Questions about what audio hardware to buy?

> > > Questions about what audio hardware to buy?

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Member Since: Oct 21, 2007

Hi,
I’m completely new at home recording, so please bear with me.
I’m using Audacity to record a guitar which is plugged directly in my laptop (line in). The results as you can imagine are not very good. Furthermore there is a terrible latency when I record the second channel, even though “Software Playthrough” is unchecked and only “Play other tracks while recording new one” is checked in Audacity preferences.
I want to buy an audio recording interface and I’ve narrowed down my choices to the following 3:
E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface
Tascam US122L USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface
Line 6 TonePort UX1 USB Recording/Modeling Interface
I like the E-MU 0404 because it comes with a nice software recording bundle (Cakewalk SONAR LE, Steinberg's Cubase LE, WaveLab Lite, etc.), the Tascam comes with Steinberg's Cubase LE as well, and the TonePort has a nice set of vocal and guitar pre-amps, but doesn’t come with recording software.
My questions are the following:
Would any of the 3 audio interfaces above solve the latency problem I’m having with Audacity or does the combination between quality recording software like SONAR LE or Cubase LE and the audio hardware solves this?
If I buy the TonePort, would I be able to record without latency with Audacity?
Which of the 3 audio recording solutions would you recommend for a newbie?



Thanks in advance,

Peter

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Oct 21, 2007 10:42 am

Of those three I'd go with the TonePort and download the freely usable "Reaper" software for recording. www.reaper.fm/ or Kristal Audio Engine www.kreatives.org/kristal/

Welcome to HRC.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006

Oct 21, 2007 11:43 am

To be fair, Toneport's are very popular around here :)

All will solve your latency problem.

I have a Toneport and used to own a Tascam., they are somewhat different beasts. The Toneport is a solid interface that provides all the guitar, bass and vocal amp modeling your heart could desire. I personally would go with the UX2 because you're gonna want that second input one day.

Tascam is more bare bones but does have a MIDI interface if that is useful to you, it requires less PC to run and comes with the software

I am not an expert on the E-MU but I believe it is similar to the Tascam

For software Reaper or Kristal would be great to use, your not going to need all the extra features of those other packages and they might just serve to confuse you.

If you need MIDI then I think Reaper does it but Kristal not.

I think in the end it comes down to 2 questions

1) Do you want all the Toneport modeling
2) Do you need MIDI

Also make sure that your PC is up to running the Gearbox software with the Toneport and any other software you buy

Member
Since: Oct 21, 2007

Oct 21, 2007 07:56 pm

Thanks,

I think I'll get the TonePort and use Reaper or Kristal.

I have more questions though.

I have Dell e1705 laptop (known also as Dell 9400) and the sound card is Sigmatel high definition audio codec.
How do I check if the driver for my card is an ASIO driver?

I looked at the 3 versions of TonePort (GX, UX1 and UX2) and the only difference I see is the number of inputs/outputs.
Is there any benefit of using XLR input for microphone (I'm guessing this input is meant for mics) over 1/4" input?
Are there any other differences between the 3 models that I'm missing?



Thanks the help!

Peter

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Oct 21, 2007 08:06 pm

The XLR inputs will allow you to use a condendser mic which uses 48v phantom power. A 1/4" jack does not allow that.

The main difference between the UX-1 and UX-2 are the number input jacks. The 1 has only a single 1/4" and single XLR while the UX-2 has a pair of each. And the UX-2 also has a couple other input/output options as well.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006

Oct 21, 2007 09:18 pm

There is also the KB37 Toneport with a built in keyboard.

Your PC soundcard is irrelevant, the Toneport (or Tascame or E-MU) acts as the soundcard when you're using it. I have a very similar laptop.

Don't go with the GX, you need those line and mic in's. I still recommend the UX2 because one day you're gonna want those two inputs.

Member
Since: Oct 21, 2007

Oct 21, 2007 09:45 pm

Thanks,

I'm really getting confused here, because here is the answer I got on a different recording message board:

"Virtually no onboard sound card uses ASIO. What I'm saying is check out your prospective sound cards and see if they support ASIO. If they do, then they'll be low latency."

Does this sounds like advise to buy a sound card that supports ASIO as well?



Thanks,

Peter

The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005

Oct 21, 2007 10:21 pm

Yes, it is. all the recording interfaces you mentioned support ASIO.


Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004

Oct 22, 2007 04:53 am

kenneth is right, an when you buy an interface, you pretty much render your onboard soundcard useless....you won't need it anymore. all audio can be routed through the interface.

btw, good teamwork there guys!

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Oct 22, 2007 06:02 am

Actually, there is the ASIO4ALL project www.asio4all.com that makes a generic ASIO driver to cover onboard, generic sound devices, for some it has worked great, for others, not so much.

So stop checking other forums, they all suck but this one :-)

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006

Oct 22, 2007 10:07 am

DB now you're confusing him :)

You don't need your internal soundcard when you are using the interface. All the interfaces use ASIO and you use them to record and listen. You can use them all the time or just when recording. If you take the laptop out on the road somewhere you can still use the internal soundcard for playback.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Oct 22, 2007 10:54 am

Yeah, you're right, I prolly just should have shut up on that, with any of the devices he is talking about, his internal is meaningless anyway, and they are all far better than any internal.

My bad, I'll shut up now.

Member
Since: Oct 21, 2007

Oct 22, 2007 05:28 pm

Thanks guys!

You all have been very helpful. I'll be back with more questions for sure :).



Peter

Member
Since: Oct 21, 2007

Oct 25, 2007 08:38 pm

I've researched more recording options and I really liked the Tascam DP01 8-Track Hard Disk Recorder.

What do you think of it, and would that be a better choice compared to buying audio recording interface like TonePort or US122L?




Thanks,

Peter

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006

Oct 25, 2007 09:09 pm

No one can answer that question but you. Standalone recorders are totally different, less flexible, less features, less options but are perfect for some.

Me, I like the visual nature of PC recording, others I know prefer to focus on the simple tracking and features of a standalone.

My, mostly opinion based, experience is that the low price Tascam standalone's are not that good, poor quality preamps and effects but I have no firsthand experience.

> > > Questions about what audio hardware to buy?

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