For my next project I have decided to branch out a little bit. I am going to have solo parts from real instruments (and hardware synthesizers). However, I lack the recording capability. The only piece of recording equipment I have is a Zoom handheld recorder, which works great for soundscape and other ambient sound effects, but not so much if you need a backing track or if you're going to record straight into a DAW, or record from the output of a synth, so I am going to need a sound card.
I think it's going to have to be an external sound card, since I will be using it on different computers (and I'm too lazy to crack open my tower and install a PCI card). At the bare minimum, it will need the ability to record from 2 channels via 6.35mm jack cables, and should work with FL Studio. That's pretty much all I need.
So, any recommendations?
By external soundcard, you mean "recording interface"...right? Just check out Musician's Friend.
They should work with FL Studio and only require standard instrument cables. Some work with both instrument cables and microphone XLR cables.
I myself use PreSonus USB interfaces, which are pretty handy. If you have a firewire jack in your computer then even better, they make firewire versions that are nice and fast.
If it's the H4N from Zoom; you can hook it up to your PC and run it as an audio interface.
Other than that, I'd recommend any interface by Roland and Focusrite. I've had nothing but good experiences with those brands.
You could check out something like the Roland UA-55.
I've had its predecessor, the UA-25 EX, for about 2 to 3 years now, and I absolutely love it, and it works just as great as ever.
I've only just now began to reach the limits of this interface, which has more to do with me having built up a way too big collection of synths and other stuff that I'd love to have hooked up at the same time (you know, so I'm not switching out cables all the time), than the interface acting up or something.
The Presonus Audiobox looks good, and it's cheap. Probably getting that if I can't find anything better.
Just one last question (sorry if it's a stupid one, I've never used one of these things before), does audio interfaces output sound to the computer through USB?
I have the roland UA55. I couldn't recommend it highly enough - for the cost it's amazing. You only get two inputs and only one of those inputs has phantom power which is a bit of a hassle, but the signal to noise ratio is really, really great and the frequency response is quite flat. Comes with its own drivers too.
[QUOTE=killerteacup;40111289]I have the roland UA55. I couldn't recommend it highly enough - for the cost it's amazing. [B]You only get two inputs and only one of those inputs has phantom power which is a bit of a hassle[/B], but the signal to noise ratio is really, really great and the frequency response is quite flat. Comes with its own drivers too.[/QUOTE]
Woah, really? That's a step down from the UA-25 EX then, since that has phantom for both inputs.
Weird.
Hm. Odd. Maybe I'm wrong - I'll go test the second input when I get home. I do hope it is phantom.
[QUOTE=UnknownDude;40111074]The Presonus Audiobox looks good, and it's cheap. Probably getting that if I can't find anything better.
Just one last question (sorry if it's a stupid one, I've never used one of these things before), does audio interfaces output sound to the computer through USB?[/QUOTE]
Yes. Just have a free USB port available on the computer.
PreSonus makes damn good hardware, just make sure you download the Asio4All driver online. Google it, works with the audiobox perfectly.
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