Best (input) interface for guitar to notebook

Hey guys,
Just trying to figure out what interface I should buy next for the input of my guitar.
From what I understand, the expensive audio devices that have multiple I/Os are the best, but I'm actually looking for a device with single I/O, or even just input, as my output is taken care of.

At the moment I use a Behringer UCG102 Guitar Link. It does the job, but the amount of noise that comes through with the guitar, especially when using a distorted preset, is becoming unusable.

The reason I want a small device is because I have just modded my old FCB1010 to run a USB Hub within in, to not only convert to MIDI but also to fit in the board of an audio interface, now I just need to know which on to buy...

I read specs about Signal-To-Noise, and Input Impedance, etc, but don't understand what is the best.


I had in mind possibly M-Audio JamLab, or similar...

Thanks

 

The specs won't give you the full picture. What do you want to spend? I can help you with some recommendations as soon as I know what you have to work with.

 

Well preferably, as always, I'd like to go as cheap as possible Marc, but, of course, I dont want to scrimp on quality

thanks

 

Can you spend 200? There's such a difference between 100, and 200. If so, I'd look at the Fast Track, or Fast Track Pro by M-Audio, or the Audio Kontrol I by Native Instruments.

 

Rhys,
If you can muster up $50 more bucks, go for the Audio Kontrol.
I love it.
-J

 

What is the Noise like in both of these products?
With my current setup if I turn of Noise Reduction there is an extremely noticeable amount of it, if I could get rid of this it would be worth the money

I see the Fast Track (not Pro) and M-Audio's JamLab's inputs both have pretty similar specs, just the JamLab has just I/O, and no volume/gain control, etc.
Would it be safe to say this inputs would be the same quality but I'm paying more for the Fast Track for the other features *(that i wouldnt use anyway, as i'm planning to strip down the item and put the circuit board inside my modded FCB)

Any ppl with either product care to share their experience with noise?

Thanks

 

The noise is very low, and they have stated that the 3.1 update reduces noise on all the amps as well, so it's going to get better still. That being said, noise is a tricky one.

 

Ok thanks Marc.
And great! I read the algorithms are revised, so I can only assume some noise will be fixed.

Anyway, after reading a few reviews, I might go for the JamLab unless anyone recommends against it. I even read a review stating someone returned their Behringer UCG102 (the one I use atm) to get a JamLab, and that it was much much better/cleaner.

 

I use a presonus firepod and love it, the rig kontrol is a great controller but I like the additional outs the presonus provides. As far as a portable interface, there is a presonus firebox, which is a small version of the firepod and is bus powered I believe.