ebola?
Bluelight Crew
Hi. I have a used (mac) laptop, an old but passable keyboard, and pirated sequencing software. Any suggestions for a usb/midi interface with pros and cons too?
ebola
ebola
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Music Moderators: Shinji Ikari
USB/MIDI interface suggestions
- Thread starter ebola?
- Start date
tastethealex
Bluelighter
what do you plan to try and accomplish and what are your spending limits. there is no 1 universal controller I could recommend without at least having an idea of what your spending limits and intentions are.
I can tell you: I love my APC40
I can tell you: I love my APC40
ChemicalSmiles
Ex-Bluelighter
apc 40 man!
|>R()|)!G/-\|_
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2007
- Messages
- 1,134
Guys and Gals, The APC 40 is a controller; not a sound card/audio interface. The audio interface = a way for raw MIDI/Audio data to enter the sequencer/DAW.
Consider three main things.
1. What type of connection to the machine would you like?
A. Firewire-Sustained High Speed Data Transfer Rates
B. USB-Faster than Firewire for short bursts of data transfer but slower for sustained data
flow
C. PCI(E)-Connects directly to the computer's internal bus/motherboard; some laptops
accept them through a card port-Fastest data transfer but isn't exactly plug and play.
They often require opening the computer tower and completing a hardware installation.
It's no tougher than adding RAM but still not as easy as connecting a cable from the
computer to sound card.
2. How many inputs/outputs do you need? Some soundcards have 1 in/1 out while others
have 10+ in/out. Are you recording guitar and vocals or an entire band? For most
computer based music, a card with 2 ins/2 outs and a MIDI in/out is acceptable. You can
use the audio ins for external instruments like keyboards, guitars, or turntables/mixers or
mics. I suggest at least 2 audio inputs so you can record stereo signals from things like
mixers or electronic drums. The MIDI in/out is the key to getting MIDI data into your
sequencer w/out having to draw everything on a piano roll.
3. What is your budget? Luckily. many manufacturers like M-Audio, Line 6, MOTU (Mark of the
Unicorn), and Presonus make relatively inexpensive interfaces. Even better, you can
normally find decent used gear on ebay or craigslist. For example, I have a Presonus FP10
that I got on Ebay for under $250. MSRP was around $400, I believe.
This link leads to a pretty good explanation of audio interfaces' features and benefits along with some recommendations. Some of the suggested models are a bit outdated but the manufacturers are mostly current so they should offer updated but similar models. PM me if you have any questions.
Consider three main things.
1. What type of connection to the machine would you like?
A. Firewire-Sustained High Speed Data Transfer Rates
B. USB-Faster than Firewire for short bursts of data transfer but slower for sustained data
flow
C. PCI(E)-Connects directly to the computer's internal bus/motherboard; some laptops
accept them through a card port-Fastest data transfer but isn't exactly plug and play.
They often require opening the computer tower and completing a hardware installation.
It's no tougher than adding RAM but still not as easy as connecting a cable from the
computer to sound card.
2. How many inputs/outputs do you need? Some soundcards have 1 in/1 out while others
have 10+ in/out. Are you recording guitar and vocals or an entire band? For most
computer based music, a card with 2 ins/2 outs and a MIDI in/out is acceptable. You can
use the audio ins for external instruments like keyboards, guitars, or turntables/mixers or
mics. I suggest at least 2 audio inputs so you can record stereo signals from things like
mixers or electronic drums. The MIDI in/out is the key to getting MIDI data into your
sequencer w/out having to draw everything on a piano roll.
3. What is your budget? Luckily. many manufacturers like M-Audio, Line 6, MOTU (Mark of the
Unicorn), and Presonus make relatively inexpensive interfaces. Even better, you can
normally find decent used gear on ebay or craigslist. For example, I have a Presonus FP10
that I got on Ebay for under $250. MSRP was around $400, I believe.
This link leads to a pretty good explanation of audio interfaces' features and benefits along with some recommendations. Some of the suggested models are a bit outdated but the manufacturers are mostly current so they should offer updated but similar models. PM me if you have any questions.
junglejuice
Bluelight Crew
I don't have any specific recommendations but I would advise against FireWire due to it going by the wayside. USB is more universal. I would also look on craigslist. People are constantly selling cheap audio equipment on there.
:D
:D
slef
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2007
- Messages
- 1,018
I've used one of these for maybe something like 2 years and have had no issues. Has a supposed "advanced" midi driver which results in tighter MTC and machine control, which has been great for me syncing my external sequencers to Logic. With that being said it's also perfectly suitable for patching in synths and controllers.....fairly cheap too.
slef
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2007
- Messages
- 1,018
ebola?
Bluelight Crew
This advice is already very useful. I won't really be purchasing until I get home from break. Really, I will only be transferring from keys and possibly a control wheel into Reason, my sequencer.
ebola
ebola
slef
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2007
- Messages
- 1,018
ebola?,
fwiw Emagic midi interfaces play super nice with Apple, Logic, etc. after all it was an Apple product at one time I believe? A unitor or amt8 were originally what I was after prior to purchasing that cakewalk one I mentioned above.
Incredibly tight midi timing.....something like 4ms? Might be more than you're looking for but then there's the amt4 etc. Also, great interface.
might just have to go on the hunt again
forgot to mention, if you hook up with any of their product it'd be 2nd hand and cheap as they're no longer produced.
fwiw Emagic midi interfaces play super nice with Apple, Logic, etc. after all it was an Apple product at one time I believe? A unitor or amt8 were originally what I was after prior to purchasing that cakewalk one I mentioned above.
Incredibly tight midi timing.....something like 4ms? Might be more than you're looking for but then there's the amt4 etc. Also, great interface.
might just have to go on the hunt again
forgot to mention, if you hook up with any of their product it'd be 2nd hand and cheap as they're no longer produced.
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