Watching this thread really closely (https://www.looperman.com/forum/thread/180280/how-do-i-connect-electric-guitar-to-laptop) as I too need advice on recording guitar & bass (and midi lol) more clearly then I can at present. Just about to update me PC to much more processing power, better sound card and all that happy stuff, but I am still unsure about audio interfaces. At the present I go straight in to the PC with variable results that often take ages to put right. I would wish advice & tips on the following questions please. I am now on a quite strict budget so I am very intrested in posters suggestions of the Tascam equipment (thanx to PJB & Tumbleweed for giving the heads up on it). I am looking at getting a MK144. So here goes me queries for guitar, bass & midi recording.
1/ Will I be able to record via my amp (setting it with effects etc I want) or will I have to go staright into the PC then use any DAW software?
2/ Will it work for guitar, midi & bass? At present I use Magix, Audacity, FL11 and am trying to conquer Ableton & Reaper.
3/ What file formats will save to allow me to work in different DAWS?
4/ Is it worth spending a little more to get a slightly better version?
5/ Are there any other AI that are similar price but knock spots off Tascam?
6/ Will I be able to record then play back & overdub using the AI? This is important as it will only be be me recording one insrument at a time but because of this playback & overdub are vital.
7/ Is it fairly easy to learn & use? Yup I can be a bit new gadget phobic from time to time.
Now many of you peeps are so much more in the know so any advice & help & tips would be greatly appreciated before I go and spend me hard earned readies (whats left of it lol) on a piece of kit that may not be of much use to me. Thanx in advance.
Peace, Love, Justice & Respect.
Vis . . . .
Hi Vis...I just wrote a kind of long answer to this but it disapppeared when I hit post........anyway...Dont sweat it...as long as you get one with the inputs/outputs you need they all work just fine & will be a major improvement over the way you are doing it now....
I think the MK144 is a fairly old model (around 2007) so I would be concerned about it having drivers that would work with newer pc operating systems......
To avoid a too long answer again...my suggestion...go for whatever make is within your budget new or used..and look for 2 mic or mic/line combo inputs (in case you want to record with 2 mics in stereo etc) when you stick them in front of your amp or any acoustic noise making stuff....or if not combo inputs you would need 2 mic & 2 line (ie: 1/4" guitar type) plus a midi input if you have a hardware synth you want to use as a controller as well as getting the audio in.... (if you use controller keyboard(s) they just plug into your pc with USB)....Your monitors and/or headphones just plug into the interface.......
Everyone will tell you their fav ..but I have found all the major brands work just fine (been using various since day 1)....MAudio, Focusrite, Roland, Presonus, etc etc.....
Vis..why dont you check around localy or online & contact me if you see something of interest..I will send my email address & get back to you with any help I can give....Ed
I used the Focusrite scarlet 2i4. Works like a dream, and was around 180 for me. But theres a cheaper model, the 2i2, that does the exact same thing but it does not have MIDI in and out, i highly recommend checking it out.
Thanx for all your help on this peeps.
Ed much appreciated mate. I still leaning towards the Tascam, from what I can see there are drivers available for Windows 7 but thanx as well Dalla as I am looking at Focusrite as well. Decision for the new year me thinks. Unforunately the upgrade on the PC ate most of my budget so I have got to shop prudently lol.
Happy New Year to EVERYONE. Enjoy & I hope 2014 is peaceful & productive for Y'all.
Vis . . . .
I've been using a tascam for a while, it's built like a rock. Doesn't have any bells or whistles but ZERO latency is what it gives you. Only problems I've had are with drivers, it's a real bitch to figure out the proper drivers and DAW settings, might take a few weeks to get it going properly.
Watching this thread really closely (https://www.looperman.com/forum/thread/180280/how-do-i-connect-electric-guitar-to-laptop) as I too need advice on recording guitar & bass (and midi lol) more clearly then I can at present. Just about to update me PC to much more processing power, better sound card and all that happy stuff, but I am still unsure about audio interfaces. At the present I go straight in to the PC with variable results that often take ages to put right. I would wish advice & tips on the following questions please. I am now on a quite strict budget so I am very intrested in posters suggestions of the Tascam equipment (thanx to PJB & Tumbleweed for giving the heads up on it). I am looking at getting a MK144. So here goes me queries for guitar, bass & midi recording.
1/ Will I be able to record via my amp (setting it with effects etc I want) or will I have to go staright into the PC then use any DAW software?
2/ Will it work for guitar, midi & bass? At present I use Magix, Audacity, FL11 and am trying to conquer Ableton & Reaper.
3/ What file formats will save to allow me to work in different DAWS?
4/ Is it worth spending a little more to get a slightly better version?
5/ Are there any other AI that are similar price but knock spots off Tascam?
6/ Will I be able to record then play back & overdub using the AI? This is important as it will only be be me recording one insrument at a time but because of this playback & overdub are vital.
7/ Is it fairly easy to learn & use? Yup I can be a bit new gadget phobic from time to time.
Now many of you peeps are so much more in the know so any advice & help & tips would be greatly appreciated before I go and spend me hard earned readies (whats left of it lol) on a piece of kit that may not be of much use to me. Thanx in advance.
Peace, Love, Justice & Respect.
Vis . . . .
Hi Vis...I just wrote a kind of long answer to this but it disapppeared when I hit post........anyway...Dont sweat it...as long as you get one with the inputs/outputs you need they all work just fine & will be a major improvement over the way you are doing it now....
I think the MK144 is a fairly old model (around 2007) so I would be concerned about it having drivers that would work with newer pc operating systems......
To avoid a too long answer again...my suggestion...go for whatever make is within your budget new or used..and look for 2 mic or mic/line combo inputs (in case you want to record with 2 mics in stereo etc) when you stick them in front of your amp or any acoustic noise making stuff....or if not combo inputs you would need 2 mic & 2 line (ie: 1/4" guitar type) plus a midi input if you have a hardware synth you want to use as a controller as well as getting the audio in.... (if you use controller keyboard(s) they just plug into your pc with USB)....Your monitors and/or headphones just plug into the interface.......
Everyone will tell you their fav ..but I have found all the major brands work just fine (been using various since day 1)....MAudio, Focusrite, Roland, Presonus, etc etc.....
Vis..why dont you check around localy or online & contact me if you see something of interest..I will send my email address & get back to you with any help I can give....Ed
Here`s 3 that will do everything you describe...
Tascam iU2...
MAudio Fast Track c400....
Presonus Audiobox usb...
The Presonus Audiobox 22vsl is almost the same, but has higher quality inputs for another 50 bucks.
I used the Focusrite scarlet 2i4. Works like a dream, and was around 180 for me. But theres a cheaper model, the 2i2, that does the exact same thing but it does not have MIDI in and out, i highly recommend checking it out.
Thanx for all your help on this peeps.
Ed much appreciated mate. I still leaning towards the Tascam, from what I can see there are drivers available for Windows 7 but thanx as well Dalla as I am looking at Focusrite as well. Decision for the new year me thinks. Unforunately the upgrade on the PC ate most of my budget so I have got to shop prudently lol.
Happy New Year to EVERYONE. Enjoy & I hope 2014 is peaceful & productive for Y'all.
Vis . . . .
10 more bucks gets you a Presonus and I can say from experience they are quality build. That Tascam looks really Plastic. I love my Presonus.
tv
I've been using a tascam for a while, it's built like a rock. Doesn't have any bells or whistles but ZERO latency is what it gives you. Only problems I've had are with drivers, it's a real bitch to figure out the proper drivers and DAW settings, might take a few weeks to get it going properly.