Suitable USB Audio Interface

[shahbazi]

Hi, im after a USB Audio Interface for under £100, i dont really have the money to consider anything over. Iv searched the forum but everybody seems to be recommending these £250 interfaces. I have a few requirements, my main reason for wanting an interface because im currently using a piece of shit soundblaster, and also im purchasing a pair of krk's, and dont want to hook my speakers straight up to my soundcard, i want to run through an audio interface with a volume knob so i can have physical control over the volume. So does anybody know a decent interface within my price range, i dont mind about number of inputs, i dont mind rca/trs outputs, and most importantly a volume control dial.

I was checking out the lexicon alpha as it looked ideal, but some reviews have said its a piece of shit, not sure why;
http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/ ... ace--36113





Thanks!

[manray]

It's not really an audio interface... but the Audio 2 DJ is about £75.

Excellent piece of kit. Solid as a rock on both my windows + mac rig. Superb latency wise, sound quality is also crystal.

Just 2 stereo outputs but has a nice large volume knob for each channel.

It's also VERY small, less than a 20 pack of cigs which is great as I can carry everything in a small laptop case.

[evil madmen]

Tascam US100

[JFK]

If you could scrape another £30 I'd recommend this one mate:

http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/ ... ace--40638

[shahbazi]

The output dial on the tascam controls the headphone volume according to the video ad?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDFbsYke ... r_embedded

anybody own this interface?

[shahbazi]

Any more suggestions guys?

[lowpass]

Focusrite Saffire 6 - £140

In this price range will kick any other interface's ass, you can spend less and get an alpha but at that level your better off just sticking with your sound blaster and getting a midi controller for your volume knob.

[shahbazi]

i was thinkin maybe upgrading soundcard then buying a small 1 channel mixer, im not that bothered about inputs as i dont record much, im just after decent quality with a physical volume control for my monitors

[deadly_habit]

if you just need a volume knob the tc electronics level pilot is all you need
the lexicon alpha is shit
save up for a better interface

[therook]

It's not really an audio interface... but the Audio 2 DJ is about £75.

Excellent piece of kit. Solid as a rock on both my windows + mac rig. Superb latency wise, sound quality is also crystal.

Just 2 stereo outputs but has a nice large volume knob for each channel.

It's also VERY small, less than a 20 pack of cigs which is great as I can carry everything in a small laptop case.

+1 for the audio 2 dj. Works like a charm.

[upstateface]

1 channel mixer

wat

[therook]

If you're looking for a good mixer at a good price check out the 2 channel xone: 22. It's made by allen & heath and can also be used should you wanna be a dj.

[tavravlavish]

1 channel mixer

wat

[FSTZ]

Focusrite Saffire 6 - £140

In this price range will kick any other interface's ass, you can spend less and get an alpha but at that level your better off just sticking with your sound blaster and getting a midi controller for your volume knob.

I recommend focusrite

the mic pre's and AD conversion cannot be beat for the price

[th@-pu$$y]

There's nothing on the market right now for that price that I would even consider buying. They tend to perform poorly, break easily, and usually are very limited in output options. (i.e. Most budget interfaces only have unbalanced RCA outputs only as opposed to the more midrange models will have options for RCA, XLR, and 1/4'') Sadly theres not really a way around it, I would just be patient and save your money and buy the right one the first time for two reasons. #1- Interfaces are non return/refundable (at least in the U.S.) because they usually come with software and software is illegal for retalers to accept for a few different reasions, but I digress. #2-If you buy a cheap interface it will not work well and you will not be able to return it forcing you to yet again spend MORE money to get something that ya should have just sprung for in the first place. I work in Pro audio and I see this situation play out almost daily......... For the price The M-Audio fast track ultra is a great sounding interface with many in/out options and very stable. Also works well with 3rd party master volume control such as the TC big knob.

[FSTZ]

I would just be patient and save your money and buy the right one the first time for two reasons. #1- Interfaces are non return/refundable (at least in the U.S.) because they usually come with software and software is illegal for retalers to accept for a few different reasions, but I digress.

this is solid advice

buy cheap.. buy twice

[Electric_Head]

ESI NeoN has served me very well for the last 6 years.

[shahbazi]

does the TC volume knob just plug directly into the monitors?

[FSTZ]

I have a TC level pilot and it's a passive, go between solution

interface -> knob -> monitors

all balanced XLR of course

[shahbazi]

Thanks for the help, think im just gonna buy a better internal sound card, hook it up to a behringer mixer then have that running to my monitors.