recording question

[beachjammer]

What's the best, cheapest way that you guys are recording? I got a Behringer guitar interface unit that came with a Native Instruments guitar combo pack and some recording software. I have it on my laptop which is only just over a year old but I'm experiencing latency issues and can't figure out why. I'm wondering if I could use a Line 6 POD of some sort and run it straight in my computer via USB instead of using my computer to do both the guitar tone and recording. Any suggestions?

[Nightbat]

Set up a dual boot system, one with your usual programs, games, porn.
the other as clean as can possibly get, switching off any windows services you don't need

[Mazrim]

The Line 6 UX toneport was a cheap and suprisingly good recording device and I had no latency with it.
I'm using an Eleven Rack now but for a cheap solution you cant really go wrong with a toneport.

They've just brought out the HD Pod too if you can stretch a bit further.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

Unless you tweak your computer out for recording you are going to experience all kinds of latency and dropout issues. Lowering your recording interface's hardware buffer size will reduce latency but taxes the system more and if not properly tweaked out will not perform properly.

Any decent firewire interface will preform worlds better than any usb device. For tips on tweaking out your computer for recording start here:
http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/...ation&-find=Go!

I prefer Pro Tools but every system has its pro's and con's. Apple's Logic probably has the best bang for the buck but Pro Tools is the most common therefor if you want to know how to do something in PT there are a million youtube vids on almost every aspect of software.

[Mazrim]

"Unless you tweak your computer out for recording you are going to experience all kinds of latency and dropout issues."

That's not really relevant with a toneport UX2 as it will replace your soundcard and has practically zero latency, does all the processing itself and so you dont need a powerful PC to use one or even adapt it to recording particularly. A very good option on a budget.
I used one with Reaper (which I recommend, very cheap if you choose to pay for it) with good results.

Again, with the Eleven rack there are no latency issues as it does all the processing itself and takes the PC largely out of the equation.
Sure, if you're after an interface to mic record an amp or something then Firewire may be the way to go. But I sense that beachjammer might prefer to go the USB amp/fx modelling route. I could be wrong.
For me I have to use one because noise where I live is an issue. In an ideal world I'd mic up a wall of Marshalls but, alas.

In which case the cheap option is a toneport, then maybe a Pod HD bean or HD500, moving up in price is the very natural sounding Eleven rack and then if you've found a stash of Nazi war gold - the Axe FXII which is changing hands at silly prices now (due to demand) but sounds awesome and is direct USB compatible. There are other options but I'm not au fait with them.

To be honest, I got some great tones out of the UX2 Pod farm stuff and still listen back to old mixes with suprise at how decent they were. You have to do some tweaking and post recording stuff in your DAW for them to shine and the presets are typically awful but its a great little unit and very usable. Plus theres a lot of online community support for these things.

[beachjammer]

You're right Mazrim, I'm looking for a unit that will do the processing itself and mainly use my PC as the recorder. I've looked at the Eleven Racks but I'm not to that point yet. I'm mainly looking for something just to lay down ideas so I can keep them on file and present them to the rest of the band members. I've been looking at the Digitech RP500 and a Zoom G9 Twin Tube unit. It'd be cool to have something that I can also use for other stuff through an amp but that's not a necessity. I'm going to look into this POD UX2.

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

[beachjammer]

Well I found a UX2 really cheap so I'm gonna give it a try. THanks again!

[VitaminG]

check out the JamVox. Neat little unit, lot of fun. Very tweakable. Fire it up, load up your recording software, Go!

[Hellbat]

The UX2 will do exactly what you need and is capable of some good tones. If you are looking for a cheap and easy to use program to record your stuff with it, check out Mixcraft.

[bratfink]

I got a cheap Peavey USB board and a 5 year old XPS laptop with way too much crap loaded on it. I don't seem to be suffering from too much latency, admitedly I'm not bringing in a lot of channels as of yet. Perhaps it'll all go wrong as soon as I do.

[FlyingSkull]

What's the best, cheapest way that you guys are recording? I got a Behringer guitar interface unit that came with a Native Instruments guitar combo pack and some recording software. I have it on my laptop which is only just over a year old but I'm experiencing latency issues and can't figure out why. I'm wondering if I could use a Line 6 POD of some sort and run it straight in my computer via USB instead of using my computer to do both the guitar tone and recording. Any suggestions?

Have you tried the ASIO codec? http://www.asio4all.com/
When I have tried some USB recording devices it did much better than the standard Windows drivers/codecs, as far as latency is concerned. It's free and worth a shot.

USB 1.0 has more than enough bandwidth for simple recording.
USB2.0 is more robust than Firewire 400, although Firewire 800 is teh bezt I believe.

[beachjammer]

The Behringer unit I've been trying to get working uses the ASIO codec.

[mjtripper]

If you don't need the mic preamp of the tone port ux1 try the gx version instead - it's the same thing but without the mic pre so it's even cheaper but for the purpose of direct guitar or bass performs the same. You get the same version of pod farm with all three - the gx, ux1, and ux2 so you aren't giving up anything on the software side. If you don't like pod farm try the free limited versions of amplitube or guitar rig.

[beachjammer]

Can you use the tone port with the Native Instruments stuff?

[Mazrim]

I dont know but I doubt you'll need to. The POD farm stuff will get you there I think.
Its not pro qualiy but there isnt much you cant get close enough to and that sounds like all you're after.