reading all these scary reviews on the m-audio firewire solo, i've successfully been scared off. i dont want something that will result in excessive tweaking/OS downgrades/firewire port destruction to possibly work. the price seemed good but i am now put off.

my setup: powerbook g4 1.5ghz with 1.25 gigs of RAM.

i just need a basic interface so that i can track live bass lines into garageband and in the future, logic express. i am not a professional musician... just want to pursue a hobby.

so - if you are in a similar situation and you have an interface that worked as it should have on the first try, i would love to hear your suggestions. price is always a factor but i would rather buy something that works, of course.

thanks in advance.

Go for the presonus firebox. It worked in Garage Band and Logic Express the first time I tried them, all I had to do was plug it in.

good to know! i have seen less complaints about the firebox...

question - for my very basic needs, would a presonus inspire work ok? or is the extra $100 worth it for the firebox?

This post has been edited by ajchen: Mon 20 Feb 2006, 06:13

I have no experience with the inspire, but I imagine it's about the same deal. The only difference I noticed was the inspire doesn't have balanced outputs (or really many outputs at all for that matter...). The firebox has 6 balanced outputs. I doubt the RCA level outputs on the inspire are as handy as the balanced outs on the firebox.

The firepod has 2 universal inputs for mic/instruments, and the gain controllers right on the front of it, which is more convienient in my opinion that going through a software mixer as on the inspire.

Also it offers more expandability for just a bit more cash.

http://www.presonus.com/images/FIREBOXhookupbig.jpg

Personally I'd go with the firebox. It seems less gimmicky.

The original MOTU 828 also fits this description. Might be able to pick up a used one cheap.