USB audio interface suggestions?

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 2 Jan 2007 9:39 am

i'm looking for a simple USB I/O for a stereo pair... any reccomendations?

so far likely candidates are:
Edirol UA-1EX
M-Audio Transit USB

any other inexpensive options?

I just want to get from my mixer into my Macs and back

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 2 Jan 2007 11:42 am

Dave..about 10 posts down the Behringer will do what you need $30.00...Stu

Steve Robinson · Post by **Steve Robinson** » 2 Jan 2007 11:42 am

I like the Behringer UCA202 (don't get the 200 - no headphone jack). Simple, cheap, works.

Will Holtz · Post by **Will Holtz** » 2 Jan 2007 12:24 pm

A used Tascam US-122 will do the trick and can be found for quite cheap.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 2 Jan 2007 12:36 pm

on older and used units I am concerned about the OS level compatibility... need it to work with OS X.4 on a mac with intel processor....
also on the behringer, any thoughts on OS X compatibility?

Will Holtz · Post by **Will Holtz** » 2 Jan 2007 12:40 pm

Dave Van Allen wrote:need it to work with OS X.4 on a mac with intel processor....

This driver should get a US-122 working on your machine.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 2 Jan 2007 12:58 pm

looked up the specs and the Tascam does MIDI as well?! interesting... thanks for the heads up and the link.

I'm gonna try out a behrenger 'cause the price is rediculous, but having both audio/MIDI together would be cool

Will Holtz · Post by **Will Holtz** » 2 Jan 2007 1:13 pm

The Behringer unit only does 16 bit recording. I'd recommend getting something that does 24 bits. You'll have much more headroom to work with

Steven Cherson · Post by **Steven Cherson** » 2 Jan 2007 2:21 pm

Dave, I use an Apogee Mini-Me, has bit rate up to 24/96 will do auto conversion to 16/44.1 for the drive in the Mac. Supports core audio, does not need asio drivers.

You should not skimp on cables. I use Zaolla 1/4" - RCA

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 2 Jan 2007 7:09 pm

thnks steven- The price tag on the apogee is a bit more than I was intending to spend for bedroom recording

but it's good to know such nice things exist

Mark Butcher · Post by **Mark Butcher** » 3 Jan 2007 5:56 am

Why not use your macs audio inputs connected to aux outs on your mixer. Cost nil.

Mark

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 3 Jan 2007 8:28 am

I have been doing that on the desktop mac but besides the intel mini I also have an iBook with no audio input jack, just a headphone jack on it. expanding the options of portability...

Mark Butcher · Post by **Mark Butcher** » 3 Jan 2007 8:54 am

You could use an iMic by Griffin. Cheap small easy. I have been being told I needed expensive hardware since the Audiomedia card in 87. I heard no discernable difference in the audio quality with that then and the Mac's on board sounds fine now too. If I recorded for a living I would have a Pro Tools rig but for home recording I don't need it. I fancy a Zoom H4 mind you, that looks handy.

Mark

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 4 Jan 2007 7:52 pm

I use a Tascam US122, I tried some of the M-Audio boxes and didn't like them nearly as much as the Tascam. The Tascam also comes with Cubasis recording software, and GIGA studio synth software.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 12 Jan 2007 9:20 am

well I got the Behrenger box... it seems to work as advertised and is meeting my needs for now... it's a cheap piece of crap (the stick-on label on the front is peeilng up already just from sitting on the desk) but it is doing the job. I even was able to patch it in to my phonograph/tuner setup and record some of my vinyl into the iBook. I haven't tried tracking any steel yet. We'll see how that goes.

if I need to get more exotic I would spend a bit more money on probably a Tascam unit...

I am at this point just relying on it for home "bedroom studio", my own demos and not as a pro recording device.

I have a pal who produces Jingles who has a PT rig if I want to get serious

thanks for the advice folks-
we can close this if you want... or not