Which sound card for basic recording?

[St0rMl0rD]

Hi everyone,

I'm switching from MacBook Pro (2009) to a MacBook Pro Retina 13" (mid 2014), and since I'm doing lots of music, I will need an audio input, which is not available on the new MacBooks anymore. Which sound card would you recommend? I'm looking for something with decent input, but nothing expensive.

-J

 

[F1Mac]

Hi everyone,

I'm switching from MacBook Pro (2009) to a MacBook Pro Retina 13" (mid 2014), and since I'm doing lots of music, I will need an audio input, which is not available on the new MacBooks anymore. Which sound card would you recommend? I'm looking for something with decent input, but nothing expensive.

-J

How many inputs do you need?

 

[Fishrrman]

To add to the post directly above, what kind of mics will you be using?

Do they have XLR connectors?

 

[ChrisA]

Hi everyone,

I'm switching from MacBook Pro (2009) to a MacBook Pro Retina 13" (mid 2014), and since I'm doing lots of music, I will need an audio input, which is not available on the new MacBooks anymore. Which sound card would you recommend? I'm looking for something with decent input, but nothing expensive.

-J

Just microphones, not guitar to keys inputs. What kind of microphones? You need to tell us how you would use this.

 

[polaris20]

While the OP is lacking in details, I would recommend the Presonus iTwo, which is affordable, sounds good, and works with both OS X and iOS. Does 1/4" as well as XLR mics with phantom power.

 

[ChrisA]

While the OP is lacking in details, I would recommend the Presonus iTwo, which is affordable, sounds good, and works with both OS X and iOS. Does 1/4" as well as XLR mics with phantom power.

There are quite a few good options at the $150 price point. Presonus "audiobox" is one. Focus rite has a competing product that is very good, maybe better. But it appears the OP has gone AWOL

 

[St0rMl0rD]

I just need two mono (or one stereo) inputs. Thanks, will look into those.

 

[ChrisA]

I just need two mono (or one stereo) inputs. Thanks, will look into those.

Sorry forgot the links, here they are.

One of the best price at $150 does 96K 24-bit
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett2i2

I thought this one ws $150 but the price is now lower. But it only goes up to 48K
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBoxUSB

 

[St0rMl0rD]

Focus rite has a competing product that is very good, maybe better. But it appears the OP has gone AWOLImage

Still here I will look into them a bit deeper after I get my MBP Retina.

Thanks guys!

 

[Thanks pal]

Presonus is good stuff.

Having said that. Spend your money on good mics. Your Presonus will work for a while until Apple updates OS X a few versions and then suddenly won't be supported. Buy inexpensive with the interface and spend plenty on the mics. If you lose interest the mics will hold their value.

 

[SimonUK5]

Presonus is good stuff.

Having said that. Spend your money on good mics. Your Presonus will work for a while until Apple updates OS X a few versions and then suddenly won't be supported. Buy inexpensive with the interface and spend plenty on the mics. If you lose interest the mics will hold their value.

What?! Decent Pre's and converters is massive important too... Obviously Mics make the most difference, but do not skip on buying a cheap interface.

 

[Thanks pal]

What?! Decent Pre's and converters is massive important too... Obviously Mics make the most difference, but do not skip on buying a cheap interface.

Sure. But what I see are people spending a couple of thousand on their computer and interface and having little left for a microphone. Note that I said inexpensive, not cheap.