Audio Interface For G4 Options

[macmusicpd]

I'm getting a great deal on a friend's G4. So I'll be saying goodbye to my G3 iMac. It's time for me to finally get the audio digital interface in order. And I'll be getting a new sequencer program to go with it.

The most I want to spend is $449 for the Mbox package. I've been using Pro Tools Free, so that seems to be a natural choice. But I just got the new Sweetwater catalog and there are a few new things, the Mackie Spike and another interface and software bundle by that reverb maker (I forgot the name, eek).

Does anybody have suggestions about what package would be best for my new G4?

Thanks!

[boze]

man i dunno-
i'd really like to see some other offerings like the fw410 that _weren't by m-audio. i really don't think usb is the way to go, but pci choices stop you from laptop use later on. panther compatibility is important as well.

the mbox always seemed a bit overpriced to me, but esp if you're a pt user it might be the best choice right now.

[boze]

i think i have a new crush:
Ego Sys QUATA-fire 610

I don't think it's the same product as this QUATA-fire?
$399 at audiomidi.com

wonder what it'll cost. looks like a great package though- and it's not by m-audio! wihew!!

[Blamm]

It says "preorder" at AudioMidi.com, so I'm guessing it is the same one. Looks the same to me, at least.

[Rayzen]

Motu Motu MOTU

[boze]

motu motu motu is crap crap crap at customer service- was that what you were trying to say?

or was it..

motu motu motu offers nothing nothing nothing under $795us that's firewire?

the guy said $449 was as much as he wanted to spend.

This post has been edited by boze: Mon 15 Dec 2003, 20:26

[swilder]

Presonus Firestation

8 analog balanced i/o
2 mic inputs
8 channels of adat i/o

Under $500

Scott

[boze]

i wanted to apologize to rayzen for coming at him too strong for his comment. it was a lame comment, but two wrongs don't whatever.

the firestation does look like a great featureset at the price- especially those pre's in it which are supposed to be the best available in midrange interfaces. however, as someone who suffered mightily from the MOTU pci324 debacle i'm really reluctant to consider a card that has a lot of ppl griping over drivers and install process. the firestation sounds like it's a living hell to get working in xp, and while my desktop is a mac my vaio laptop is what i'd need a fw card for so i guess i'll have to have to keep looking.

Prosonus reviews of ppl who love the sound but half the time can't even get the thing running:click here

[deathless]

i looked into the three interfaces you mentioned initially, the MBox, the Mackie Spike, and I believe you were refering to the new Lexicon unit. the mackie really impressed me except for 2 things. 1st, the software, Traktion, really irritated me. keep in mind though that i'm an experienced PT and DP user who is looking for a portable home rig. you can download a demo of traktion on the net. just search for the program, it's made by a 3rd party. 2nd were the mackie pre's. they're the standard VLZ pre's, which, while being incredibly wonderful, with loads of headroom, are way too clean to be a front end for a digital interface. with a tube pre i'm sure they would rock. my initial intention was to get an interface and later get the latest version of DP. since the release of the core drivers for the MBox, i went with that. i had too much trouble finding any info on the lexicon rig. as for the firestation, i've heard great things about it, but i don't think it comes with software, but i could be wrong.

-B

[pronkie5]

Think twice before choosing a USB option as it will not give you "room to grow" for the future. Firewire is a much better option if you want to be switching with laptop. Although I agree that MOTU has a bad name for customer-relations in some countries, their products are topnotch.