin used for $200 or so.

Would you pay the $200 for the TC or get one of the above for free?? Money is in fact tight but Id rather save and splurge than to end up with a crap sound.


Thanks

 

[NinjaRaf]

I think Devin has the Lexicon one, maybe? I dont think any of those choices are going to be terrible, especially if they're free.

But, why not get one of the free ones until you can buy a better one? Personally, my focusrite 2i2 has been excellent, and it was only 150.

 

[maddnotez]

I think Devin has the Lexicon one, maybe? I dont think any of those choices are going to be terrible, especially if they're free.

But, why not get one of the free ones until you can buy a better one? Personally, my focusrite 2i2 has been excellent, and it was only 150.

That is a valid statement, kind of what I was thinking. I do not know much about these other than google and reviews. I have read that bad things about the Lexicon but that's just someone's opinion.

I am kind of interested in the Line 6 because I think it comes with pod farm which would be cool to tinker around with.

Im pretty sure the TC will destroy any of these.

But if it is not a complete night and day difference I may just go with one of the freebees. That's pretty much what I'm looking to find out for #2, will it be night and day difference?

 

[rokket2005]

It really depends on what you're going to need it for. I had a lambda for years, and I had some trouble with synching, latency and such, which any usb 1.1 interface is going to have. The pres on it are crap too, and thats really what you should be looking the most at when considering an interface. The ones you listed are all older and really outdated, especially since they all still sell pretty much at the same price they were brought to market at. I also have a 2i2, and the pres are nice enough, though there isn't a pad on either pre, which sucks if you are using super hot condensers. Not a huge deal for me anymore since I use an external pre and use the line in setting. The newer 2i4 has pad's and midi connectivity if you need it. Another thing is, do you want a usb or firewire interface? Firewire handles multiple tracks better, there are some nice usb 2.0 intrefaces though too if you aren't going to need more than 2 tracks recording at the same time. Focusrite, MotU, and Roland have some nice ones in the same price bracket as the TC. Presonus has a few that are ok, some that aren't, read some reviews and pick one that works for you.

 

[maddnotez]

Well I bought the TC..used for $180..

The free ones would have been free through points I have at work, so instead I cashed them in for $100 visa prepaid. So technically I just scored a TC for $80 depending on how you look at it.