A simple easy to use recording interface?

[kenbennett]

I like the rental idea. It's good to have something for everyday use though, and if they fix your Apogee for free....

What equipment do you get for $55 a month?

[Jim Soloway]

I like the rental idea. It's good to have something for everyday use though, and if they fix your Apogee for free....

What equipment do you get for $55 a month?

I'll get the list from them on Monday, but he named a few and they were the interfaces that begin in the $600 range and up. As for the Apogee, I think I'll get the fix done and then sell it. I really prefer a device with analog controls rather than having to go through multiple layers of software. I find that approach very confusing and it wouldn't shock me to hear the the problems have all been a result of user error. The Focusrite Scarlett that you suggested is much more the sort of device that I'm comfortable with and I suspect that's the direction I'll go for a permanent interface.

[krusty]

For solo work, Jim, the Motu interfaces are really solid. I have had 2 different ones, a Traveler and an Ultralight, and they were both very good. They have a reputation, as many less expensive interfaces do, of making recordings with many tracks sound slightly 'cloudy', due to the preamps and converters not being the absolute top end. For solo recording, however, they would work just fine. You can frequently find them on Craigslist for good prices.

Noise floor can sometimes be an issue with lower end interfaces, and even some costing 1-2k. The more preamps an interface has built in, the more it should logically cost, but there are various price points, and manufacturers will make many compromises to hit the desired price point. Your chosen microphone will have a huge impact on whether the noise floor becomes an issue or not. A lower output ribbon mic might well be a top choice in terms of sound, but when paired with a preamp that does not give much gain without the noise floor intruding, it will be a very poor choice.

My Metric Halo 2882 is a very good interface, but it has an audible noise floor too when paired with a less sensitive mic, or when recording my nylon string guitar. I plug my synthesizers into it's preamps. The ULN-2 is a far better choice for a good mic. ULN standing for Ultra Low Noise, and there is a big difference. The preamps offer far more gain to begin with, and the noise floor never becomes an issue.

[kenbennett]

I'll get the list from them on Monday, but he named a few and they were the interfaces that begin in the $600 range and up. As for the Apogee, I think I'll get the fix done and then sell it. I really prefer a device with analog controls rather than having to go through multiple layers of software. I find that approach very confusing and it wouldn't shock me to hear the the problems have all been a result of user error. The Focusrite Scarlett that you suggested is much more the sort of device that I'm comfortable with and I suspect that's the direction I'll go for a permanent interface.

I like the physical controls too. Everything in it's own place. The thing works well too. When I can afford enough mics and have a big enough room to record a whole band live, I'm likely to get the 18i20. Same stuff as the 2i2, just more of it.

Let us know what you rent, if that's the way you go.