what do you suggest as an audio interface for a laptop? sound card or external interface? what sound cards do you reccomend?(i've had my eye on a the digi VxPocket V2) what kinda external do you reccomend? mbox? emagic? it needs to have mic inputs as well as the lo-z or whatever their called theses days. gimme some input on what you prefer and why!

I love my MBox.

1 It comes with Pro Tools LE - and quite a bit of other software now.
2 Sound quality is pretty decent.
3 It's pretty good value.

Hope this helps

Rich

peace

MacIDOL.com

Which softwares do you use ? How many in/outs do you need? USB or FireWire? Do you need a decent preamp or you don't care?

The only real reason to by a mBox is that you want to use Protools LE, as there's no PT Free on OSX, and it should be time for Digidesign to understand what it means. Else you have lots of alternatives depending of your actual needs. Also I see a plural at mic inputs so the mBox doesn't really fill the bill.

What's the music you make? How many mics do you need at the same time? dedicated pre wouldn't be better?

The more you talk, the better the answer

Good points!

The m box is just a stereo (2 channel) device.

Yeah - i agree Digidesign really ought to bring out PT Free for os x - it's in their interests.

OT:
Speaking to the tape op's and engineers at the Motivated by Music event at Olympic Studios they said that the vast majority of their work was done using Pro Tools (TDM of course) - and a little on Logic. Digi need to keep attracting the new users - or Apple will with the almost free GarageBand and Logic range turn this situation around... Hey - the futures bright for us Mac users

MacIDOL.com

M AUDIO FW 410 COMES W/4 IN AND 10 OUT 7.1 SOUND 2 HEADPHONES PLUGS W/VOL CONTROL, PHANTOM POWER I LOVE MINE ,WORKS GREAT $300.OO NEW ON EBAY

Be aware that the 4 inputs are 2 analog, and 2 digital. To get 4 inputs at once would require another input device with digital out.