M-Audio M-Track audio interface

[Sherlockmonk]

Hi everyone!

I've been playing guitar for quite a while now (that's not to say I'm a pro or anything) and I want to start recording my electric guitar on my laptop. I've done this before on my computer by just plugging the jack into the line-in port and using ASIO4all drivers with FL and Hardcore etc, but my laptop doesn't have line-in. Instead, I have to plug it into the microphone input, and this produces a lot of interference for some reason.

Anyway, to get to the point, I was looking at the M-Audio M-Track interface so that I could plug my guitar into it, and then plug that into my laptop via USB. Is this a good idea? Or is there a cheaper solution perhaps. Also, if it IS ideal to get the M-Track, would it work with the ASIO4all drivers and FL, etc? (I've never used an audio interface before, so I honestly have no idea if I'm asking something blindingly obvious).

I also appreciate any alternatives if what I just said is completely stupid or not worth spending $90 on.

Thanks in advance!

Ben

[Breed]

Microphones and instruments like guitars and basses have different types of cables and more importantly different impedance so they are not interchangeable. Thats why you were getting funky sound.

An audio interface would be a vast improvement of multiple aspects of your sound. Not just the quality of guitar signal going in, but also the quality of sound coming out of your computer. While an interface may not be the cheapest option for getting guitar directly into your computer it is usually the higher quality option.

If you need a cheaper solution you could use a product such as 'light snake' or any other small device specifically built for guitar to usb. That will cut the price in half, but the quality is less so and an m-track or other comparable interface would give you the possibility to do more in the future (suuch as multi-track recording, tracking, and pro audio device hook ups).

ASIO4ALL would still work, although the point in using an ASIO driver is lower latency and most interfaces come with their own proprietary driver that is even more ideal then ASIO4ALL.

Hope this helps.

[Sherlockmonk]

Thanks a lot! That was incredibly helpful. I think I'll try the M-Track because, like you said, it leaves room for versatility in the future, and the price isn't too much for good quality sound.

Thanks once again.

Ben