#Audio interface and mic cheap drivers

Makes jobs like dual mikin my amp impossible as i always like to capture a DI signal too. But its a 2input which is useless for me. Its a 60db gain on preamps which is not ideal, it will struggle to record some of those hungry ribbon mics like the RB500, and even the 57 if recording a delicate classical guitar (which i successfully did using that apogee duetII), that duet you mentioned that i also own has 70db gain on preamps and will run any mic. I am a solo musician so at absolute most id only use 5 inputs at any given time but for instance its not just about the inputs on my scarlett 18i20, its the fact i can run 2 sets of monitors, i can re-amp much easier and leave the cable permanently plugged in. I wish i just went for a 8 input interface from the start.

But, in your case, I'd consider a 2nd mic on the cabinet, maybe a ribbon, and stick with the interface pres. It's better saved for a little better featured interface with separate LINE inputs. So you can get a couple more inputs that way, and most will also have ADAT inputs if you really need to expand.ДЄn expensive mic pre into a 'cheap' interface that goes through the combo jack is probably going through that interface's preamp circuitry. from another preamp, but most with 4 mic pres also have additional LINE inputs on the back panel that go direct to the A/D. I'd say probably all consumer interfaces will have combo jacks that allow a LINE level input, e.g. Yes, the number of mic preamps on the interface are probably the most important feature when you are counting input needs. I used my old Focusrite, low 50s of gain, if that, with the SM57 stuck in front of a 5' speaker to test some things and it was fine. To add on, and I hope not confuse, what others have said - any interface will be fine with the SM57 in front of a cab. If you want something cheaper take a look at Audient as they have decent mic preamps and most are also expandable via ADAT too. The Babyface is expandable via ADAT up to 10 input channels.

#Audio interface and mic cheap drivers

Good drivers and support cost money and I'd suggest going for RME if you are looking at something more expensive. There are other reasons to go for a more expensive interface besides sound quality. Make sure the spec includes the bandwidth (typically 20kHz) and termination resistor (typically 150-200 ohms) for the measurement as certain manufacturers fiddle with these in order to improve the spec on paper. A budget interface will have an equivalent input noise (EIN) of -120dBu while a good interface will have an EIN of -127dBu or lower. A better figure to look at is the input noise. In fact the gain figure for an audio interface is pretty meaningless as the signal is sent straight to the analogue to digital convertor which probably requires a different signal level to a typical line input.

On a guitar cab an SM57 won't need anything like 60dB of gain so you'll be fine with most interfaces.