Takamine,

I have been using the PreSonus AudioBox USB for close to two years. You can't beat it for a compact, inexpensive, and rugged unit. It also comes with a bundled version of Presonus Studio One, an interesting piece of recording software.

It has everything I need unless and until I start making money at this: Two Hi- or Lo-Z inputs with level controls and peak indicators, separate volume controls for headphones and speakers, MIDI I/O, speaker outs, and a "Mixer" control which I have never used.

It has one quirk: It always wants to see the same USB port. If you unplug it and connect to a different port you may need to uninstall and reinstall the driver. Pretty minor, but I mention it for the sake of completeness.

The only thing I wish it had, but doesn't, is a S/PDIF output, which would allow me to use the Focusrite VRM, a device that provides virtual room/speaker combinations which let you accurately mix on headphones.

If you need more, all of the forum members' recommendations above are solid.

HTH,

Richard


Last edited by Ryszard; 02/21/14 01:18 PM. Reason: Corrected VRM mfr
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."