Recommend me a USB recording interface

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:07 am

I'm looking to upgrade from my BOSS hard-disk, since having to export files in USB 1.0 SUCKS. I'm thinking I want just a straight USB interface to streamline the whole process.

I've been looking at the Line 6 Toneport UX2 since it has 4 inputs, comes with POD software, and is on sale at Sweetwater for $99. Plus, sweet VU meters.

Anything else I should check out? I'm mostly looking for more then 2 inputs so I can do stereo micing plus direct guitar if I want. I have Amplitube, so it doesn't matter if it comes with modeling software. I'm thinking $150 tops.

I have a Shure SM58, 57, Audio-Technica condenser (forget model), and an EV Elvis-style crystal mic. Any other mics I should look at while I'm at it?

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:39 pm

Toneport's are sweet. I own 2.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:02 pm

Alright, I grabbed the Toneport UX2 for $101 shipped. Now I need to write some songs.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:24 pm

I got the Toneport. It took me about 5 hours to get it to interface with Ableton Live because the instructions don't make sense, but I finally figured it out. It's pretty trill: Zero latency monitoring, great intelligent hum filter, and really good amp models. I'm recording with ~250ms latency and haven't gotten a single drop-out or overload.

Plus Sweet Water sent me candy with my order. Mmmmmmm...

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:40 pm

DuoSonicBoy wrote:I got the Toneport. It took me about 5 hours to get it to interface with Ableton Live because the instructions don't make sense, but I finally figured it out. It's pretty trill: Zero latency monitoring, great intelligent hum filter, and really good amp models. I'm recording with ~250ms latency and haven't gotten a single drop-out or overload.

Plus Sweet Water sent me candy with my order. Mmmmmmm...

I have a TonePort which I use with Ableton Live. I can record 1 track easily, but have you figured out how to get stereo recording on 2 seperate tracks in ableton? I cant do it... I only have the UX1 so i cant do 2 mics, but i can do Guitar + Mic at the same time.. but it wont work.. :s

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:31 pm

You know how you have to arm the track to record? You hold down Ctrl and click the arm-to-record button on 2 tracks. Then you set the input of each of those tracks to the desired output from the toneport (usually 1&2 and 3&4).

There's a walkthrough in Ableton that's pretty handy, if a bit vague.

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:56 am

That's a great deal on the UX2! I have the Tone DI which has a very good guitar input/pad for tracking guit, but no XLRs. I use my Lexicon Lambda interface, off of my ProSonus Tubepre for warmth for vocals. Oh wait, or is it tube pre, into my behringer compressor and then into the lexicon? yes. that's it.

i never liked ableton...but i've been using cakewalk since like 2000, so that might be why i only like it and protools. lol

wanderingjew · Post by **wanderingjew** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:30 pm

Seeing as how you've already bought a toneport, I guess this is moot... but a Lexicon Omega is pretty good.

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:46 pm

wanderingjew wrote:Seeing as how you've already bought a toneport, I guess this is moot... but a Lexicon Omega is pretty good.

i owns one of those and i uses boaf my toneports and my omega. i'm hardcoar.

ProcessedMeatMan · Post by **ProcessedMeatMan** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:27 am

I just bought a Toneport UX2 on teh Amazonz. I'm gonna start recording some mutha fuckin shit./

Al_ · Post by **Al_** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:44 am

Nice.

chrisplayer7 · Post by **chrisplayer7** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:24 pm

The basic lexicon, lexicon alpha,isnt great but is cheap. Have one myself. Does sound a bit cheap tho. MOTU 828MK series is a great bet. M-Audio do good stuff. It all depends on budget really..

I prefer firewire, never had any problems and is faster. I have a focusrite saffire pro 10 and its great. Had to get a card/firewire thing for port on laptop though

hypermused · Post by **hypermused** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:18 pm

what about Fast Track, from M-AUDIO? Better/worse than Line6 Tone Port?

NBarnes21 · Post by **NBarnes21** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:01 pm

I have the Fast Track Pro, it's pretty decent for the money. OK pre's and easy to use. I kinda wish I had saved up some more to get the Presonus Firepod though, mostly cause 2 inputs is quite limiting.