Anthony Flack wrote:Bump!I'm contemplating getting a small, 2 channel USB interface for using at home.I've been looking for something similar myself, for quick practice recordings and vinyl digitization. For the latter, I've been looking for something where the 2 ins are gangable to the same level control (probably in whatever helper software is included, not in the hardware itself) to ensure my eyes won't fool me into nudging the left or right channel higher than the other. I'm starting to believe this doesn't exist without getting into higher channel counts though.the good intersection of price / quality on the 2x2 interfaces looks like the Focusrite Scarlett stuff to me (which doesn't have SPDIF on the 2x2 model, but does on some of the slightly larger ones). Soundonsound review here.

numberthirty wrote:The problem being the line outs look like RCA.Why is that a problem? Unless you're running them a few hundred feet through a noisy environment, unbalanced line-level signals are fine.

The problem being the line outs look like RCA.

Nate Dort wrote:numberthirty wrote:The problem being the line outs look like RCA.Why is that a problem? Unless you're running them a few hundred feet through a noisy environment, unbalanced line-level signals are fine.Good point. I was assuming "Worst Case Scenario" for Flack's at home power situation.

brephophagist wrote:the good intersection of price / quality on the 2x2 interfaces looks like the Focusrite Scarlett stuff to me (which doesn't have SPDIF on the 2x2 model, but does on some of the slightly larger ones). Soundonsound review here.True. The 2i2/2i4 won't have an spdif out. For that, you will have to look into the 6i6/18i8/18i20.

For around the same price of the Focusrites with a digital out, there is also this Tascam -http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/US1800

Actually, Tascam does make a smaller interface with a digital out -http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-TASCAM-iUR2-USB-Audio-Midi-Interface-Phantom-Power-TRS-XLR-PC-iOS-iPhoneMac-/221537937276?pt=US\_Computer\_Recording\_Interfaces&hash=item3394b0a77c

Yeah, I'm quite happy with the pres on the Pro 40, so if they're the same ones that's ok by me. They seem pretty quiet and clean and they've got enough gain to drive an SM7.The Tascam is certainly cheap, but... only does 16 bit? Also if you use S/PDIF, the source device drives the clock, is that right? So if I use it with the Pro 40, it's going to end up being the source clock for the whole system. Maybe it would be best to stick with the Focusrite stuff...

Used MOTUs are dirt cheap.

I was talking to a friend about I/O the other day. He was talking about buying a new Mac Book and new firewire I/O and I suggested the build a PC and buy a PCI card based set up. The whole thing will cost less than the macbook if he gets used cards. Both Older MOTU and Pre-Digi M Audio cards are rock solid and cheap as hell on Ebay. I have am M-Audio Delta 66 Omni I/O that I have had since 1999 and it is still working perfectly (now that I sprayed De-ox-id on the power switch.) I just upgrade my motherboard/processor/ram every 3-5 years and keep on chugging. I have found USB and Firewire interfaces to have very short lifespans. I prefer PCI.