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Looking to replace my aging pc and will also have to retire my 15yr old terratec DMX fire soundcard.
Can't afford a high end device, so mid range would be the option. I'd rather an external one this time. Have been looking at various audio interfaces on amazon such as Behringer and tascam. Any thoughts ?
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Howdy Graham. I would avoid "Behringer and tascam" like the plague. Have a look at the Focusrite series of USB's. Rock solid drivers and mic pres. http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces You might even get a better deal on them, since they are based in the UK. Regards, Bob
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Graham, how many inputs do you need? If two will do, I recommend the PreSonus AudioBox USB. Mine has proven reliable for over three years. The price has recently been dropped, and many bundled packages are available. Good luck with your search!
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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I'm very happy with my Focusrite interfaces. The link posted above shows the whole line so you can choose the one with enough inputs. I'm presently using the 18i8 on my main machine and the 6i6 on my laptop.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Focusrite.... what else needs to be said?
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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I'm happy with my focusrite Scarlet 8i6. When you look for your pc, see if you can get usb2 ports as well as usb3. My laptop only has usb3 and although officially downward compatible this is not always the case. Also any usb1 components you may have will not work on usb3. There are not many usb3 sound cards out there, and not only are they expensive, but for the home recordist overkill.
Chris
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I would have thought that firewire was on the way out.
Chris
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I too would have thought the same Chris
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It looks like focusrite are after Apple users with their firewire/thunderbolt approach.
Quote:
*All of Focusrite's FireWire interfaces are now fully compatible with Thunderbolt using simple FireWire to Thunderbolt adapter (not included). Focusrite fully supports the use of Thunderbolt with our FireWire interfaces. For more details visit the answerbase or read our compatibility article.
Chris
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Fire wire is going the way of the dinosaurs. So get a USB based interface.
A good interface will give you the audio and midi inputs that you will need plus the outputs you need.
Some of the newer keyboards (midi) have a USB output and if that's the kind you have, you don't need the interface to have midi inputs.
My Focusrite has 2 audio inputs both low and high impedance, a midi in/out 5 pin connector, and 8 audio outputs that are all assignable.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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I just got rid of a firewire card, since it was a nightmare in Windows 8.1 (Microsoft left out the legacy firewire driver, but it was worse than that).
FYI, the Saffire line and the Scarlett line are quite similar; the main difference is firewire versus USB.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Agreed with others. USB over firewire. Also make sure you have the inputs/outputs you want. I started with 6i6 and upgraded to 18i20 for not really a lot more money.
P.S. - I think Focusrite is out of the UK but they also have US operations.
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Some TASCAM interfaces work great - avoid the US800 like the plague and do not expect any reasonable technical support from TASCAM if you buy one of their lemons like the US-800. Other TASCAM products have a great legacy. Which will you get if you buy one? That's the gamble.
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Thanks for the input guys, I'm goin to go with the Focusrite, though havn't made up my mind on the model. Havn't bought the new pc yet, but will probably get one within the next few months
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I Have a Tascam DR07 sound recorder which is amazing. Recording level set at just 2, it'll record from the back of a large hall, giving crisp clear sound.
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I've been using Tascam products for 35 years (since the first Portastudio Model 144 came out). Rock solid gear. Their interfaces? Not so much.
Regards,
Bob
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I've been using Tascam products for 35 years (since the first Portastudio Model 144 came out). I had a nice Portastudio 4 track cassette unit in the late 80s. I loved it until I went digital.
Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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I've been using Tascam products for 35 years (since the first Portastudio Model 144 came out). I had a nice Portastudio 4 track cassette unit in the late 80s. I loved it until I went digital. I still have my Model 144. Bounce, bounce, bounce!  I also still have my old Tapco Model 6000R, which was the first mixer Greg Mackie ever designed. Still works. Regards, Bob
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Stock photo of the 424 I had. Sold it in the 90's. 
Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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