Hey there the more i read about these devices the more confused i'm getting , do i really need one ? i'm running windows xp media centre edition and have ableton live 7. Now i know that m-audio interfaces are not compatable with my system all i want to do is have a way of getting the sound from my laptop through my hi-fi speakers ! or do i need proper monitors aggghhhhhhh soooooo confused ! ALL ADVICE MOST WELCOME ! before i go into my local music store and make an ass of myself

All laptops have a speakers output, probably you jus need a small 1/8" plug. If your monitors have a 1/4" plug, you'll just need a 'cheap' converter piece from 1/4" to 1/8".

Then all you need to do is plug it into the audio output of your laptop. No need for an audio interface.

Audio interfaces are usually mostly useful for recording sounds into a laptop or PC. Advantage of having an audio interface is have loads more outputs and inputs, some also come with limited but very compatible software so you can use it to it's full extent. That's obviously useful.

Thanks for the quick response do you really need monitors ? what i was planning was to run rca cables from my hi-fi amp into the laptops mic 1/8 input as that would save my buying monitors (cash is an issue here) scared to try this though in case i damage my laptop. cheers

That should work fine. Just make sure volume on your hi-fi is down whenever you plug in or plug out cables and turn it on in the right sequence.

Laptop on, speakers on, speakers off, laptop off. If I recall correctly.

cheers man will get the cables at the weekend and give it a go not really got the cash to splash on an interface , and sounds like i don't really need it anyway !

chummslick, maybe i'm late, but where do you record your stuff? is all internal in your pc? if it is so, don't worry about audio interface, you don't need one. if you you have to make some show, instead, this is useful to connect to a mixer or smomething in a pub or a public place. also, if you like to record IN your pc form the outside, the audio interface is almost a must.
m-audio fast track pro is one of the cheapest that works ok, not the best, but for its price and the price range is ok; the edirol of the same range than m-audio fast track is also ok. i have one fast track pro. it's ok, but a little bit limited for a more professional use. but for working alone with only one gear it's ok.

if you want a professional one the price is far cheap ....

MOTU 2408 Mk3

fireface 800

fireface 400

focusrite sapphire 56

tc electronics studiokonnekt 48

...but with one of those you have really one professiional stuff


peace

If you do go for an interface and want one cheap this will do fine....

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-U-CONTR ... B000J0IIEQ

I use it and its works great....plays music from my laptop on my speakers and i record my beats through it..

hope that helps

Hi this is what i have been doing samples on the 404 i transfer to my digital 8 track synth i record straight onto the 8 track , then i use the usb to transfer the wav files into my laptop ! . From there i open them up in ableton 7 and finish the job there !, trouble is i can only listen to it through the built in speakers on the laptop what about a mixer would that be a solution yours a very confused chummslick lol.

Jmoki thanks that behringer might be the answer i'm looking for mucho thanks i'll look into it and keep you posted

Dont mention it

The behringer interface will play whatevers coming out of ableton out to your speakers, ones other than your laptop ones....you might have to change the audio settings in ableton but that easy...

hope this helps too

Just picked up a Presonus Audiobox USB last week. Sounds pretty nice to my ears.

http://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-AudioBox ... 896&sr=8-1

i have a question about audio interfaces too. i have the m audio fasttrack running into sony acid and my laptop is running vista. whenever i record something into it it only comes in one channel. like its only coming in on the right side, and just silence on the left side. any ideas? thanks!

Are you recording from stereo inputs? The mic/instrument input on the Fasttrack is mono.

i could be wrong but you might want to check to see if your cable is Stereo
2 black lines = stereo
1 Black line = mono

so what kind of cables would i need to record the 404 / a guitar into it so it comes in stereo?