I have a few needs and want to build a home recording studio.
I want to produce a podcast and have multiple mic working at the same time (with each guest wearing headphones). I'd like to pause us talking and play audio from other sources too.
I have an Ableton Push 2 and I am enjoying creating music. I want to wear headphones but also have the output going to monitors when someone else wants to listen.
I want to buy a keyboard and start learning to play the piano.
I have everything plugged into a USB Hub right now and it doesn't work well or reliably.
I am stuck on what audio interface to buy. Focusrite always seems popular. I recently saw BEHRINGER makes the UMC404HD. I have tried reading reviews and it seems every single product has positive and negative feedback and it is hard to filter the noise of reviews to understand the true capabilities of the product.
How do I determine the minimum requirements an audio interface needs, based upon my goals, but not shoot myself in the foot and buy something underpowered or really overpowered?