Small Portable Audio Interface

[bgreen520]

Hi All. First post, new to all this so go easy on me....

I spent 3 hours a day commuting on the train during the week. My new train hobby is messing with Ableton and trying to produce a track. I am nearing the end of my first project (currently around 30 channels). In the last couple of days I have started to get a lot of cracking and distortion in my headphones. I initially thought this was the cpu struggling but know believe it is because I'm using the on board laptop sound card and head phone jack and I need some sort of audio interface. Due to space restrictions on trains I am looking for something as small and portable as possible. Can someone recommend or point me in the direction of one ? Thanks, Brett

ps. If its of use I use a Samsung Series 7 laptop, Windows 7 (64bit), intel i5 (quad core) 2.4 and 8gb ram.

[Sarrova-Q]

http://www.thomann.de/be/apogee_duet_2.htm

Think this should be perfect for you!
But make sure it isn't the CPU and if you can't make your audio buffer size higher.
If your buffer size is too low (like 128 or less for some projects) you can hear crackling and distortion too.

EDIT! the Apogee is MAc only I think. If so, this is another really good option.
http://www.thomann.de/be/rme_babyface_silver.htm

RME and APOGEE are both top quality brands with really good interfaces.

[Szuumm]

Have you tried ASIO4ALL before you start spending money?

[bgreen520]

http://www.thomann.de/be/apogee_duet_2.htm

Think this should be perfect for you!
But make sure it isn't the CPU and if you can't make your audio buffer size higher.
If your buffer size is too low (like 128 or less for some projects) you can hear crackling and distortion too.

EDIT! the Apogee is MAc only I think. If so, this is another really good option.
http://www.thomann.de/be/rme_babyface_silver.htm

RME and APOGEE are both top quality brands with really good interfaces.

Thanks Sarrova - appreciate the effort but a little too pricey for me

[bgreen520]

Have you tried ASIO4ALL before you start spending money?

No. I'll google right away ...


EDIT .... downloaded and installed. Its made a big difference. Not perfect but A LOT better. Thanks Szummm

[twisted-space]

Focusrite VRM Box or NI Audio DJ 2.

[littlepig]

I have a Cakewalk UA-1G

http://www.rolandus.com/products/produc ... rentId=436

Had it a couple of years now and it has served me well

[asha.dan]

Have a look at the small echo audiofire also

[Evengy]

good interface, stable hard- and software = NI Audio Komplete

[kitekrazy]

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx

I think it's around $40. This is a very under rated unit.

[outsidesys]

If your laptop has an ExpressCard slot: Echo Indigo IOx

But it's not cheap.