Hey TS,
I need a really good USB audio input for my laptop. Right now, I'm running just Church-Audio Cards with an 1/8" plug. I have a Church-Audio 9000 preamp as well, but the reason I need the USB interface is so I can get a SBD and AUD recordings.
I plan it like so: Board feed > 9000 preamp > Edirol R-09 (for the soundboard), and Church cards > USB interface > Laptop (for the audience).
Ok - assuming USB interfaces actually work...none of that makes sense.
Why not use a single USB interface and record all sources via one interface...? I dont get why you want to make two recordings???
I see USB devices that advertise 8-10 channels over USB...why bother with anything else?
I think there are success stories/threads involving inexpensive netbooks and USB interfaces...
As much as I hate the LCD screen at a gig - it seems to work...better and better.
More than two channels over USB is generally a bad idea. You will only find a few interfaces that offer more than two channels on USB and I wouldn't recommend them. If you want to do multisource straight to a computer, stick with firewire. Just my $.02.
The problem is many small (non mac) laptops have USB only. For macs, obviously Firewire is the way to go, but not for netbooks, small laptops.
I don't think there is a problem with <=4 channels on USB1.0 or more channels on USB2.0. There is just limited selection of interfaces for USB.
I would not recommend trying to do both monitoring and recording with USB, though.
Richard