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Comments
@miguelmarcos said:
That's probably true, but as I said, my goal is not to have a bunch of stuff active at one time. Not only do I not have a fixed workstation, but as you said, you can only use one interface at a time anyway. My point about the Alesis IO4 was that if it connects to the iPad via USB (and Camera Connection Kit), then there is no way to also connect a USB MIDI controller like the APK Mini 25. Right? The IO4 has traditional MIDI jacks, but not a USB MIDI jack like some newer ones.
The IO4 just worries me a little because while it seems to do everything, and people here are using it with success, I'm just not finding reviews anywhere (Amazon, Sweetwater, etc.) that are particularly good. Some people on Musician's Friend had nice things to say about it, but other people complained about driver issues (irrelevant here?), low gain, poor lightweight construction, etc. Not a huge risk at $60, but it reminds me a bit of some Behringer gear I tried that looked like a good value but ended up being worthless.
The Griffin StudioConnect, by contrast, looks like something that I could definitely get some use out of, but it's a half-measure in a lot of ways. Same problem with the lack of USB MIDI input and only a 1/4 instrument cable jack.
The Alesis IO4 sounds like the "swing for the fences" approach, as compared to the StudioConnect, which I'm sure to have some use for, and then I can try it with a microphone. Can anyone tell me if the Griffin StudioConnect is at least good as a guitar interface? I remember going from a JamUp Plug to the Apogee JAM and that was such a night-and-day difference in terms of eliminating noise. I'd hate to have to compromise some of that just to have a stand interface. Thanks.
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-M-Track-2-Channel-Portable-Interface/dp/B00BQ6KSN6/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t
What about this M-Audio M-Track product? This looks like a newer, nicer looking version of the same functionality. (About $75)
http://www.m-audio.jp/images/global/product_pics/big/m-track_angle_web_hero.jpg
(Are Alesis and M-Audio affiliated? This looks identical to the IO2 Express).
Blue Snowball. I've been using one for about a year and am very impressed by the sound and build quality. It can run on iPad power through the CCK if it's the only device plugged in. If you want to use other devices simultaneously you'll need to go through a powered USB hub. I use it for vocals, acoustic guitar and percussion. It's a little bulky but that's the trade-off for a large diaphragm condenser mic. Really great low end response which was important to me for recording percussion bass tones. Also has 3 different settings including an omnidirectional one. Definitely within your price range. Good luck and let us know what you decide on.
@Justajiva said:
This was what I ended up doing. I have no delusions that it will be as good as a quality condenser mic hooked up through XLR with an interface, but that's above my level of sophistication anyway. This is something I can pull out and easily hook up and use if I need it. Who knows, I may even find alternative uses for it on my computer.
Thanks for all the suggestions - I really would have liked to try some of the interfaces above (who knows, may end up with that StudioConnect anyway), but given that this fits my limited needs and costs all of $3.63 after gift card, the Blue Snowball seems like the way to go.
Hard to argue with $3.63. Good luck with it....
I'm going to argue: Behringer I-studio for $99 and a AT 2020 for 50 bucks that I found on guitar centers used equipment page. It's a better interface than everybody thinks. I had the $39 Griffin last year and switched.
$3.63! Nice work.
In case you turn to something similar in the future... you plug a USB hub into the CCK and then the Alesis (or whatever) into the hub. You can then plug as many USB MIDI controllers as you want into the same hub.
@NoiseHorse - Actually, that iS202 from Behringer looks very sleek. I did come across that once and thought it was pretty impressive coming from Behringer. I have trust issues with that company, though, for two reasons. One, I bought a PC interface from them and it was a freaking nightmare. I spent hours trying to figure out ASIO drivers and Audacity, and it still never really worked. I had better results plugging straight into a soundcard. This was before I "discovered" AudioBus and iOS music, and now I try not to ever look back! Two, their guitar pedals are inexpensive, but have a pretty poor reputation for quality. There's been a flood of Chinese knock offs that pretty much took over that bargain market anyway. You have me curious about the iS202, but I'd have to read and see a lot of positive things to make that leap. Feature-wise, it's spot on.
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-iS202-BEHRINGER-iSTUDIO/dp/B00CSKKZX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419968455&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+istudio+is202
Edit: Oh. I see that it is 30-pin only, unlike the StudioConnect and other 30-pin interfaces, there is no real physical way to "future-proof" it with a 30-pin-to-Lightning adapter. Bummer. I have an iPad2, but hope to upgrade in the next 12-18 months.
@syrupcore - Oh okay. I wasn't following you earlier, but even if I had been, I guess I just assumed that USB hubs didn't work with iOS and the CCK. Encouraging to know that could work though - I really like my little MPK Mini 25-key!
I have the apogee mic, very happy with it, plugs directly into my iPad, is portable and with great sound. They've made a 96kHz version of it, I have the regular version which I got at a discount, it includes both, 30-pin, lightning and usb cable. You may be able to find a good deal on it.
@StormJH1 the Griffin StudioConnect is great if you already have an old mixer laying around. That was my situation and I've had zero complaints the past 9 months. All mics and guitar/bass go into the mixer, mixer mains out to studioconnect. But that's a big if.
Also, it provides no USB connectivity.
@StormJH1 I have IPad4 and use a lightning adapter (that I covered with black tape for looks) I can vouch for its goodness, no problems in one year of use. MIDI keyboard in, AT-2020 XLR'd in, Guitar/Bass Hi-Z'd in, M-Audio AV40's 1/4"d in, headphones. IPad/Line in mixer knob for latency issues. Pretty good for $99.
@NoiseHorse said:
Cool setup. Okay, so it is possible to use the Behringer with a Lightning iPad. Not quite as practical as it is with a corded interface versus one that basically mounts the iPad inside.
The only other microphone I've ever owned is one of those plastic $10 Labtec you use with a computer 1/8" jack. The Blue Snowball is an easy setup, and should be a good inexpensive start to recording instruments (and vocals if I'm really brave) and seeing how that works in a DAW. If I really like it and have a need for "the next level", I can move up to more serious equipment.
@NoiseHorse That's a very substantial collar on the Beagle; sings too much?
It keeps her from running all over San Antonio (fajita hunting). She only sings harmony.