Keep in mind that the interface is essentially the heart of your recording setup. In this case, and from what I know, you do tend to get what you pay for.

A good interface (aka: sound card) for a laptop will be an external interface connected by a USB cable. It should have 2 inputs minimum, run NATIVE ASIO drivers, and have phantom power. You also want to look for built in, quality pre-amps on the audio inputs.

The actual inputs and outputs will vary by the models and price you're willing to pay.

Using a nice interface makes recording a true pleasure. Many will have a software console where you can preset levels for input and output as well as some FX. Compression and verb and even EQ defaults.

Focusrite is a brand that you can count on for good quality and their preamps are legendary.

I use focusrite.

EDIT: if price of a new interface is a bit too much, look on Ebay or Craigs list and find a good one that someone is selling. Folks who upgrade to bigger interfaces will sometimes sell the old smaller one and you can save significant dollars on it. I got a practically brand new Line6 Pod 2 for half the price of a new one that way.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/18/15 02:44 PM.
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