Karaoke Forums

I am looking for a good quality audio interface (to do karaoke recordings on my pc). I need the following features:

1. Low latency recordings, no latency sound monitoring capability
2. Good quality real time effects; Reverb, Compression and EQ
3. DSP hardware in the interface is preferred than pure software option
4. 2 mic inputs (will do duets as well as solo songs)
5. Easy to use software (have no idea which is good, cubase, sonar, pro tools etc)
6. Firewire is fine but USB 2.0 would be great

My budget is around $400. (for both the interface and the software). would appreciate your help.

The only thing I'm aware of in that price range that appears to meet all of your requirements would be this:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=241806

I have an M-Audio Delta 66 attached to my desktop and it's served me well for years. I have no direct experience with the quality of this unit though.

There's no mention of bundled software, but go download a copy of Reaper ( http://www.reaper.fm/ the reviews on this are NOT hype!), and you'll hit pretty close to your target price.

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Dave's not here.

Nice to meet another reaper user moonrider.

I haven't delved into all the ins and outs of it yet. I mostly use it in the laptop for live band captures and on the spot rough mixes, but some of its routing and network options are *really* intriguing.

I really enjoyed your tutorials on using it as an "in the box" live mixer. I'd have never even thought to try that!

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Dave's not here.

Yah I really love using it in that capacity. Automagic crossfading rules, except on songs like Add it up where there's about 20 seconds of silence in the beginning, and a few others.

So on that fasttrack USB ultra, does it have built in effects like reverb?

The manual says this:

The internal monitor mixer includes a built-in digital signal processor which allows you to add reverb or delay to your
monitor mix. This is useful when overdubbing and setting up monitor mixes. Any input or software return channel can be routed to this internal DSP effects unit via the Control Panel.

Looks like it does . . .

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Dave's not here.

Thanks for your advice Moonrider. If the budget is higher say $600 or $700 would you suggest a different unit?

If it's higher go EMU 1616.

I am trying to compare the following interfaces. The price differences are not that important to me, of these I just want the best unit for doing good quality pc karaoke recordings

1. EMU 1616M PCIe
2. M- Audio Fast Track Ultra USB 2.0
3. MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid — FireWire / USB2

Seemes like with the EMU I have to first install the sound card into my PC, whereas the M-Audio and Motu are pure plug and play.

Basically I want good quality mic preamps, good quality and low latency effects- reverb, compression, eq and ability to monitor and overall ease of operation.

Thanks for your advice.

toqer nailed it.

The advantage of the PCIe is going to be far less latency.

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Dave's not here.