Hi,
I didn't know where i could start this topic, so i'm sorry if i posted it in the wrong place. I'm thinking of buying a guitar interface, so i can start on recording some samples and stuff, and i was wondering if you could advise me about which one should i buy: a peavey xport usb or a behringer ucg102?
If you know better options in the same range of price or a litle above, don't hesitate to tell me :)
Thanks in advance
Don't cheap out to much or you won't enjoy the sound of it much. I don't buy Behringer stuff cause the started out ripping off other peoples work and selling it way cheaper.
Look around and pay a little more. Google is good...
Granted, most Behringer stuff I ever owned had to go pretty soon. But not all their stuff is bad or bad clones.
The Guitar Link UCG102 is decent, but also consider a U-PHORIA UM2 as it has a knob for the input level and two input channels.
If you already have a little buffer/booster for guitar you could even use a U-Control UCA202/UCA222.
Another thing to consider: if you are new to this you probably don't own recording software (a DAW) yet.
So look out for hardware that has some (entry level version) DAW (and perhaps amp sim) bundled.
From what I've seen, all bundled DAWs are crippled versions of huge production software. If he's really new to this, he might consider going with free Audacity, then maybe move on to Reaper (also free)?
Crippled, yes. Often the number of audio and midi tracks is limited. So the number of plugins.
But still better than any old 4-track portastudio (if anyone remembers them).
I used Cubase LE for years before I really needed (and could afford) more.
I have an M-Audio Fast track pro that do the job i want! Its relatively cheap!
Also look at the Low level Presonus stuff that comes with Studio One. Their interfaces are pretty good and I've heard great things about Studio One.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reaper is the bomb and free (or very low cost). The Presonus Audiobox is also an inexpensive good interface.
Can't go wrong with Presonus, M-Audio, and Lexicon. Even the Line 6 ux2 is ok. Brands to avoid like the BLACK PLAGUE: Behringer, Peavey, Zoom, and Newmark (never had any luck with any of these recording devices).
I've had great results with Focusrite (Scarlett 2i2), Steinberg (UR22, doesn't work in Linux though), and Native Instruments (Guitar Rig Session I/O).
But these are a bit above the mentioned price range.
Look for a used Scarlett 2i2. I've seen them for $100 on the gear page.
For my purposes (just recording stuff, maybe "turning it up" if I recorded a bit too quiet, and trimming the silences), Audacity works alright. I've got a Scarlett 2i4 that I plug a red 12 Gauge Mic into, and it sounds pretty decent.
I think what has to be considered here is what you're recording your samples with. I think many interfaces come with a software system, or a DAW, but I don't know how many of them come with a digital guitar plugin.
I always seem to be flogging Presonus, but boy I've been pleased with the Audiobox 44VSL that I have. I believe they have a 2 channel 22VSL that's fairly reasonably priced, and it comes with a DAW. The DAW is called Studio One, and the free version is pretty great, but you don't really get a good virtual guitar system unless you upgrade to their pro DAW. Studio One Pro comes with Native Instrument's guitar program, which is freaking rad.
Right now, until the end of the month, upgrading to Studio One Pro is %50 off, which is great, but that only helps if you're willing to both buy the interface ($150?) AND also upgrade the DAW.
TL/DR, consider the program you're using to plug your guitar in as well as the interface, and don't just buy a great interface unless you also can get the software you need as well.
Jacob
Thanks for all the replies, i really appreciate that. I'm gonna check all the options of interfaces you gave me. About the software, i know someone who can get me a guitar rig 5. I have tried the gr3 and liked it, but don't know if the gr5 is any good.
So i think that the only problem here, is just deciding which interface to get :)
I'm currently comparing three interfaces: m-audio fast track pro, Audio box Usb and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. So which one of those would be the best option? Are there better options than those? Tell me what you think :D
I personally would stay away from the M Audio.
I think the Audiobox is an awesome choice, but my preference for Presonus gear is only about my familiarity. I think the Focusrite stuff is probably great also.
