Decent, affordable USB 2.0 audio interface?

[EricKillsTime]

I'm looking for something to record songs/ideas on my laptop with some decent quality for (relatively) cheap but the reviews seem pretty mixed and I'm kind of paranoid about latency and the quality of the preamps. Here's what I'm looking at:

Tascam US-144
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-US144-USB2.0-4X4-Audio-Midi-Computer-Interface?sku=242193

M-Audio Fast Track Pro
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Fast-Track-Pro-Mobile-USB-Audio-MIDI-Interface?sku=241710

Line 6 POD Studio UX2
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-UX2-with-PF?sku=250004


So I'm looking for something along those lines (phantom power, easy to set up, etc). Any opinions or other suggestions would be appreciated.

Mic-wise, I'm think of getting an AT2020 condenser and a SM57. I basically just want to record acoustic guitar, vocals, and a little bit of electric guitar. Would those be good choices?

Edit: I have Vista on my laptop, if that matters when choosing one.

[Yontsey]

Do you by chance have firewire on your laptop?

[EricKillsTime]

It's only a 4 pin port =|

[Yontsey]

You can buy a 4pin-to-6pin adapter. I would highly recommend a Presonus Firebox for you. Firewire is much better then USB to record. Check ebay, you can get some great deals on them. Also check over at harmony-central.com

[EricKillsTime]

If I got a firewire interface and the 6-to-4 converter, it would require a separate power source right?

[Yontsey]

I believe so, but if I remember correctly when I had my firebox, it came with an AC power supply.

[Esrb99]

more important than fw versus usb or anything, how many tracks do you want to record at once? one? guitar, then vox, then handclaps, etc? two? what about a full drum kit? If possible, I suggest going for a minimum 8 channel interface, such as the presonus firestudio project. while they retail higher than some of the ones you listed, I bought mine off ebay for $160ish shipped. add in the fact that they can be daisy-chained via firewire and each channel has direct outs (for use with analog mixing boards and such,) it was well worth the price.

[EricKillsTime]

I really don't need much. I'm just going to be recording one, maybe two tracks at a time. I don't even have the resources/time to do full band stuff. Plus, this is my first foray into recording outside of using the built in mic on my laptop, so I'd be happy just having semi-decent quality recordings.

[rawkandrowl]

Out of the ones you posted the Tascam is by far the best.

Check out my blog on this similar Tascam: http://www.rawkandrowl.com/?p=156

[Bruised26]

i would get the alesis multimix. its so much better than any other m-audio fast track product ( i own both, and always use the Alesis). its only $179 from Sweetwater and works great. highly recommended!!

[miketrondson]

If you're just starting out and have a basic idea of what's going on, the Fast Track USB is solid.

[Esrb99]

if you decide on firewire, then the utmost importance is price for audio conversion level. preamps aside in all interfaces, your best bet would be the Apogee duet or solo- the Analog to digital converters are exceptional at the price (under 400 I believe.) however, apogee is mac only for those. the next best would be (IMO) the Echo audiofire 4. at $299, you get 4 inputs and outputs- 2 inputs with fairly uncolored preamps that accept 1/4" or xlr inputs, and the conversion is top notch. I personally am planning to get 2 audiofire 12's (They are converters only) to connect to a 24 channel console.

[ninthandash]

Fasttrack Pro is great. I've used that and have never had any problems with it. Just make sure you install the ASIO drivers if you're new to digital recording haha!