What are some good brands for interface/recording software?
 

I'm looking to record my music (guitar and vocals) on to the computer. I did some research which suggested that I need something called an 'interface' to plug my equipment into, and some kind of recording software. I was told I don't need a mixer because that will be on the recording software. I was also told that interfaces usually come with their own software, and they often don't work with other programs.

So I want to know, what are some good brands for interface/recording software? Is it best to buy them in a package together like that, or seperately? I ask that because there might be some interfaces that don't require you to use specific recording software, and for all I know that might be the prefered way to go. What do you think?

Someone told me I should go with 'PreSonus Audiobox USB', but I wanted to get other people's input first.

Thank you

Don't everyone rush to reply to this post at once now.

Yeah, M-Audio has a good interface. You don't get much lag when recording and it's crispy clear.

Presonus, M-Audio, Echo... all good affordable interface brands on their low end lines. Presonus and M-Audio will come with software, but they'll be limited editions. M-Audio will come with some Pro-Tools software, and Presonus, I dunno... maybe Cubase.
Really, your choices need to come down to which interface gives you all the options you need, but maybe have some scalability in terms of supporting any possible additions you may want to make in the future. If you're not worried about that, you should be ok with any 2 channel interface with preamps by any of the manufacturers I mentioned and have everything you need. And, with 2 channel interfaces, you'll probably be connecting with USB, so apart from microphones, stands and mic cables, you shouldn't need to purchase anything else.

Try the Line 6 POD Studio UX1 or 2 depending on whether you need phantom power and a few other bits. Good bit of kit.

i've got the Line 6 pod x3 live and you can use that as a sound card which has phantom power!


on another note.

go with m-audio.

it really depends on budget and even your computer; what are yours? If you have a mac and garageband, that'd be fine for now, and an apogee one is all you need for just starting. M-audio makes great interfaces, but as your first it is probably the one that you'll have for a long while, I'd say spring for the best you can get. As far as DAWs go, I don't think any of the main ones are really much better or even cheaper than the other, though there is a free DAW called reaper (which I have very limited experience with) that has a hardcore following. So, if possible, maybe you should try that DAW and use the extra money for a better interface.
Oh, DAW is Digital Audio Workstation, which is the software you'd use.

Oh, it isn't free, but you can try it out before buying, and the $60 version is still cheaper than $99 logic express.

price wise, m-audio fast track or line6 ux1 are winners. they also bundled with free recording software (Ableton Live) and guitar and MIC effects

M Audio are good - I have an Avid interface and got it with Pro tools SE included for $100 whereas your asking a lot more to upgrade to a higher version.

M-Audio and Line 6 are the good stuff.

There are also small 1 input usb mixers, you can synchronise with your software. If going for a bigger amount of instruments, try to find similar ones but with more inputs. Be sure to get those which can be synchronised with your software by USB. If you get an analog/non-usb interface (mixing desk), you'd need to get an extra hardware for it to record several instruments separately.

Once I got an analog one and it was a waste of money ^^