Jacob
The "cheapest-best" is this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JWX4P2?pc_redir=1395651452&robot_redir=1
I work in a music store and we sell a bunch of these
..and it comes often with a basic version of Cubase
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on March 27, 2014, 10:03:48 PM
I'm currently comparing three interfaces: m-audio fast track pro, Audio box Usb and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. So which one of those would be the best option? Are there better options than those? Tell me what you think :D
The Focusrite will probably have the best converters out of the three.
I'm sort of thinking that it's be hard to go wrong with a focusrite preamp too.
Yeah, i was also leaning more towards the focusrite. So if i don't find any better option, i will get the focusrite :) the music store where i usually buy my stuff, sells them, so finding it won't be a problem :D
Thanks for all the replies, you helped me a lot!
Just a small heads up:
Apparently the 2i2 has clipping/gain problems if you plug your guitar directly into it. It should be fine if you mic your amp. Not all people report the problem, but you can google around for "2i2 clipping" and read some forums.
back when I was researching an interface for myself the above was the only thing that was detracting me. But since I was going to mic my amp its all fine
Quote from: ddog on March 28, 2014, 10:30:33 PM
Just a small heads up:
Apparently the 2i2 has clipping/gain problems if you plug your guitar directly into it. It should be fine if you mic your amp. Not all people report the problem, but you can google around for "2i2 clipping" and read some forums.
Even my sheraton only clips it in the last 10% of the knob's rotation. Microphones clip it a heck of a lot earlier than that. :/
From what I read is that it's not the normal inherent clipping, its a defect in the model. The gain knob doesn't lower the gain as much as it should on line/inst (I forgot which one). The microphone gain works fine. The issue seemed fixed on the 2i4 as it had the pad switch. Apparently using a DI box also helps on the 2i2 model
I dunno if its a widespread issue, I hear plenty of people use the 2i2 on youtube without any clipping
I've heard about that problem, and the guy said that using a di box would help, does someone recommend that? If yes, which one would do the job?
I'd try it out without a DI box first, no need in buying something you might not need :D
Yes, you're right :D
I'm about to put down on an 18i8. I think having 4 mic pres lets me have just that little bit more flexibility, even though I use Jamstix for my drums these days.
The 18i8 is very cool, but of course, way above my price range. Hope you have luck with it :D
Maybe i should start another topic for this question, but as this one is still open, i'll post right here.
I'm also willing to buy my first mic, but as i am a begginner in sorts of things, i have to ask for opinions.
I'm looking at the shure sm57, read that it is a very good and versatile mic, and i'm also looking at a audio technica at2020, don't know about that one, but also read that it is very good for the price. Any better options?
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on March 29, 2014, 01:26:12 PM
Maybe i should start another topic for this question, but as this one is still open, i'll post right here.
I'm also willing to buy my first mic, but as i am a begginner in sorts of things, i have to ask for opinions.
I'm looking at the shure sm57, read that it is a very good and versatile mic, and i'm also looking at a audio technica at2020, don't know about that one, but also read that it is very good for the price. Any better options?
Mic for what? Guitar? Vocals? I work for Sennheiser so of course I am biased lol. For guitar I would recommend the e906 (made in Germany with a 10 year warranty in the USA). Hard to beat that. Any questions about mics or techniques and I am happy to answer them.
I've been using a Samson Co1u and get pretty good results. It's a USB mic, so you don't even need an interface with it if you're just mic'ing your amp.
I think it comes with a stripped down version of Sonar. I never installed, that, though.
http://www.amazon.com/Samson-C01UCW-Studio-Cakewalk-Sonar/dp/B000PTF0E2
Quote from: HailToTheBlues on March 29, 2014, 01:26:12 PM
Maybe i should start another topic for this question, but as this one is still open, i'll post right here.
I'm also willing to buy my first mic, but as i am a begginner in sorts of things, i have to ask for opinions.
I'm looking at the shure sm57, read that it is a very good and versatile mic, and i'm also looking at a audio technica at2020, don't know about that one, but also read that it is very good for the price. Any better options?
If you're just looking at miking your amp, the 57 will do you fine. With all respect to Ben and Sennheiser (whose mics I love), you'll probably get a better low-end response out of the 57. If I was doing live sound I might want the 906, though.
yeah, i forgot to write that i was looking for a mic to record vocals and acoustic guitars (not at the same time). Now that i cleared that ::), which mic would do that job?
