What recording audio interface do you use and why?

[yairhol]

Hi,
Since there is the sticky thread called: what recording software do you use and why, I'd like to start a thread on the (usually beginner's) audio interfaces which come bundled with software. I think beginners like me can really learn a lot on these packages and decide which suits our needs the most.
So which do you use? Digidesign MBox 2, EMU 1616M, TC ELECTRONICS KONNEKT, TASCAM FW-...

I hope to get as many people as possible involved in order to set up a large enough data base of opinions.

Regards,
Yair

[brandondrury]

Alright dogface, let's do it!

I'll sticky this, if I can.

I need to point out a few things.

1. Everyone has drastically different needs
2. There is extremely little sound quality different from audio interface to audio interface

Disclaimer
This topic is going to be VERY subjective. While I know this info can be valuable, just remember that choosing an audio interface is about meeting your needs. If someone convinces you that you need X audio interface, make sure your needs are consistent with that person.

If you don't know your needs.
Check out the Home Recording Soundcard Wizard. It's designed to spit out a list of all audio interfaces that meet your needs.

Audio Interface Reviews
Also, I have a section for reviewing your audio interface. If you have an audio interface, tell us about it here: Audio Interface Reviews.

Brandon

[brandondrury]

M-Audio Delta 1010

See my full review of the M-Audio Delta 1010

I bought 2 of them in 2001. They were the best bang for the buck at the time. I bought them because I wanted to record live bands. 16 simultaneous inputs would do it. If I was in that situation now, I'd probably go with 2 Presonus Firepods or equivalent.

The Delta 1010s have worked flawlessly for years. The only thing I don't like about them is they are not Firewire. I can't use them with a laptop. I've been asked to do remote gigs and hauling a full blown computer is unacceptable in most of these situations.

Other than that, I think the Delta 1010 is a great piece of gear. I thought mine sucked for years. Then I dumped $2400 on Mytek converters. None of my clients noticed an improvement.

Brandon

[Earthworm]

Motu Traveler

[richiebee]

Tascam US122.

When I bought it, there wasn't a whole lot of choice in the budget market (it's 4 or 5 years old now). It did what I needed to, and still does (mostly). It's reliable and doesn't crap out on me.

I've recently changed to a MOTU Ultralite specifically for a surround sound project I'm working on (it has multiple outs which my US122 doesn't), but I'm finding it to be a big pain in the ass. Looking forward to getting my US122 back.

One day I'll upgrade permanently, but not til I find something that does a better job for what I need than the US122.

[DT Chris]

FastTrack USB

Why?
1) I'm cheap ass
2) Wanted to learn how to record sources correctly first, gain experience with my software and learn it, experiment before I invested more money
3) Good enough for my current purpose. Once I outgrow it, I will know it (which is pretty soon) and I will purchase the next interface to serve my needs

[Charlie_M]

What I use:

interface: 002 rack

software:
protools LE 7.3.
reason 3.0 (for midi - I only really ever use it for drums in recordings but it is sometimes nice to pull it up on the laptop and use the virtual instruments to rough out an idea)

Overall I think it's pretty good, but really don't have much to compare it to.

Why I chose this:

My cousin knows protools and she offered to help me get up the learning curve with that. She helped me get at least to a point where I could basically function. I would say that was the primary consideration and it worked out well. It was between the 002 and a presonus box (can't remember which one now) that was a few hundred less. I'm sure either one would've been fine but really for me getting to a point where I could basically function and to be able to e-mail my cousin with "how to do x?" questions from time to time has been really helpful.

Only thing I don't like about it is that I can't launch my software without the hardware unit connected. I think that's pretty lame ass and I think digi knows it (they're reportedly working on some potential solutions).

[siski]

Focusrite Saffire LE

I used Brandons Sound Card Wiz and just read some reviews of the cards on offer.

I'm pretty happy with it as it does exactly what I want which is to track one instrument/vocal at a time. It also came with a bunch of software stuff that I have found usefull.

Si

[mimivogue]

i have a Tascam US428 and Cubase SX - my pc has 2g of ram and dual core processors. My pc has a soundblaster card. I hear that Soundblaster cards are useless for recording but thought my Tascam US428 was a sort of soundcard in itself.

Do I need a better sound card even if I have a US428?

Haven't really got started yet - so technical!!

[Jroye82]

I have a digi 003 rack to a MOTU 8pre via ADAT light pipe


why? I like pro tools. It has all the possible i/o I could need. It works. It sounds good. Its the brain of my studio.