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Posted by Sonic_c on Dec-28-2008 18:42:

Help with choosing an interface

Hiya I am currently using the onboard sound from my motherboard to make tunes etc and my korg goes into the line in.

Problem is its noisey with a hiss thats always present. It also has a recording latency so vocals/Synth arps always record out of time.

Anyway I have �100 for xmas (thanks mom) to buy a usb sound card all I want is a mic in and 2x1/4 (L&R) input for the korg.

I looked at M-adio interfaces and behringer ones but I know behringer suck. Can anyone suggest one?

One more thing I also want to start using tracktor or similar to DJ from my pc only problem is I cant cue anything up becasue both songs just come out the master out on soundcard. Will buying a soundcard enable me to listen to one track in headphones while one is playing out of the speakers?

Posted by Jimb0b on Dec-28-2008 19:46:

If my memory serves me correct, to do the djing thing you need two soundcards, one for the cuing, and one for the "live" audio. If you want to be able to record your mix as well, then one of the soundcards needs to full-duplex (can play and record at the same time)

When I last tried it, I used my internal soundcard (the one on the motherboard) along with my m-audio 2496, and I think it worked fine (bad memory!!), and used the m-audio card to also record the mix.

I used an external mixer, and cant remember if it makes a difference or not, I think its pretty much the same, just some extra wires involved. I used an external mixer so I could mix with the PC and vinyl interchangabley.

With my m-audio 2496, I dont have any problems with latency using a usb keyboard, but am not sure how different this will be with a keyboard that output audio (I just use mine for midi).

Not neccessarily the best of answers, but just a bit of my past experience, hope its of some help.

Posted by kitphillips on Dec-29-2008 12:15:

Jimbob, thats one way to do it but not ideal or good.

Good soundcards have many outputs, and many inputs. You should be looking to spend a bit more than 100 quid, but given the exchange rates maybe not too much more.... M-audio/behringer are almost as bad as each other, look at MOTU, echo, RME, for good cards. Theres apparently one or two good M audio cards, but you'll need to do a search If on a laptop, look at the echo indigo DJ, it doesn't have an input but works nicely for DJing.

EDIT: Focusrite may be another option. Not great quality but a good entry point.

Posted by Sonic_c on Dec-29-2008 14:23:

Thanks kit might just save more money.

Posted by Zild on Dec-29-2008 14:32:

I would look at an Echo Audiofire 4. You can dj with that as it has four outs and is probably the cheapest decent quality interface you will find. And you have room to add another synth later.