Firewire Interface Alternative

[soupking]

Hi everybody,

I've been having a terrible time with what is my second M-Audio 410 interface.

It floors the levels.
It doesn't respond.
It forces my computer to crash.
It will give an output level, but just enough to drive you crazy.
It slices.
It dices.
It flies very easily off a 3rd story window.

You get the point.

If I could just get a 'STABLE' fireiwre interface with at least 2 channels that doesn't have much latency I'd be stoked. At this point I just need to record tracks without having to restart my computer 5 times.

For the record, the computer is a dual G4 500 w/ SCSI drive and 1Gig of RAM. If M-Audio can't handle that, buyers beware.

Does anybody know of any alternatives that could bring me some sanity?

[eh91311]

A Presonus Firebox might be a better alternative...

[ersheff]

I second the Firebox.

[relayer66]

My Firebox is rock-stable. But then again, I had an M-Audio FW AP before that, that I never had a single problem with. It also had two nice features the FB doesn't: a power switch, and the ability to automatically detect and switch sample rates. Still, the FB has a couple of decent pres and sounds good, and can take 4 audio inputs, which is why I bought it (I'm in a 3-piece band).

[donsolo]

Just don't get the firepod, never liked the thing.

Ultralite is my vote, love MOTU

[big country]

just dont get the MOTU get the firestudio sounds like a dream
matt

[donsolo]

There is nothing wrong with Motu's stuff, esp after teh Black Lion mod.

[junior]

if you were on a pc, i'd suggest demoing an i88x... but, since you're on a mac, maybe have a look at the uln-2, firestudio or fireface400. good luck!

[ultrasource]

i just went from a problematic 410 to a motu828mkII and will hopefully have it modded withing the next 6 months.
sure it's no RME but my system is now eerily stable and i'm not as poor. good luck.

[jslevin]

M-Audio stuff is problematic, it's just that simple.

The Metric Halo ULN-2 is absolutely the Cadillac of 2/4-channel interfaces. Outrageously good preamps, converters and output section in its price range. Mac only. Pricier than most 2/4-channel interfaces. You may never get rid of it.

For overall value -- solid signal path, reasonable pricing, Mac/Windows fluency -- the Presonus interfaces are hard to beat. Edirol stuff can be good if you want something stripped down. MOTU is as Mac-friendly as anything out there, but out of the box, their analog signal paths are piss-poor compared to comparbly priced Presonus stuff. I'm sure it sounds phenomenal after Black Lion gets done with it, but at that point you're in a whole different price range.

Bottom line ... if you're committed to Mac and have a little extra coin, get the ULN-2. If you want a good product, croos-platform and more affordable, get a Presonus.

JSL

[audioalchemy]

RME stuff is great but the software mixer/routing app is a pain.

MOTU rocks all. very easy, very stable, good a/d d/a

Presonus ewwwwwwwwwww

[jslevin]

Originally Posted by audioalchemy

MOTU rocks all. very easy, very stable, good a/d d/a

Presonus ewwwwwwwwwww

Having trouble reconciling these two remarks. Especially for ADC quality, MOTU products are clearly a cut or two below Presonus. MOTU's more expensive products may sound better than Presonus' cheap ones, but that's the most you could say for them.

JSL

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by jslevin

Bottom line ... if you're committed to Mac and have a little extra coin, get the ULN-2. If you want a good product, croos-platform and more affordable, get a Presonus.

I think I'd pretty much agree with that (although I've not tried all the alternatives).

I do find the Firebox pre-amps to be a bit noisy, but then I'm comparing them to a ULN-2 which is twice the price.

It all depends on your budget. FYI here's a couple of set-ups I know, both of which work perfectly well for cranking out music demos, but I'd only record a pro voice-over on the 2nd one.

My friend's system: ADK Microphone >> Firebox >> Logic Express
My system: Brauner Microphone >> ULN-2 >> Logic Pro