What exactly do you want to record? If you are recording 2-3 inputs at a time, then USB 2.0 is more than adequate. I have the Tascam US-122L and it is great for what it is capable of, which is recording 2 inputs at a time. And no, you don't get Cubase, you get Cubase LE, which works perfectly well, but you have a 2 plugin limit per channel. I've never used Tracktion so I can't comment on it. Lastly, I will say that I never plan on buying a recording interface or mixer from a non-major company again due to very limited compatability that is often an issue, so I say stick with a major company like Tascam or Yamaha, but that's just me. Good luck and God bless.

NCdan wrote: What exactly do you want to record? If you are recording 2-3 inputs at a time, then USB 2.0 is more than adequate. I have the Tascam US-122L and it is great for what it is capable of, which is recording 2 inputs at a time. And no, you don't get Cubase, you get Cubase LE, which works perfectly well, but you have a 2 plugin limit per channel. I've never used Tracktion so I can't comment on it. Lastly, I will say that I never plan on buying a recording interface or mixer from a non-major company again due to very limited compatability that is often an issue, so I say stick with a major company like Tascam or Yamaha, but that's just me. Good luck and God bless.

I'll be recording acoustic guitar/vocals on one mic and some electric guitar from direct input.

And isn't a 2 plugin limit per channel enough? I don't know what that exactly means.

As for a major company, aren't all of the ones I listed considered a major recording company?

I mean mega companies when I say "major companies." A person doesn't buy an electric guitar and upon trying it out with their amp discovers that the amp doesn't recognize the guitar signal and that only ___ guitar will work with ___ amp. But that is what happens quite often with the offerings from companies who don't have the money and resources to devote to compatability. I'm just saying be careful with what you get and make sure it is indeed compatabile with your OS and software.

The 2 plugin per channel limit is the number of VST effects you can gang up onto that channel.

However, Kristal has this limitation too. So I found a plugin to work around it.
[[url=http://[/URL]="link removed Vst[/]="link removed Vst[/].

The only disadvantage is you can only view 1 plugin window at a time and it is hampered with regard to MIDI.

Tapco is a Loud Technologies company AKA Mackie. Hence the inclusion of Tracktion software. It's fairly safe to say it will work with most systems. They don't have a 64 bit driver though so you can eliminate that from your list.

On another note. Please keep the postings to one thread. This is at least the THIRD thread you have on this very same topic. That's getting a bit ridiculous. One thread is enough and to be honest, I think you've gotten your answer more than thrice over.

But it's getting off topic! And people are filling up the thread, it's getting stuffy in here.

Well no one has given me a straight answer...
People are just saying what they have...

Buy the 5. Presonus Inspire 1394 Firewire w/ Cubase ($200.00). It's the best. Problem solved.

EVERYONE has given you a straight answer. The other two threads gave you a good answer. You want someone to hold your hand when you go to the store? Go there and pick one. You want a specific one? Get the Tascam. Why? It's common. It's popular. It comes with software. It has the drivers you need. What more do you want?

Where do you live? Would you like one of us to pick you up and take you to the store? You have to use your own money of course. And if you want me to come there you'll probably have to pay for my air fare.

I'm sorry but you've been asking the same question for three straight days or more and you've gotten several good options. It's up to you now to spend the money. No one here is going to do that for you, though many of us would love to spend your money.

apstrong wrote: Buy the 5. Presonus Inspire 1394 Firewire w/ Cubase ($200.00). It's the best. Problem solved.

No wait, don't.

Now I feel bad, because Hueseph just said everyone gave a straight answer. I didn't. The shame.

apstrong wrote: [quote=apstrong]Buy the 5. Presonus Inspire 1394 Firewire w/ Cubase ($200.00). It's the best. Problem solved.

No wait, don't.

Now I feel bad, because Hueseph just said everyone gave a straight answer. I didn't. The shame.

Just to keep you in the loop, there are at least two other threads by mr. ManchesterUpanda that address this same question.

A person shouldn't recommend a piece of audio gear without having used it - if they did, I'd doubt their judgement.

How can you know how a car handles without having driven it?

If everyone gives a solid opinion of the strengths and weaknesses of gear they use or have used then you can judge between them, but I guess you don't always get such a range of views.

All the gear at this price point is weak. That's why the OP just needs to get on with it. They will all handle like a 27 Chevy coupe attempting an F1 Rally.

Ok you asked, asked again, and asked a third time only to get pretty much the same response. I think what you need to ask yourself is how serious you are as a musician and what kind of results are you really looking for? If all you want to do is record a few things to show your friends what it is you are playing, or to have something to capture an idea you have for a song than any of these units will absolutely work.
Just a side note the Presonus Inspire does not have phantom power so it won't power condenser mics. If you are going to spend $200.00 on that, consider this unit at about $235.00 (after tax)
http://www.proaudiostar.com/servlet/the-3349/PRESONUS-FIREBOX,6x10-24-dsh-bit-96K/Detail
This has much better preamps and A/D converters than the group you have listed. It does have phantom power. It is 64 bit compatabile. It is the baby brother to the equipment I use.
I would not overthink this, this is entry level equipment, if you are playing a $300 guitar it won't make a damn bit of difference, if on the other hand you are playing a Taylor or Martin or something you might just want the box I just listed. Nearly everyone that starts out at this level and continues in the search of better recordings moves up to better equip. with more channels so this is not the rock on which a "studio" is built.

I think the answer is quite simple. The answer is... Well the answer is.... Any of them. Why any of them? Because any of them will provide you with similar results. What will make the biggest difference are your technique & capabilities. I make good recordings on junk equipment. I make great recordings on great equipment. Either way, I'm making good listenable recordings. So your choice is based upon the color of the unit. I like blue ones. Red ones are OK. I don't like is black & yellow ones as they remind me of bees. Gray is just too understated unless you have colored knobs. Dark blue & aluminum sounds good along with black & blue. Don't purchase anything green because everybody will think that you care more about the environment than the sound.

Recording with dark blue with aluminum & black with blue.
Ms. Remy Ann David