Originally Posted By: joden


USB interface is only really decent if using USB2, and even then can be subject to cracks pops and other noises due to the USB circuitry, not to mention ground loops if the laptop has an earth pin on the power supply. USB 1.1 is barely useable, but again acceptable if used in low-stress environments.

Most modern keyboards (apart from arrangers, and even then only the top models) have no audio interfacing of any quality afaic, apart from the odd XLR input. If I want to record mics I certainly would not be running them via noisy and lower grade pre-amps that are stuck into keyboards.


USB interfaces are the solution to cracks, pops, and audio drops. The problem is not the USB circuitry, but the factory sound card not being able to handle the load put on it by a DAW and the soft synths in the stuff we use.

I don't know of a keyboard that has a built in interface where you can plug in mics..... (and outputs for speakers?) to use it as an interface. I'm firmly against the gizmo gimmick interfaces that combine an interface with anything else. I've seen lots of folks come to a different forum with them having all sorts of issues.... nope, I'm not a fan of those things.

A good interface should run on USB, use ASIO drivers, have phantom power, a minimum of 2 channels with 1/4 and XLR jacks on each channel input, and built in pristine preamps..... That's all.... no mixer, no guitar fx, no nothing but interface..... of course, that's just my opinion.

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