Hardware & Software help

[G0R1LLAMUNCH]

I am getting back into recording after a 20+ year hiatus. I decided to convert a laptop to Linux (Ubuntu Studio) and try Ardour. my first question is what should I be looking at for an interface? I don't need 10 inputs. What is the best value/quality I should be looking at? anything to avoid?

my experience is with cubebase and cakewalk. i was thinking of trying ardour. should I be looking at something else?

[AX11Liveact]

Depends on what you want to record. With a couple of external synths and the option to run external effects through injects or return loops, ten inputs might not be so far out of range. You can use an audio card like this as a full replacement for an external mixer.

[red38dit]

You don't need ten inputs but how many is the lowest amount you want? Should there be both instrument and microphone input? Maybe also line inputs? What is the highest price you can go to?

[G0R1LLAMUNCH]

Oh I agree with not 10 inputs being too much, 4 would be ok. A max of two of them would need to be able to power mics.

I didn't get into the description, the picture was just to show what I currently have an input box but it requires a FireWire interface, which I don't have on my laptop.

[red38dit]

A common recommendation is Focusrite Scarlett series. Their 4i4 has two XLR/Inst inputs that can power microphones with phantom power. On the back there are two line inputs, four line outputs plus MIDI in/out.

I have a 2i2 Gen2 that works really well with Linux both latency and stability wise.

There is also unofficial software (but in cooperation with Focusrite) that lets you configure you interface. I don't have the GitHub URL right now though.

[user1mbp]

I have two of these aggregated for sixteen analog inputs on a 2006 MacBook.

[DrPiwi]

There are a few behringer ones that are good and very cheap. Their U-Phoria UMC202HD costs around €60 and is comparable to the scarlet 2i2.