Hardware Buying Guide
From Guide
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What Do you Want to Record and What is Your Budget?
RiffWorks Standard requires an interface that plugs your guitar into a computer (ASIO device on Windows or a Core Audio device for Mac OS X) and you'll need a microphone if you want to record vocals. This is the hardware we recommend using with RiffWorks based on what you wish to record within certain price ranges.
Guitar Only $150 - $250
To record only an electric or acoustic guitar (with jack or pickup) using an interface that plugs into a computer - no vocals:
- Recording Software: RiffWorks Standard $129
- Audio Interface (No Mic Preamp): StealthPlug $99 or TonePort GX $69
- RiffWorks Standard with StealthPlug Bundle $149
Budget Vocals & Guitar $300 - $400
To record an electric or acoustic guitar with nice-sounding amp, vocals and any mic'ed instrument using an interface that plugs into a computer:
- Recording Software: RiffWorks Standard $129
- Mic Preamp Equipped Interface: TonePort UXI $129
- Dynamic Microphone: Sure SM57, SM 58 or Equivalent ($30-$100)
More on Recording with your acoustic in our forums and on About Home Recording.
Quality Vocals & Guitar $400 Plus
Record the above with higher quality condensor microphones (that require phantom power):
- Recording Software: RiffWorks Standard $129
- Phantom Power Equipped Interface: TonePort UX2 $199, PreSonus Inspire 1394 $199, or PreSonus FireBox $299
- Condensor Microphone: AT2020 $99, Neumann TL103 or equivalent Up to $1000
Learn more about Condensor Microphones from Wikipedia.
Other Recommended Devices
These devices have been tested and work well with RiffWorks Standard - others may work well also:
- IK Multimedia StealthPlug
- Line 6: GuitarPort, PODxt, PODxt (Pro Live, and POD X3 Live), and TonePort (UX1, UX2, KB37, DI-S/G and GX).
- M-Audio: FastTrack USB, FireWire 410, JamLab, MobilePre USB
- PreSonus: Inspire, Inspire GT, FireBox, FirePod
- Tascam US-122
See the System Requirements and full list of Recommended Hardware.
Note: RiffWorks Line 6 Edition works with Line 6 hardware only (GuitarPort, PODxt, PODxt (Pro Live, and POD X3 Live), and TonePort (UX1, UX2, KB37, DI-S/G and GX) and is keyed to one device at a time. RiffWorks Standard is compatible with those Line 6 devices plus many other ASIO and Core Audio devices, and it is a stand-alone app that is not keyed to hardware.
