While I agree that the Tascam is a better unit, it is radically more expensive than just a 'few more bucks' especially for someone on a tight budget. Hunt one of those down on eBay and you'll be happier than any USB interface could make you, especially for the cash. They only sell for a few more bucks than the Behringer new.Ī better recommendation if the gent has an older PCMCIA slot in his laptop: The Echo Indigo kicks all kinds of butt. If you have to have USB, spend a few more bucks and buy a used Tascam US-144 off eBay. The third one is a little better but it sort of decides to work whenever it feels like it. The first two made identical low-level whines on everything going in and out. I will have to issue a word of caution about the Behringer. It isn't like it was in the pre firewire/USB2 days now.interfaces have become the staple for your 'A to D' and monitoring needs.and as long as Firewire cards have TI chipsets.they should be fine. Not true, many outboard interfaces can handle the issue very well. I've been making music on DAW's/computers since 1985, and that's my 2 cents. It's maybe even slightly more than your friend needs at the moment, but for $250-300, it's an investment that you won't easily outgrow in 6 months. It's good, durable, stable and won't break the bank. One card that I can definitely recommend is the Echo Gina card.

Music is a time-critical thing, and the *only* way to ensure the lowest possible latencies while recording is to purchase a PCI (internal) soundcard, and get yourself as much RAM as you can. Don't leave your home for 3 months, don't buy any beer, eat hot dogs and rice for a year, but DO NOT SKIMP ON YOUR AUDIO INTERFACE!!!! I can't stress this enough: DO NOT SKIMP ON YOUR AUDIO INTERFACE. He already has a MIDI interface, so the required unit simply needs to be USB 2.0 and give him: Can anyone recommend the cheapest audio interface possible? I need to recommend one to a friend who has little money and just wants to be able to record his keyboard.

Drivers phonic midi hub