Need a basic recording setup

Morph the Cat

Hi all,

I'm currently collaborating with a bass player, and he needs some sort of setup so he can record at home on his laptop.

I use Pro Tools, etc, but I'm not too familiar with what's out there in the budget dept as I use an MBox 2 for all my input needs.

Basically, he has a decent laptop; so can anyone recommend an interface (with built-in pre-amp) that will allow him to plug a bass or guitar directly into, that would allow him to record? And would Reaper suffice as the recording software?
Direct input from his bass would suffice, as I can give him some Ampeg plugins to apply afterwards...

Advice appreciated - cheers!

wonski

2 options from me:
Zoom multieffect with Cubase LE:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/zoom_b2-1u_bass_fx_pedal.htm

or one of the cheaper interfaces like this one:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/maudio_fast_track.htm

The advantage of first option is easy to use Cubase, no messing with drivers, and never had latency and other issues. Also you can record with effects, and you have additional effects when you need them. Plug&play really.
The second one gives you extra input for mic, with phantom power. In the future you can mic an amp.

Here are some testing done on g2.1u, which gives you an idea of sound quality (it is basically the same pedal, but for guitar)
https://soundcloud.com/marcindluginski/another-home-studio-woerk
https://soundcloud.com/marcindluginski/podr-za-1-u-miech-3-struny-i-1