USB Interface Questions

[Sleepy_Time]

I'm recording a podcast with a co-host and I'm looking to upgrade my set up. We're currently using a single USB mic and the sound quality suffers some because of this. I would like to have a two mic set up, and from playing around with my laptop, it's looking like I'm going to have to get a USB interface. I've looked into some different interfaces, but since I'm a complete newbie, I don't really know what I need to be looking for. So, what would be a good, inexpensive interface for recording two guys speaking?

[Jeffsounds]

We would be better able to answer if we knew exactly what you need. Only 2 mic's? Easy enough answer. Just about any USB interface that will handle 2 inputs will do. I really like the Focusrite Scarlett series.

But you need to ask yourself if you are ever going to expand? Will you ever have more than one guest? Will you ever need more than 2 inputs? It might be better to plan ahead.

[urednik]

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

We would be better able to answer if we knew exactly what you need. Only 2 mic's? Easy enough answer. Just about any USB interface that will handle 2 inputs will do. I really like the Focusrite Scarlett series.

But you need to ask yourself if you are ever going to expand? Will you ever have more than one guest? Will you ever need more than 2 inputs? It might be better to plan ahead.

I've also started with a 2mic (preamp) interface, and ended with a 8preamp scarlett.

Having a 2/4 preamp:
Pros - it can also be usb powered, so you need no extra electrical cable if your computer battery is ok. It is smaller and portable.

Cons - you can not upgrade in a nice way, just adding another soundcard would complicate your workflow and there would be problems with clock etc. Sometimes bigger interfaces work better, have less electrical disturbance due to their bigger mass.

And finally never underestimate yourself getting perhaps a serious sound engineer sometimes. So start with a bit more you thought you ever need.

[Jeffsounds]

Originally Posted by urednik

Having a 2/4 preamp:
Pros - it can also be usb powered, so you need no extra electrical cable if your computer battery is ok. It is smaller and portable.

That can also be a con as it adds just one more thing to be traveling through the USB cable and could slow things and introduce latency.

[jerome_oneil]

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

That can also be a con as it adds just one more thing to be traveling through the USB cable and could slow things and introduce latency.

That's not how USB power works. Data is carried on a separate circuit from power.

[Jeffsounds]

Originally Posted by jerome_oneil

That's not how USB power works. Data is carried on a separate circuit from power.

Just something I heard last night while watching this video. Go to about 5:07.

Of course, it was about 4am and I had a MONSTER headache going on... not to make excuses...

[jerome_oneil]

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

Just something I heard last night while watching this video. Go to about 5:07.

Of course, it was about 4am and I had a MONSTER headache going on... not to make excuses...

I can appreciate posting while hung over.

Pictures always make it better.

[Jeffsounds]

Originally Posted by jerome_oneil

I can appreciate posting while hung over.

Pictures always make it better.

Not hung over...haven't had a drink in years after a long battle... Just had one of those monster headaches that I get about twice a year and they just kick my ass...

So the guy was wrong then? Should I send my buddy, Vito to "chat" with him?

[Sleepy_Time]

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

We would be better able to answer if we knew exactly what you need. Only 2 mic's? Easy enough answer. Just about any USB interface that will handle 2 inputs will do. I really like the Focusrite Scarlett series.

But you need to ask yourself if you are ever going to expand? Will you ever have more than one guest? Will you ever need more than 2 inputs? It might be better to plan ahead.

The Scarlett 2i2 is pretty much what I am looking for. Since my original post, and after looking at the Scarlett interfaces, I got a good idea of what I should be looking for. I've also looked at Tascam 322 as a possible option. There is just a lot of products that seemed to fit what I need, so my initial concern was buying too much or not enough, or buying a crappy product.

As far as planning ahead, I would like to eventually have a set up where I can have more mics. But as of right now, I don't have a permanent place to record. I go to my co-host, but I also do all the editing of the show. So, mobility is a factor.

Anyway, I appreciate the incite and all of ya'll's help with my ultra-newbie question. I have a much better idea of what I should be looking to accomplish what I need.

[partonkevin]

I have a Tascam US-1641 8 channel interface, similar to the US-1800. It's cheap and works well. I also have an ART USB Dual Pre that I picked up for about $50. It allows 2 individual mics to be recorded on individual tracks. I haven't tried it, but apparently you can and extra Dual Pre interfaces as your needs grow and make them function as a single unit using ASIO4ALL to create an "aggregate device". This could get you going cheap and and extra inputs 2 at a time as your needs may grow.

[clepsydrae]

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

So the guy was wrong then? Should I send my buddy, Vito to "chat" with him?

That's a really interesting comment he made in that video. I've never heard of how that could be relevant, and it's strange to hear it coming from an "official" source like that... ("official" == Focusrite t-shirt :-) )

My understanding is that USB does use some data communication to negotiate the power needs of a particular device, so it's not like it's 100% relevant only to the power lines, but it's hard to imagine it making any kind of significant difference whatsoever to the "bandwidth" available to the device in general operation. I think you should send Vito over to chat with him and ask for a clarification or three. Maybe USB power negotiation really does involve a lot of chatter on the line...

