Cheap solution for tracking in beats

Hey guys I need a cheap solution to record beats from my mpc 2000xl into my new dell laptop with windows 7.

Don't need midi etc just a half decent external audio recording device that I can record my beats into track by track.

Also I don't have the 8 outs so just stereo is fine

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

And this should work straight to the mic in yeah?

Yes, then into whatever audio software you are using.

The built in audio on laptops, or PCs in general, has a reputation for not being very good quality.

But, it is cheap, and worth a try to get you going, it 'might' sound OK.


If not, maybe an idea of what sort of price range you are looking at, and you will probably get some recommendations for USB audio interfaces.

Well it's a brand new Dell so should be OK.

I'm doing the research myself now as there is a heck of a lot to go through!

Thanks anyway though man.

Almost bid on a 2003 ozone keyboard, so glad I didnt!

Use the TRS cable for now but save up for an audio interface. Definitely, definitely worth it if you want to bring the full potential out of your instrumentals.

SimonInAustralia wrote:it 'might' sound OK.

As opposed to "it WILL sound GOOD".

Even a cheapish audio interface with good drivers would give a marked improvement in sound quality over a laptop MIC IN, if sound quality matters. Try the cable first if you just want instant gratification, you can also use the same cable to sample from your iPhone/laptop etc.

don't use the MIC IN of your laptop... it will sound like absolute sh!t.

you're on the right track wanting to get an interface with 1/4 inputs... there are lots of cheap options out there on the used market... the ozone keyboard with built-in interface actually isn't a bad option if you can get it for a nice price... that way you have a decent MIDI controller on hand as well... i can think of a few cheap interfaces i like [such as the m-audio quattro], but i'm not sure if they have win7 drivers... maybe look into the focusrite product line for something modern and affordable...

That is the problem with second hand, getting stuck with outdated drivers, and therefore possibly outdated OS.

cheap usb audio interface...there are tons of them out there for cheap.

I went for this in the end; http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/FCA202.aspx

my Laptop doesnt have firewire so I got a usb to firewire converter which should be fine, I've heard it doesnt run on 64 bit windows 7 which is what I have but I'm pretty sure I can get the drivers from somewhere

Thanks for all the advice though guys and yeah I waited as I want the quality to be there too.