I'll be installing BIAB on a Windows 10 laptop. Will be using it as background for practicing only, not for recording or gigging, etc. What is a good USB interface to use with my laptop that I can plug my guitar into and have headphone output?
Bluetooth headphone output would be nice but not necessary.

I want something simple but will listen to all suggestions.

Thanks

Welcome to the forums!

I'm a fan of Focusrite products. I use one of their larger interfaces the 18i20, but here's a smaller one that would be a good start:

Scarlett Solo

There are a lot of other good brands out there too. You could browse an online store like sweetwater.com to narrow your searching.

If you're looking for something inexpensive, foolproof and keeps from putting too much of a load on your computer consider an external mixer with bluetooth, a headphone jack and built-in effects. A four input, four channel mixer like +++ THIS +++ is less than $50 US.

My nephew just got the Solo for Christmas and it is perfect for what you want to do.

OR you could use this if you want to use your laptop headphone output:

https://www.amazon.com/USB-Guitar-Cable-Interface-Compatible/dp/B07STTRGFW/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=guitar+to+usb+interface&qid=1610136524&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-5

Or this:

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCG102-Ultimate-Guitar-Interface/dp/B000PAPO9W/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=guitar+to+usb+interface&qid=1610136524&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-9

Thanks Steve,

Reviews on the Scarlett Solo look very good. I do have one question. Besides BIAB I like to watch some guitar lessons on Youtube, Truefire and play some over VLC media player. Will the Scarlett Solo allow me to play along with these and have it come out the Solo's headphone output rather than the laptop's audio out?

Is anyone familiar with the Apogee Jam Plus? It also has some very good reviews and works with Windows.

Frank

Thanks Jim,

Unit is reasonably priced but seems overkill for what I want to use. Too many inputs and controls that I would not be using. But thanks for the suggestion.

Frank

Another vote for the Scarlett Solo, thank you. It is at the type of my list right now.

Frank

i've got one of these and it works perfectly for mics needing phantom poer and for a guitar DI'd

https://www.inta-audio.com/behringer-u-phoria-umc204hd-usb-audio-interface-p8209/s8216?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=behringer-u-phoria-umc204hd-usb-audio-interface-zb863&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&gclid=CjwKCAiAxeX_BRASEiwAc1QdkbuOvbHxM19lT8BCoSfPJs1_OpcwWifbL6Et6KKtU_NjSnaSBbJuARoC1rYQAvD_BwE

as for playing along with youtube i let the video come over the pc speakers and play along with a practice amp. that means i can use my pedals if i want. lw tech solution but effective.

and just having got my amplitube 3 plugin back (free with BIAB) if you DI your guitar the sounds you can get with amplitube are amazing.

Thanks for the suggestion. I won't be using a microphone so the 2 mike inputs are not needed. Looked at the lower model Behringer with just one mike and read the reviews. The price is lower but I've decided to order the Scarlett Solo from Sweetwater.

Thanks for all the helpful info everyone!

Ditto on the USB interface. Doesn't matter too much what brand, although I do use a Focusrite myself. You can plug the guitar into it directly using a modeler or use a real amp and a mic. Either works well.


DO NOT buy one of those USB cord things for guitar. They are horrible and present other issues due to the codecs they use vs using ASIO drivers. You WANT to have an interface that uses ASIO.

Herb, I must disagree with you on your statement above. The 1/4" guitar plug to USB connection works really well for electric guitars or electric basses with computers using Windows 10. I have one such cable that I've used with this laptop and one my desktop. I also know of several musicians that use them at home.

I suspect that the difference between my good experiences and your statement might be because with Windows 10 the cable is plug and play. The cable uses a Windows 10 driver that is built-in to the operating system.

When I tried to use the cable in my older, XP system, the system had to go onto the internet to find a USB driver. I tried several XP drivers off the internet and they all experienced the same issue, distortion due to the input overloading.

I used the cable with this computer while it used Windows 7. Windows 7 had a built-in driver. The driver was better but it still allowed the incoming signal to overload and distort, just not as much.

My main issue with a guitar to USB cable is all the cables use 16 bit analog to digital convertors instead of 24 bit which is more commonplace today. My playing technique stinks so I prefer the luxury of having the additional headroom 24 bit offers.

just in case its not clear the behringer inputs take either a mic xlr lead of a guitar cable jack so you can just plug your guitar in

presume the same with the unit you have chosen

I'll double the suggestions of products like the Scarlett series mentioned above, though I would suggest getting at least the 2i2 as it allows for more flexibility than the Solo. On the 2i2 you can put 2 microphones in front of your guitar or amp, you can record a direct signal and a microphone signal simultaneously, and of course you can record 2 guitars at once.

Personally, I prefer at least a 4 channel interface, just for the creative possibilities. Acoustic guitar with live vocals - 2 mics on guitar, one on vocals, and guitar on a DI blended with mics, for example, just to record one person.

I use the Focusrite Scarlett Solo and can recommend it. I use it with a Mac but I have seen many use it on a Windows PC. I like the simplicity of it, small simple to set up and use, a lovely little interface and it sounds good.

I'm a big fan of Zoom products. Also have a look at the IKMultimedia interfaces if size is an issue.