Folks,
I have a different thread, http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...-input-699980/ on a very similar topic.
That thread went stale as I fought with other priorities. This issue is not near the top of my heap so I really need answers.

Moderators? If this breaks some rule, I regret the transgression. Please don't slap my wrists too hard as I try to behave. Feel free to merge this under the other thread, or pull that thread here.

Thanks in advance,
~~~ 0;-Dan

Take a look at the Line6 ux2. I know it does work under some linux. As to mixing inputs and outputs you may have to get size connectors or loose a channel.

The other well supported usb audio box is (darn I forget the name but guitarcenter has it) real popular company. Think it is German. Lemme look that up later. That box is more supported than any line6 product.

I think that is what you are asking for, if not correct me.

The UX2 looks pretty interesting on the surface. I don't need guitar, but I presume they mean 1/4-inch vs. balanced line.
I found this Line6, UX2 It talks about software called Pod Farm that is either Windows or Mac based. Do you have any idea which linux software I would use for (1) play back, and (2) recording throught the UX2?

I look forward hearing about the other box when you can. At least this is on the right course.
~~~ 0;-Dan

Must be the M-audio I am thinking about. Thought it was another name.

No, line6 doesn't have linux software. You have to use linux software, the driver for the usb device is in some distro's and might be installed in some others. I use live cd's to see if it boots up and loads the thing.

Why do you need usb?

Locations where I will use this have both 1/4-inch and 3-wire, balanced line sound system input.
I'd need to interface from a laptop to their connectors. It usually means that there are some
audio levels to set along the way in addition to the conversion from stereo audio -- typically
twin coaxial wires or single 3-wire coaxial line -- to whatever is required to drive the balanced
line, 3-conductor shielded PA system cables. Since I need some sort of box, a small mixer with
reasonable input and output connectors seemed to make sense. USB from audio software to the mixer
also seemed straight forward request. The laptop does not have firewire.

I could connect from the 3.5mm headphone output to some mixer. Mixer would then adapt to the balanced
line. This requires that software "mixer" generate a single audio stream to the outside world. I'd
hoped a USB connected mixer would permit multiple audio streams to the physical mixer, which I'd then
be able to steer in various ways off the laptop.

Open to suggestions,
~~~ 0;-Dan