Presumably the noise floor difference he mentioned has nothing to do with the data coming across on the connection but something relating to the change in power supply handling in the box that allows it to be less noisy when it doesn't use USB power (computer power supplies are notorious, after all). There's no way sending power over USB somehow corrupts the digital signal transferred in any way -- the USB standard would obviously useless if that was the case.

[clepsydrae]

Hey -- one request for all podcasters out there -- when you set up to do an interview, please don't find the reverbiest room in the building with bare drywall everywhere because it "has the best sound".

Use the deadest, shag-carpet-on-the-walliest, least-reverby room you can find.

You will be doing the internet a great favor. :-)

Oh, and keep the pace up. Podcasts are so often interminably slow. :-)

Sorry, done now.

[Jeffsounds]

Originally Posted by Sleepy_Time

The Scarlett 2i2 is pretty much what I am looking for. Since my original post, and after looking at the Scarlett interfaces, I got a good idea of what I should be looking for. I've also looked at Tascam 322 as a possible option. There is just a lot of products that seemed to fit what I need, so my initial concern was buying too much or not enough, or buying a crappy product.

I would go with the Focusrite. Why? Because one of their support guys hangs out here and is VERY helpful whenever there is a problem.

I've never seen that kind of support from ANY other company other than Cockos...

[dingdongditch]

Couldn't be happier with my Focusrite 18i8.
Rock solid interface.
Buy with confidence.

[karbomusic]

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

Just had one of those monster headaches that I get about twice a year and they just kick my ass...

Used to get those and man they sucked. At one time it was twice a week, then twice a year and now, haven't had one in 5 years or more. I can't tell you how glad I am I outgrew them or whatever stopped them.

[Jeffsounds]

Originally Posted by karbomusic

Used to get those and man they sucked. At one time it was twice a week, then twice a year and now, haven't had one in 5 years or more. I can't tell you how glad I am I outgrew them or whatever stopped them.

Wish I would outgrow them... funny... I never had one when I was drinking...

[audioguy_on_ca]

Originally Posted by partonkevin

I have a Tascam US-1641 8 channel interface, similar to the US-1800. It's cheap and works well. I also have an ART USB Dual Pre that I picked up for about $50. It allows 2 individual mics to be recorded on individual tracks. I haven't tried it, but apparently you can and extra Dual Pre interfaces as your needs grow and make them function as a single unit using ASIO4ALL to create an "aggregate device". This could get you going cheap and and extra inputs 2 at a time as your needs may grow.

Yes, it could get you going cheap, but you'll run into problems with intra-converter latency:
there is a SLIGHT delay with every different brand of AD converter chip, and when you start to mix them up like that (unless you're absolutely, positively sure the manufacturers and drivers are the exact same), you'll run into audio phase issues if you should ever split stereo tracks between the different interfaces...and I'm not 100% on how ASIO4All's clocking scheme is, but if 2 different converter sets are running independant digital clocks, those alignment (rather than scaring y'all with the word SYNC) issues will be exacerbated.

[jerome_oneil]

Bragging rights: I have Ajay Bhatt's business card in my wallet.

[partonkevin]

Originally Posted by audioguy_on_ca

Yes, it could get you going cheap, but you'll run into problems with intra-converter latency:
there is a SLIGHT delay with every different brand of AD converter chip, and when you start to mix them up like that (unless you're absolutely, positively sure the manufacturers and drivers are the exact same), you'll run into audio phase issues if you should ever split stereo tracks between the different interfaces...and I'm not 100% on how ASIO4All's clocking scheme is, but if 2 different converter sets are running independant digital clocks, those alignment (rather than scaring y'all with the word SYNC) issues will be exacerbated.

I hadn't thought about this. The "alignment" could very well be off. Years ago I tried to get more inputs by adding extra PCI sound cards to my computer. I finally got through the nightmare of finding "compatible" cards that would work together without conflict, but then I experienced a new problem. While trying to do 4-track tape dumps to the computer I noticed that my stereo "pairs" would drift. The longer the dump, the more drift. I finally decided that it was a "clocking" issue due to each soundcard having it's own clock source. I was able to overcome that by removing the crystal from one card and soldering jumpers from one to the other...in effect making a "master" clock. Ultimately it was just too much aggravation to experiment any further.

FYI, I was sometimes able to "sync" the drifting tracks by doing a time stretch after the fact. Still, it was very annoying.

[David@Focusrite]

Hi Sleepy_Time

You are always welcome to get in touch with your requirements, and we can discuss which Focusrite interface would best suit your needs. http://global.focusrite.com/answerbase/contact

Best,

[clepsydrae]

Originally Posted by David@Focusrite

You are always welcome to get in touch with your requirements, and we can discuss which Focusrite interface would best suit your needs.

Hi Dave -- any comment on that video's point that being USB powered frees up significant bandwidth? Just curious. Thanks, -c