Best budget usb soundcard for recording in 2022 ?

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

My final thoughts on this topic is never buy cheapest or the expensive - the best 'budget' is somewhere in the middle.
My final choice is PreSonus Studio 68c - can't find many videos with this exact model,but considering preamps are a step up from cheaper Studio 24c,which has this clean,transparent sound i was after,expect Studio 68c to do the job - don't need all inputs and outputs,but 24c has undefined preams probably limited or something XMAX-L instead of XMAX.
I am kind of fan of presonus since use Eris E5 monitors and probly wlll continue with this brand.
Cheers

[Maltinski]

I'd suggest also motu in your price range.. otherwise I was also lucky with a mackie onyx...

[HitEmTrue]

Using YouTube videos to judge the quality of a recording seems like a fools errand. I’m sure the presonus will do the job, as would the ones that were on you original list.

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

yeah agree,but already spend all the money for soft - bought amazing eq,comps and saturators so next year will try scarlett and studio cards and what doesn't disappoint me will be in use...
Old card still work fine with flexasio and i'm passionate about mastering now,so new soundcard isn't actually so important right now.
New year new luck
Cheers

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

The topic seems abandoned by kvr readers,but i still hesitate - have strong base for comparison and after listening so many demos my final choice will be:
1.SSL Solid State Logic SSL2
2.Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Both have interesting features like 4k v air 'exciter' button.
For the moment ssl2 sounds more convincing and 'pro' to me when 4k is included,but scarlett has amazing software pack,so still haven't decided:)
STOP THE ALCOHOL...
Cheers

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

After half year hesitation i finally ordered a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2,when arrive will comment more,these are reasons why i choose it:
1.ADC chip - 114 db dynamic range by manifacturer:
https://www.cirrus.com/products/cs4272/
2.Latency - 3-4 msec input is more than ok for budget card
3.AIR Mode - like the sound w s n
4.Best seller - 4.7 stars on amazon,the rating is from 43 000 users
5.Included software is so delicious

[BertKoor]

my motu 4x4 will be here wednesday

edit: and next spring and summer I'll have my outdoor studio thanx to this I think it will fit in nicely and the indoor studio should be in good shape by then.

I truely wonder how things are going, Hink...

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

Scarlett 2i2 arrived an hour ago and this is my first impression:

1.Installation takes less than 60 sec - remove old card,connect cables first,then connect the guitar and start to record immediately without touching anything else,using already installed Flexasio driver 1.9.

2.The guitar sound go to Cakewalk even without pressing Instrument or AIR buttons - when they are switched on ,just lift the gain and saturate the signal very nice way.

3.Will make comparision between control software i already download from official site with the Flexasio i used to work,which as the name suggest is very flexible and you don't need to switch or change anything,work with all apps simultaneously,but need to find best setting for the records - latency,to choose 44.1 vs 48 vs 192 khz for records.

4. Last 10 years i play acoustic guitar and now have to learn again to play electric proper way,so will take time to make really dope records,but from what i hear in first minute,this is quality sioundcard no doubt,when play few guitar tracks i recorded with AIR mode they sound like pro record and gives that nice feeling of quality sound - for the money invested,the sound is really nice,didn't expected actually to be so pleasing...

5.Only thing i don't like is cable - around 1 m. or less.

Soundcard is more beautiful and handy,than you can see and feel on youtube
The sound is clean and precise if record without any button turned on,when use instrument and AIR become more PRO.
This is something recorded with Ibanez S521 via Scarlett 2i2 AIR mode ON - no fx or editing,
The guitar settings of pickup switcher is center - all humbukers are active and parallel connected.
Tone control knob is somewhere in the middle,to reduce harshness of treble.
https://www.whyp.it/tracks/99489/ibanez ... oken=dcW7c

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

Forget to say that preamp gain was around 20% with turned on Instrument and AIR mode - if these are not swtched on the signal is like 6-8 db less.
Will experiment with different level sof pream gain to see is how much is too much and what is ok.
By the way green light of indicator is sexy,not annoying at all
Cheers

[joman9298]

Those Scarlett’s sure are nice to use

[VELLTONE MUSIC]

Yep,looks and sound like hi tech pro device My hesitation was mainly between SSL 2,Studio 24c and scarlett solo,but then make the math and just follow the crowd
Usually people are right, when say that something is the best
Next thing i'll invest is better monitors,probably Presonus R65,i'm satisfied with Eris E5 i'm using right now,just 1" tweeter sound somehow weak and thin,but accuracy and details are pleasing...so boring as speakers,but the tone is enough neutral and balanced.
Need better headphones too,but under 150 euro nothing seems to worth the money,compared to Samson SR950 for 29 euro.
Cheers