QuoteIf you're just looking at miking your amp, the 57 will do you fine. With all respect to Ben and Sennheiser (whose mics I love), you'll probably get a better low-end response out of the 57
Hmmm.. the 57 has a fairly sharp bottom end rolloff, which is why it works well when closely micing amp cabs - the proximity effect is minimized. Once you start moving it out a few inches, you'll hear the bottom end decline pretty sharply.
If you're looking for vocals and acoustic guitar, the AT2020 is a better choice. You're going to want a condenser mic to get more detail there.
Jon beat me to it, but yeah - if you're doing guitar cabs, acoustic and Vocals, an LDC will do it all, and a dynamic only maybe will do it all. Go with the 2020.
Jacob
I got this microphone set:
AT2020 and AT2021 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xat2020+and+at2021&_nkw=at2020+and+at2021&_sacat=0&_from=R40)
The 2020 is a good microphone, period, not just for the price, and you can get a set with an instrument condenser for pretty cheap if you look (there's one for $130 right now). Vocals can be picky about microphones, but I think you'd have to start looking above $1K before you actually find something clearly better than the 2020. Heck, I use mine live now ...
Quote from: midwayfair on March 31, 2014, 01:11:34 PM
I got this microphone set:
AT2020 and AT2021 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xat2020+and+at2021&_nkw=at2020+and+at2021&_sacat=0&_from=R40)
The 2020 is a good microphone, period, not just for the price, and you can get a set with an instrument condenser for pretty cheap if you look (there's one for $130 right now). Vocals can be picky about microphones, but I think you'd have to start looking above $1K before you actually find something clearly better than the 2020. Heck, I use mine live now ...
That's a false statement. You can get a Sennheiser MK4 for $299. You can also get a Neumann TLM 102 for $799. Both are made in Germany at the Neumann/Sennheiser factory and are clearly a step above the 2020.
Quote from: midwayfair on March 31, 2014, 04:11:09 PM
Quote from: rullywowr on March 31, 2014, 01:24:22 PM
You can get a Sennheiser MK4 for $299.
I think that's comparable to the 2020 but not clearly better. It's a lot brighter but has less inherent EQ overall. It also has more bass, which isn't necessarily a good thing for recording a guitar. What about it, besides the country of origin, do you think makes it a clear step up? They handle comparable input levels, have comparable noise performance, and there's nothing about the construction of the AT that I find lacking. And the research I did on Gearslutz before "cheaping out" and getting the AT package doesn't seem to disagree.
I didn't know about the 102, so I guess $800 is less than my generalization of $1,000. I wasn't really looking for anything over $500.
I was simply correcting your statement that one doesn't have to spend $1000 to get a good condenser microphone as you suggested. I will say that the AT2020 does work well, for an $99 electret mic. The words "Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser" mean that it is an electret microphone and not what is known as a "True Condenser." Electret microphones use a permanently charged material (usually a type of mylar) which is superheated and then bombarded with a strong electrical field. When the material cools, it is then permanently charged. Electret microphones are ubiquitous in todays culture, featured in everything from childrens toys, cell phones, and anywhere a cheap mic is needed. They get a bad rap because the tolerances are not quite as good when they are pumping them out by the billions. Not to say there aren't good electrets out there..(Sennheiser e865, Shure KSM9, lavalier mics etc) however they typically stop around the $649 price point.
Electrets are cheaper to manufacture but the best microphones, as you find in every top studio in the world, are going to be of the "True Condenser" variety. All Neumann mics (except the BCM705 dynamic) are true condensers. The True Condenser principle takes extra care to manufacture and extra circuitry to bias the backplate. So what does "Country of Origin" have to do with it? Well, careful attention has to be invested in the coating of the diaphragm material (usually by gold sputtering) and achieving uniform capsule tension all under a dust free clean environment. This is something that has been perfected for over 65 years by Neumann/Sennheiser and performed in "clean rooms" the same type that heart catheters are made in. The tolerances are so close that you can take a mic made today, and a mic made 5 years ago and they will be matched within 1dB. Requesting consecutive serial numbers from Neumann is a thing of the past to assure a matched pair (but can still be provided if the customer is particular). Audio Technica...did you know that AT is a huge manufacturer of Sushi Rice cookers.... check out the logo ;)
(http://www.autec-usa.com/products/images/products/ASM860A.jpg)
http://www.autec-usa.com/products/norimakimakers.html
The $299 Sennheiser MK4 is a true condenser with a 1" (25.4mm) capsule. The Neumann TLM102 also has a larger capsule. The AT2020 has a 16mm electret capsule. What does a larger capsule mean? Increased sensitivity and increased response especially with transient sounds. Noticable...you bet.
