[Audio Interface] Is my best bet the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2?

[DanielJ]

I'm planning to get an Audio Technica 2020 or Studio Projects B1 condenser (for use with my computer), and after doing some research I'm not sure on which audio interface to pick. Behringer has a bunch of cheap mixers; some even have USB. They have a lot more inputs and outputs than the Scarlett 2i2, but some cost half as much (if not less). First off, I'm going to assume (please tell me if I'm wrong) that a USB connection is the best bet sound-quality wise, so I won't bring up mixers like the Xenyx 502 that can only be used with a Y-cable connection to the comp's line in/outs. The Behringer qx1002usb is an audio interface and a mixer as well, but would it result in worse sound quality than the Scarett 2i2? It has WAY more features, but costs 40 bucks less. Basically, my question is would I get lower quality from my mic if I use it through something like a UMC22, M-audio M-track, M-audio fast track, or a mixer w/ usb interface instead of the widely-popular Scarlett 2i2?

 

[getochkn]

Yes, USB is the best to use.

The Behringer is cheap because it's cheap. It will sound worse. The Focusrite preamps will blow away the Behringers, no doubt in my mind. The M-audio's are decent, so is the Presonus stuff. They all have decent preamps in them, and that is the first thing the sound from the microphone hits. If it's crap at that stage, no plugins or anything else is going to help down the chain.

I'm considering the Presonus AudioBox studio. http/www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-Studio it's about $250 in the states. Headphone, box, Studio one software, mic and cable all in 1 package to replace my old Tascam USB Mixer.

The USB mixer thing seems nice at first. In reality, unless you are mixing 100 tracks and want a huge automated mixing board, you don't use it much. It's easier to grab the mouse and move the fader on the screen. My tascam sits buried half the time, just using it to get audio into the PC, don't use the transport or faders anymore. On-screen just seems faster.

 

[DanielJ]

Yes, USB is the best to use.

The Behringer is cheap because it's cheap. It will sound worse. The Focusrite preamps will blow away the Behringers, no doubt in my mind. The M-audio's are decent, so is the Presonus stuff. They all have decent preamps in them, and that is the first thing the sound from the microphone hits. If it's crap at that stage, no plugins or anything else is going to help down the chain.

I'm considering the Presonus AudioBox studio. http/www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-Studio it's about $250 in the states. Headphone, box, Studio one software, mic and cable all in 1 package to replace my old Tascam USB Mixer.

The USB mixer thing seems nice at first. In reality, unless you are mixing 100 tracks and want a huge automated mixing board, you don't use it much. It's easier to grab the mouse and move the fader on the screen. My tascam sits buried half the time, just using it to get audio into the PC, don't use the transport or faders anymore. On-screen just seems faster.

You should consider Focusrite Scarlett studio. It's the exact same thing (mic, cable, preamp, and headphones) but it has the scarlett 2i2 which is better quality than the presonus, and the included headphones and mic are really good too.

Thanks for the advice, I've decided to wait a bit more so I have enough money for the 2i2 interface, because it will be more worth it in the long run and probably have less technical issues.