Please help me choose an audio interface for my iBook

Morten · 17th June 2005

I'll need it to record on my 1.2GHz iBook, so far I've used Logic Express but would like to try different hosts. I'll never use more than one input at a time, either guitar, mic, or MIDI, so a high number of simultaneous inputs and outputs isn't relevant. I guess it also means that I can make do with USB 1.0. What I'm looking for in particular is a good headphone output, since I have to do mixes with phones. Can't spend much more than $400, maybe $500 if it's a great deal.

Okay, so I've considered the following:

Edirol FA-66 (don't know anything about this, except the features seem to fit the bill) $400

M-Audio FW 410 (looks nice, but haven't they had lots of driver problems?) $300

Presonus Firebox (generally good reviews) $400

Lexicon Omega (ugly, but lots of features for the price) $300

Mackie Spike (ugly, but on sale where I live, and I'd really like Tracktion) $300

Steinberg System 4 (I'd like Cubase SL just to get my hands on Cubase, don't know anything about the hardware) $400

Any input from user of these would be much appreciated. Specifically about the quality of preamps, converters and headphone output.

Thanks!

entropy · 17th June 2005

Any reason you've not listed the Digidesign MBox? It's not a bad bundle for the money, you get Pro Tools, a bunch of plugs, Logic worx fine on it, the pre's are better than most you've listed there. The only drawbacks are it doesn't have midi and you're a bit limited i/o wise.

On the cheap side, the Edirol UA25 isn't bad but no software included.

Other than that, if you like the look of Traktion, grab the Spike. It worx and the software is pretty damn easy to get about on.

mersisblue · 17th June 2005

I wouldnt reccomend Digi's coreaudio driver to anyone ( not even my worst enemy )

I think you should consider the Focusrite Saffire

in your price rang and come with plugins . I have a good feeling about this sound

card . but it doesnt ship for about a month

Morten · 17th June 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy

Any reason you've not listed the Digidesign MBox? It's not a bad bundle for the money, you get Pro Tools, a bunch of plugs, Logic worx fine on it, the pre's are better than most you've listed there. The only drawbacks are it doesn't have midi and you're a bit limited i/o wise.

On the cheap side, the Edirol UA25 isn't bad but no software included.

Other than that, if you like the look of Traktion, grab the Spike. It worx and the software is pretty damn easy to get about on.

I do need MIDI I/O, and I have a strong feeling pro tools isn't for me (I'll be working quite a lot in MIDI).

I'll add UA25 to my considerations, thanks.

Morten · 17th June 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersisblue

I wouldnt reccomend Digi's coreaudio driver to anyone ( not even my worst enemy )

I think you should consider the Focusrite Saffire

in your price rang and come with plugins . I have a good feeling about this sound

card . but it doesnt ship for about a month

Thanks for your advice. I've been looking at the Focusrite unit as well, and it sounds really promising. But I need an interface asap.

Morten · 19th June 2005

By the way, this has caught my attention:

http://www.zzounds.com/prodsearch?fo...x=0&submit.y=0

Seems like a piece of pro gear just within my price range. What do you think?

theblue1 · 19th June 2005

I generally like Yamaha gear, though I don't have a lot. (I bought a Yamaha SV3700 for my old project studio and I liked it pretty well [except for its lack of a proper record-ready mode], pretty sweet converters for the day.)

But, I have to say, when I see something like "69% off!" on a relatively new technology item it rings loud, loud alarm bells in my head.

Now, it's possible it's an early product and its original price reflects the pricing milieu a couple years ago, and that, perhaps the price was poorly set in the first place. (Also, some manufacturers have a lot of "air" in their prices, giving retailers more flexibility, while some others have rigidly fixed pricing structures and don't tolerate deep discounting from their dealers.)

I am intrigued by Yamahas Firewire-based MLAN protocol, but I don't have any personal familiarity with it.

17th June 2005	#1
Morten Gear nut Joined: May 2005 Posts: 118 Thread Starter	Please help me choose an audio interface for my iBook I'll need it to record on my 1.2GHz iBook, so far I've used Logic Express but would like to try different hosts. I'll never use more than one input at a time, either guitar, mic, or MIDI, so a high number of simultaneous inputs and outputs isn't relevant. I guess it also means that I can make do with USB 1.0. What I'm looking for in particular is a good headphone output, since I have to do mixes with phones. Can't spend much more than $400, maybe $500 if it's a great deal. Okay, so I've considered the following: Edirol FA-66 (don't know anything about this, except the features seem to fit the bill) $400 M-Audio FW 410 (looks nice, but haven't they had lots of driver problems?) $300 Presonus Firebox (generally good reviews) $400 Lexicon Omega (ugly, but lots of features for the price) $300 Mackie Spike (ugly, but on sale where I live, and I'd really like Tracktion) $300 Steinberg System 4 (I'd like Cubase SL just to get my hands on Cubase, don't know anything about the hardware) $400 Any input from user of these would be much appreciated. Specifically about the quality of preamps, converters and headphone output. Thanks!

17th June 2005	#2
entropy Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: QLD. Australia Posts: 1,265	Any reason you've not listed the Digidesign MBox? It's not a bad bundle for the money, you get Pro Tools, a bunch of plugs, Logic worx fine on it, the pre's are better than most you've listed there. The only drawbacks are it doesn't have midi and you're a bit limited i/o wise. On the cheap side, the Edirol UA25 isn't bad but no software included. Other than that, if you like the look of Traktion, grab the Spike. It worx and the software is pretty damn easy to get about on. __________________ Cris Stevens Federal Audio. Australian distributor of ADAM Audio monitors, Lindell Audio, Ardán Audio monitor stands, Evol Audio "Fucifier" and explorAudio mic mounts. Website Blog

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17th June 2005	#3
mersisblue Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 764	I wouldnt reccomend Digi's coreaudio driver to anyone ( not even my worst enemy ) I think you should consider the Focusrite Saffire in your price rang and come with plugins . I have a good feeling about this sound card . but it doesnt ship for about a month

19th June 2005	#6
Morten Gear nut Joined: May 2005 Posts: 118 Thread Starter	By the way, this has caught my attention: http://www.zzounds.com/prodsearch?fo...x=0&submit.y=0 Seems like a piece of pro gear just within my price range. What do you think?

19th June 2005	#7
theblue1 Gear Guru Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 15,095	I generally like Yamaha gear, though I don't have a lot. (I bought a Yamaha SV3700 for my old project studio and I liked it pretty well [except for its lack of a proper record-ready mode], pretty sweet converters for the day.) But, I have to say, when I see something like "69% off!" on a relatively new technology item it rings loud, loud alarm bells in my head. Now, it's possible it's an early product and its original price reflects the pricing milieu a couple years ago, and that, perhaps the price was poorly set in the first place. (Also, some manufacturers have a lot of "air" in their prices, giving retailers more flexibility, while some others have rigidly fixed pricing structures and don't tolerate deep discounting from their dealers.) I am intrigued by Yamahas Firewire-based MLAN protocol, but I don't have any personal familiarity with it.