I'm not knocking the 2020, for $99, I agree that it is a solid deal for short money. If it works for you, it works...plain and simple. The best microphone is one that you are going to use and get good sounds out of. I always say the first rule of microphones is that there are no rules. The 2020 is going to reproduce more treble frequencies than say your vanilla SM57. I'm glad you are happy with your 2020 however, to say that you have to spend $1000 (or even $500) to get a better microphone than a 2020 is patently false.
What works very well for studio recording guitar cabs is a combination of a condenser with a dynamic. I had the opportunity of a lifetime a few years ago to have dinner with Al Schmitt (most award winning engineer of all time), George Massenburg, and Chuck Ainlay. The conversation came around to microphones (of course) and all of them agreed their favorite mic was the Neumann U67 (unfortunately out of production). Mark Knopfler's sound (Dire Straits) has always been captured by a SM57 and a U67. A condenser gets great treble response while dynamics have a smooth bass/mid response. When working together, they cover all the bases. If I had to pick only one type of mic to mic an electric...it would be a dynamic. Acoustic...always condenser. Usually a LDC near the body and a pencil condenser near the 12th fret.
A cool old trick when using two microphones on a guitar cab is to set one up where you think it sounds good. Then run some kind of noise through your guitar rig (like a fuzz pedal or a noisy effect). Before setting the position of the second mic, flip it out of phase and put some headphones on. Move the second mic to where the noise is the least pronounced. When you get back to the console, flip the phase back to normal and you should have some epic toanz. If your interface/console doesn't have a phase reverse switch you can monitor through the DAW where you can flip the phase there. If that still isn't an option, you can wire a short XLR in reverse (swap pins 2 and 3) to get a phase reversing cable.
Eh, I deleted my comment anyway because I was only able to test the MK4 in a store booth and not at home through an interface anyway, and I didn't want this to turn into a thread derail.
I was looking for a third mic, so I might add the Sennheiser to my list of possibles. It does sound like a really good deal for the price (and I had assumed it was another faux condenser in any case before).
Ben,
While we all appreciate your knowledge and information, I know you're an employee for Sennheiser. I believe it's pretty poor form for you to knock Audio Technica around. You have no basis to suggest that a Rice Machine might be built in the same factory, and by using that as an argument, not that's really not appropriate to the original question being posed, you've gone a little bit too far.
You like Sennheiser and Neumann Mics. That's great. That's not what the OP asked about, and your knocking on Audio Technica could be considered slander. Careful bud.
Jacob
Quote from: jkokura on March 31, 2014, 06:24:40 PM
Ben,
While we all appreciate your knowledge and information, I know you're an employee for Sennheiser. I believe it's pretty poor form for you to knock Audio Technica around. You have no basis to suggest that a Rice Machine might be built in the same factory, and by using that as an argument, not that's really not appropriate to the original question being posed, you've gone a little bit too far.
You like Sennheiser and Neumann Mics. That's great. That's not what the OP asked about, and your knocking on Audio Technica could be considered slander. Careful bud.
Jacob
I like mics from many companies and wasn't knocking the AT2020. In fact I gave props to the AT2020 in my post. I personally own mics from many companies and not just Sennheiser/Neumann. I have c414s and they are a studio staple for overheads and much more. For $99 the AT2020 is a solid deal. The OP was asking about interfaces but when I see a post which contains disinformation regarding mics, I'm going to chime in. Sorry, but I can't let that slide when it's something well within my wheelhouse.
