Macintosh- M-audio Compatibility, problem finding a new interface Options

[da_honz]

Hi there!

i was just about to buy me the m-audio audiophile usb interface when a local apple dealer told me that the compatibility between a macintosh and any interface except for emagic stuff is null!
is that true?
the real problem here is that the emagic 6/2 interface costs a hundred bucks more than the audiophile interface!

does anybody have experiences, good or bad?
how about this story,does he just want to sell emagic stuff, or is it true?

[dementia13]

Maybe he knows something I don't, but I've never heard that. I can't vouch for their audio hardware, but I use an M-audio Oxygen8 MIDI controller, and it works perfectly. Works perfectly with Logic, in fact. I suspect he's either misinformed or lying.

[lepetitmartien]

Another case of a salesman who should hold his tongue.

But I would tell you to browse and see the actual problems users may or may not have with…
(sorry I don't remember by heart for this one)

Search with "audiophile", plenty of threads to have an idea

[birdfeeder]

Simple. He was lying. I have an Ozone and I've never had any issues with it. M-Audio is a good company and are FAST to update their drivers for moving target that OS X is.

[Franerik]

I have two Delta 66 in my Power mac G4 and everything is alright!

[rickenbacker]

Then again, I've read hundreds of complaints about M-Audio gear on the web and none about Emagic hardware. Draw your own conclusions.

BTW, I own an M-Audio Oxygen 8 and an Emagic MT4 Midi interface. I have no complaints about either.

[birdfeeder]

What App are you using it with? Rickenbacker is not quite giving you a fair assessment of issues with the hardware. I found people complaining about the emi 6/2 at the first place I looked. (http://forum.cubase.net/forum/Forum1/HTML/016766.html)

It is prolly safe to say that this is the exception and not the norm though. Most USB audio devices work fine. Some are better than others. The EMI 6/2 *is* prolly better than the audiophile but $100's of dollars better? I doubt it. But since I never A/B'd them, I really don't know.

The real easy answer:
(1) Check the return policy wherever you buy it from and see how long their return window is.
(2) Buy the Audiophile and play with it.

If it flakes up or doesn't meet your standards:
(3.a) Return it and buy the EMI 6/2
or
(3.b) Keep it and know that you made the most economic decision based on experience with the product.

Good Luck...!
Happy Holiday!

[rickenbacker]

I was simply stating that I've not seen many (if any) complaints about Emagic hardware, whereas disgruntled M-Audio owners seem to crop up everywhere. Of course, that may be because M-Audio products are generally cheaper, so more people own them. Draw your own conclusions about that, too.

If I was being real sarcastic (oh, go on, then - what the heck) looking in the Cubase forums for people complaining about Emagic gear is a bit like looking in a Mac forum for people whinging about Microsoft. Hmm, Steinberg and Emagic, two of the world's biggest music technology companies and rivals, whose hardware products don't work flawlessly with the other's software. Quelle suprise!

But I agree with Birdfeeder's sensible purchase policy. Can't beat hands-on, real-world experience to tell if a product is right for you or not.

[bevlev]

Here's my limited m-Audio experience -

1. AudioBuddy pre-amp - died/fried after a year of sporadic use - warranty expired

2. MIDIsport 2x2 - only took about 4 months to hookup for MIDI to work - tech support tried to help, but couldn't - I couldn't tell you what I did to make it work - just pushed buttons - I dare not disconnect it. (Running ProTools 5.2LE with Quicksilver G4 at the time)

3. Audiophile 24/96 PCI soundboard - it will be selling on ebay - could never get to work - I should've returned it instead of spending countless hours trying. (Running SuperMac S900 and ProTools Free)

For the $ I saved, I don't think it was worth all the time and aggravation.

For my setup, I won't consider m-Audio for any future purchases.

Good luck shopping!

[birdfeeder]

Wow Bevlev. You've had some bad luck! Odd because I've had the exact opposite experience with my M-Audio products, I guess I should count my lucky stars. I owned the Oxygen before "upgrading" to the Ozone. I use the MIDISport 2x2 for live shows and a MIDISport 4x4 for my home studio. The Ozone acted up on me once while recording within Cubase SX, other than that, never a days bother on anything.

Although, as I think about it, I've only used my M-Audio gear within Mac OS X, looks like your running OS 9 (based on the apps you listed) perhaps the M-Audio OS 9 drivers are wacky.

I can see why you'd be salty though, I'd be salty too. I have the same horrible experience with my Digi-001, always flakey - "disappearing" from my system, but others on the DUC never have any issues, so I can feel your pain.

Rickenbacker: You're right, the Cubase form prolly isn't the best place to get a fair shake on Emagic stuff, forgive me, the dayQuill has had me the past few days...