USB Audio Interface recommendations

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USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Stakeout Punch » 01 Dec 2013 08:07

So for my birthday yesterday I got a great present: a totally destroyed headphone jack on my laptop. Now instead of getting one later, I'm looking for an AI now and have no idea what's good from bad. Please help me! (I suck at asking for help/advice...)

I'm looking for a relatively basic interface with only a few requirements.
  • must be portable
  • must be USB 2.0 or 3.0
  • must at least have a 3.5mm stereo out (a line in would be a bonus)
  • low latency (is latency even still an issue with current models?)
I'm not wanting to spend more than 100 USD, if that is even possible (I don't need anything fancy). Thanks in advance!
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby HMage » 01 Dec 2013 08:30

Just stay away from Behringer and rebranders like ASUS. Everything else is fine.
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby HMage » 01 Dec 2013 08:32

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... r-audio-2/ — 99$

I have this one, it's perfect for mobile composing and DJ'ing. Doesn't have input, though.
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Stakeout Punch » 01 Dec 2013 09:39

http://www.peavey.com/products/index.cf ... 7951/XPort
I'm currently looking at this, anyone have experience/feedback on it or similar models?
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby S.P.P » 01 Dec 2013 09:40

It might be a little pricier than you were hoping for (try bagging one on Amazon or eBay?), but my God does Focusrite know how to make an interface!

http://focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2

EDIT: I check out the Peavey link and I'm just gonna say:
If it doesn't list technical specs, do NOT buy it. That goes for anything. Not only can you not tell how good it is, but 99% of the time manufacturers will omit tech specs so consumers cannot look/compare and go "wow .. that's shit".

Never trust something with no specs listed. :3
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Injustrial » 01 Dec 2013 09:53

PYR3LIGHT wrote:It might be a little pricier than you were hoping for (try bagging one on Amazon or eBay?), but my God does Focusrite know how to make an interface!

http://focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2

EDIT: I check out the Peavey link and I'm just gonna say:
If it doesn't list technical specs, do NOT buy it. That goes for anything. Not only can you not tell how good it is, but 99% of the time manufacturers will omit tech specs so consumers cannot look/compare and go "wow .. that's shit".

Never trust something with no specs listed. :3


That's the exact same interface I've got! I paid about £120 for it in Norway, which should translate to about £100 in any other country. Amazon and Ebay probably does it even cheaper.

I love it! It's got the Direct Monitor option, 48v Phantom power for condenser mics, 2 inputs in front for both mics and jacks. And it's fast as hell! My effective total latency is about 12 ms (nothing) I can record vocals and guitars at the same time.

And it's red and sexy. Nuff said
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby S.P.P » 01 Dec 2013 09:55

Yup. The Scarlett 2i2 is probably just about the best semi-pro interface available, especially for the price. And for fully pro stuff Focusrite is still a company I would HIGHLY recommend. :p
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Injustrial » 01 Dec 2013 09:59

Mate of mine has this

http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-i ... lett-18i20

I'll destroy him...
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Conduit » 01 Dec 2013 20:03

I've never heard any bad things about the Scarlett 2i2, but I use this and love it to death. It was pretty cheap too from what I remember.
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Injustrial » 01 Dec 2013 20:21

Conduit wrote:I've never heard any bad things about the Scarlett 2i2, but I use this and love it to death. It was pretty cheap too from what I remember.


I think I saw these at about $200 in the store last time I visited. The fact that it comes with the option for Hardware effects is pretty dang awesome
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby HMage » 01 Dec 2013 20:26

200$ is twice the stated budget.
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Conduit » 01 Dec 2013 20:32

HMage wrote:200$ is twice the stated budget.


Your right, and I accidentally posted the wrong one, I have one of these. I just figured the one I linked was a newer version. I think it cost somewhere between $80 and $120 when I got it, though I'm sure used ones could be found for cheaper.

EDIT: I must have found it on sale, because everywhere I've checked online has them for around $150
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Stakeout Punch » 01 Dec 2013 20:42

I looked on eBay and a Tascam US-322 caught my eye. I know this is a dumb question seeing the listed specs, but if I can snag one for cheap would it be worth it? Anyone have horror stories?

Conduit wrote:I must have found it on sale, because everywhere I've checked online has them for around $150

I'm pretty much resigned to hunting ebay and Craigslist at this point, I saw a few of those used.

Not having a working jack is driving me insane... Of course now that my jack is broken I want to work on music.
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Acsii » 05 Dec 2013 03:36

When it comes to USB interfaces I find focus rite have the best and they are also fairly cheap... although most audio interfaces do not have a 3.5mm jack as this is not the standard for music professionals to have... we use the standard ¼" jack or '6.5mm'.
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Acsii » 05 Dec 2013 04:19

judging from it though their headphones don't... and I know that the interface doesn't come with one
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Stakeout Punch » 05 Dec 2013 07:11

I ended up finding a Tascam US-144 MK II off craigslist for $50. So far it seems really solid. Many thanks to everyone that chimed in!

I have adapters, my Sennheisers came with a set.
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby S.P.P » 05 Dec 2013 17:25

Acsii wrote:When it comes to USB interfaces I find focus rite have the best and they are also fairly cheap... although most audio interfaces do not have a 3.5mm jack as this is not the standard for music professionals to have... we use the standard ¼" jack or '6.5mm'.

I'm gonna go ahead and assume that Stakeout is not working in a professional environment, as most of us here aren't. If we went with the Liquid Saffire or something, then yeah he might have a problem - even though jack adapters are a thing .. :3
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Injustrial » 06 Dec 2013 11:00

stakeout poni wrote:I ended up finding a Tascam US-144 MK II off craigslist for $50. So far it seems really solid. Many thanks to everyone that chimed in!

I have adapters, my Sennheisers came with a set.


$50?!! That's a steal! Let's hope the seller didn't dupe you into buying something broken
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Stakeout Punch » 06 Dec 2013 22:59

Nope! It is 100% functional! It even came in the original packaging with the original manuals and driver CDs (which I ignored XD).
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Injustrial » 06 Dec 2013 23:15

You are a lucky son of a gun!
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Re: USB Audio Interface recommendations

Postby Stakeout Punch » 07 Dec 2013 00:16

Oh I know! I couldn't be happier with this thing. The only part missing was the original USB cable but I mean I only have about 20 extras so it wasn't a problem. Eventually I will probably get a shorter (under a foot) cable just so i don't have to wrap up the cord/deal with the zip-tied section (the shortest USB cable I had with the right ends is ~4 feet long).
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