I edited my post to not suggest the possibility that AT may make mics in the same factory. I never said that it was true, just something to think about. Regardless of hurting anyone's sensitive sensibilities, It's a true statement that AT is one of the premiere Rice Cooker manufacturers, many do not know this.
Regardless of whether they were, it's not pertinent to the discussion here at Madbean, and it looks bad to 'suggest' that because Audio Technica make Mics AND make Rice Cookers that somehow makes them an inferior product. Particularly because you work for a competitor.
Yamaha makes awesome guitars, some of the best pianos in the world, and a huge assortment of quality brass, woodwind and string instruments. They also make ATVs and Motorcycles.
If an Asian company diversifies in it's manufacture we shouldn't look on that with Western eyes and ask, "is this a wise thing." It's actually a sign of success and typical of an Eastern philosophy of business.
Jacob
Had a quick dip with the 18i8 tonight. Plenty of usable gain with and without the pad, but so far I'm finding that it's clipping before the "halo" level indicator goes red. Not a big deal, you just have to listen.
yeah, the old-school way :D
Quote from: Willybomb on April 02, 2014, 02:36:37 PM
Had a quick dip with the 18i8 tonight. Plenty of usable gain with and without the pad, but so far I'm finding that it's clipping before the "halo" level indicator goes red. Not a big deal, you just have to listen.
Engineer with your ears, not your eyes.
Well, the fact of the matter is that the moment you go too hard with a clean source it sounds like a 1-knob fuzz. If you can't pick up that you should probably take something else up as a hobby.
Actually.... if I was recording a fuzzed guitar signal it could be a +ve or a -ve. Dunno yet!
Quote from: Willybomb on April 03, 2014, 01:05:46 PM
Well, the fact of the matter is that the moment you go too hard with a clean source it sounds like a 1-knob fuzz. If you can't pick up that you should probably take something else up as a hobby.
Actually.... if I was recording a fuzzed guitar signal it could be a +ve or a -ve. Dunno yet!
Truth. The "Revolution 1" guitar sound was an overloaded mic pre, after all.
I don't understand why people talk sh*t about behringer and peavey.
I have recorded entire albums using behringer equipment, and never had any problems.
I guess you just have to know what you're doing.
Or you can be a sucker and pay out the butt for the same stuff.
Presonus
Quote from: RasRiff on October 10, 2014, 10:19:34 PM
I don't understand why people talk sh*t about behringer and peavey.
I have recorded entire albums using behringer equipment, and never had any problems.
I guess you just have to know what you're doing.
Or you can be a sucker and pay out the butt for the same stuff.
I've seen a lot of Behringer stuff break down. Some of it's made with pretty low grade components. But, to be fair to them, they price it accordingly, so it can be a decent value.
I am not sure if I'd go as far as to say that it is "the same stuff." A lot of the more expensive stuff uses higher quality components, some of which will affect reliability and some that can affect sound quality.
But sure, you can record an album with it.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 has been around for a while and has been met with rave reviews by audio engineers around the net..
i just ordered 6 of them for the workplace.
Quote from: pickdropper on October 13, 2014, 08:40:06 PM
Quote from: RasRiff on October 10, 2014, 10:19:34 PM
I don't understand why people talk sh*t about behringer and peavey.
I have recorded entire albums using behringer equipment, and never had any problems.
I guess you just have to know what you're doing.
Or you can be a sucker and pay out the butt for the same stuff.
I've seen a lot of Behringer stuff break down. Some of it's made with pretty low grade components. But, to be fair to them, they price it accordingly, so it can be a decent value.
I am not sure if I'd go as far as to say that it is "the same stuff." A lot of the more expensive stuff uses higher quality components, some of which will affect reliability and some that can affect sound quality.
But sure, you can record an album with it.
Further to this - Behringer's stuff is often non-repairable as well. I know that my Presonus gear is only slightly more repairable, but they don't build their interfaces in such a way as to make them impossible to repair.
I have a good relationship with a local electronics repair guy, we go for coffee. I've learned not to get him going on Behringer... Once he showed me a shelving unit in his shop that was stacked with B stuff - all of it non-repairable or impossible to repair. No other brand he knows of builds audio/guitar gear like that.
Jacob