Recommend an audio interface for my Mac

factorplayer · #1 08-22-2009, 01:29 AM

I just want to be able to record up my bass (of course) and my stereo synth in Garage Band or maybe Logic Express...

I've been out of the loop on this stuff for years - what say you?

groooooove · #2 08-22-2009, 01:35 AM

im no expert, but i think it'll be helpfull to list some info about said mac.. at the least, if its the new macbook with usb-only, or the older one / new macpro that still has firewire.

lm183902 · #3 08-22-2009, 06:00 AM

What's your budget?

markjazzbassist · #4 08-22-2009, 11:12 AM

Mbox Mini 2. It's cheap and you get pro tools.

fokof · #5 08-22-2009, 09:43 PM

Any MOTU.

ReBass · #6 08-22-2009, 11:02 PM

Apogee Duet. As long as you don't need more than two inputs at a time, it is hands down the best interface for Mac IMO. Seemless integration with Garageband and Logic and pristine sound. And very easy to operate.

lm183902 · #7 08-23-2009, 08:22 PM

The Duet sounds great as long as you can afford it. Definitely a great choice.

Charling · #8 08-23-2009, 08:25 PM

yeah, for low cost the duet is a greta sounding interface. MOTU stuff is ok, ok pre's, ok A/D's, lots of features. we really need to know your budget, however, if it's $1000 then you can get some very nice interfaces second hand, real top stuff. If its $300 then it becomes a features vs slight differences in quality thing.

robass · #9 08-23-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

Mbox Mini 2. It's cheap and you get pro tools.

dont you mean 'alsihad'

the only argument I can see for getting protools is that if you wanted to interface with pro studios. Digidesign's whole proprietary trip with their hardware is kinda lame, IMO.

Basseroni · #10 08-24-2009, 12:03 AM

I would hold out for an Apogee Duet which goes for about $500. OR if you don't have the $500 to spend right now check out the new Apogee One. It's a usb interface instead of the firewire but you would still get that pristine quality. The only thing is that it's one channel instead of two. If you don't need to do any multitracking you can get into that for about $250.

http://news.apogeedigital.com/index....ne-for-the-mac

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/one.php

markjazzbassist · #11 08-24-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robass

dont you mean 'alsihad'

the only argument I can see for getting protools is that if you wanted to interface with pro studios. Digidesign's whole proprietary trip with their hardware is kinda lame, IMO.

lame as it might be. it's the industry standard.

lm183902 · #12 08-24-2009, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

lame as it might be. it's the industry standard.

Yeah, I'm really waiting for Digi to release some higher quality LE interfaces for those willing to pay for it. I can't get anywhere near as much out of any other piece of software - I just need the hardware to match. I'm strongly considered the Black Lion Audio mod for my Digi002, which to my ear, brings you into PTHD quality. The only limit at that point is your computer, which is fine with me.

If They can make something that rivals the Duet/Ensemble, I'll definitely throw down for a new interface.

Charling · #13 08-24-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lm183902

Yeah, I'm really waiting for Digi to release some higher quality LE interfaces for those willing to pay for it. I can't get anywhere near as much out of any other piece of software - I just need the hardware to match. I'm strongly considered the Black Lion Audio mod for my Digi002, which to my ear, brings you into PTHD quality. The only limit at that point is your computer, which is fine with me.

If They can make something that rivals the Duet/Ensemble, I'll definitely throw down for a new interface.

I think they are focusing on the new HD stuff at the moment, big shift expected, quite possibly going native! theres a paradigm shift for ya. Anyway, I think the new LE interfaces might have to wait till after that!

As a side note, what is it you get out of pro tools you feel you can't from anything else?

lm183902 · #14 08-24-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charling

As a side note, what is it you get out of pro tools you feel you can't from anything else?

For the most part, it's the ease of use of Pro Tools. I feel like it's very intuitive, and I'm able to get comfortable with new features quicker on PT than anything else.

I'll admit though, my opinion is biased - I'm probably just too lazy to take on the task of completely learning the ins and outs of a new DAW.

There are definitely tons of great programs these days. If I had to choose another, I'd likely go with Logic. But, like I said - I'm too lazy.

Charling · #15 08-24-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lm183902

For the most part, it's the ease of use of Pro Tools. I feel like it's very intuitive, and I'm able to get comfortable with new features quicker on PT than anything else.

I'll admit though, my opinion is biased - I'm probably just too lazy to take on the task of completely learning the ins and outs of a new DAW.

There are definitely tons of great programs these days. If I had to choose another, I'd likely go with Logic. But, like I said - I'm too lazy.

cool, yeah, I agree with that. I was thinking to myself 'the only reason I can see is...'

I love pro tools, I'm not a fan of digidesign and the way they run things but the program is great, for me. As I say I'd use logic for projects where being able to do more is necesary but for 95% of the projects I do pro tools is a joy to work on!

factorplayer · #16 08-25-2009, 12:40 AM

I can get a discount on Apogee Duet through my employer so I will probably look into that.

Kwesi · #17 08-30-2009, 01:18 AM

The Apogee Duet is awesome and dead sexy but I can't imagine why it's $500. I use a Echo Audiofire4 (~$200 new) and it sounds awesome. It captures the natural tone of my bass perfectly.

phatbass · #18 08-30-2009, 01:49 AM

If you don't want/need more than just 2, 1/4" inputs and don't want to spend a bunch of bux, this works fine:

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/FCA202.aspx

Firewire, 2 in and 2 out, powered off the firewire port (on my ol' Mac, anyway). As usual, on a Mac, just plug it in and go.

Charling · #19 08-30-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

The Apogee Duet is awesome and dead sexy but I can't imagine why it's $500. I use a Echo Audiofire4 (~$200 new) and it sounds awesome. It captures the natural tone of my bass perfectly.

Its to do with the quality, apogee stuff is very good and represents 'a few steps up' in terms of the quality of the a/d converters etc. with the duet you get a sound similar to the big boy audio cards (well, bigger anyway!) for much less cost in exchange for loosing a few of the features.

its very much a personal decision, and as you say even the cheaper interface cards sound pretty damn good these days. If you are interested in getting real top results, however, higher quality a/d converters/preamps etc etc can only help.

if you work a lot with audio and are very used to listening to things from an engineers perspective the added clarity you gain from better a/d's etc is incredible. and I rely on high quality converters to capture the instruments well, consistently (with cheaper card you often get one or two things together sounds great, but track a whole project on them and the little problems compound, though this is a bigger issue with preamps!). Also when mixing the added space and clarity you get with great D/A converters allow you to hear problems you'd miss with lesser quality boxes. so very subtle things, but very important if you do this sort of thing as a job!

However if you are just looking to record cool demo's and get ideas down, i would certainly say you don't need them and the cheaper card will do just fine.

yem · #20 08-30-2009, 09:03 AM

I use a PreSonus Firebox. It's not the best out there but it is relatively cheap and has lots of inputs.