Ed,
I think the interface will work with older machines.—as long as it has USB and runs the software.
Mine works on a 15+ year old Dell laptop, and a 10 year old MacBook Air.
7 Likes
I am about to jump down the rabbit hole of self recording. Which of these bundles would you guys suggest and why? Andy Rice at Sweetwater sent me these in response to my question about getting started recording. Also, how are you recording video?
none, you dont need a microphone to record bass, just an XLR or instrument out from your amp.
mic recording of a bass is not really practical and adds a LOT of complexity you don’t need.
and I dislike ‘bundles’ in general vs. buying good stuff of each type of thing.
nothing wrong with the focusrite for sure, not familiar with the others.
I believe they fixed the clipping issue in the 3rd generation - @Koldunya - didn’t you discover this?
4 Likes
I agree with @John_E you don’t need to spend much money.
$110 gets you a DAI to convert your bass signal to ones and zeros
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ScarSG3--focusrite-scarlett-solo-3rd-gen-usb-audio-interface
Buy a cheap tripod that will hold your phone and record on that.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PP1--benro-pocketpod-mini-tripod-and-handgrip
This is all I use.
3 Likes
I’m a cheap bastard. This may be the way I go.
2 Likes
Like others have said, I would invest in a DAI device, you can get something decent for just over $100.
2 Likes
All you need is an audio interface and a DAW. The audio interface will usually come with a license for the entry level version of a professional DAW; usually Ableton Live.
This is all you need.
4 Likes
and an XLR cable…and this paddle ball game, and this remote control
5 Likes
5 Likes
And a 1/4” to 3.5mm headphone jack converter and this ashtray
5 Likes
For people who want to be able to record themselves for practice purposes without getting into recording as a topic … it’s also possible to look for other devices with a USB out like headphone amps or practice tools rather than buying a dedicated DAI.
4 Likes
I use my laptop and OBS. I originally did it so that I didn’t have to bother with syncing audio to the video, but on my last video, I didn’t get audio with the video, so I had to do that, and it really wasn’t that bad (even without being able to use things like “auto-sync” or doing a clap in the beginning). So a phone and a tripod is probably just as simple…
3 Likes
It’s what I’ve read, yes.
2 Likes
I bring my stone on this wall:
I think it might cover most of you all questions:
2 Likes
I’ve just read that article. I don’t think you need a di box into your audio interface.
I’ve recorded directly with a passive bass and it’s never been a problem.
Also half the article is talking about using mics to record.
If this is meant to be a beginner setup then you probably want to stay away from mics.
Easiest and cheapest way is Bass > DAI > DAW.
8 Likes
Many of the smaller affordable DAIs will take an instrument input directly, but it isn’t guaranteed. It’s necessary to check the specs. An active bass is no problem. A passive bass won’t drive a regular mic input unless it has a high impedance switch or has been designed to high impedance enough to take a pickup as input.
6 Likes
Miking will not lead to great results unless you really know what you’re doing, and even then just going direct and using an amp/cab sim will sound better. Just stick to bass->DAI.
2 Likes
Thanks @DaveT I noticed that if toggle the ‘instrument’ switch off on my Focusrite DAI it’s a much different result.
So what they’re doing is changing the impedance?
5 Likes
Essentially, yes. Like, in the Canvas I just got, it has 2 transformers per side, the High-Z DI transformer, and the low-Z Line Isolator transformer (would be used with say, unbalanced synths, output of some modelers, etc)
3 Likes
In my case, I already have a Spark amp, I just download Reaper and I record with that setup
, simple and cheap.
Sometime I download a Drum Track from Wiki Loops and all that together do the job for me.
Mike
4 Likes