USB audio-- opinions? Options

Hey guys,
I'm glad to see a forum dedicated to music-making on the Mac.  It kinda feels, well, like home.  But that banner reloading every 10 seconds is annoying-- I'm going to have to use iCab more often, I guess .

Anyway, I'm thinking of buying the US-428 or the new M-Audio Quattro interface for my G4 tower (and possibly future TiPB).  Are there any owners of any USB audio interfaces (including Roland U8, etc.) that can give me an idea of the overall value of these devices-- like how consistently they work, how good they sound, etc., compared to PCI interfaces?

Thanks, guys.

Dallas Vaughan

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www.dallasvaughan.com

[WSpeckmann]

Hi,

I checked the Tascam US 428.
Audio seemed to be very good
but there's still no final mac driver included (you have to download a newer version from the web) and the box still doesn't include the promised mac software (although I wouldn't use it anyway).
I tried to use it with ProTools LE - the remote function worked only for channel faders, start/stop & channel select buttons. No EQ remote.
(You have to use the JLCooper CS10 simulation mode).
I tried it with Logic - you have to write your own environment object.
The faders & knobs are very hard to use - plastic feeling.
Check the new EMI (?) from Emagic when the mac driver is ready - it looks very good. And check firewire solutions too ( MotU 828 !).
I still prefer PCI solutions (I own a Digi001 & AM III running Logic Plat. & PT 5 LE).

Kind regards
Walter

Thanks for the reply. I'm pretty sure I am indeed going to go with the MOTU 828, because there seems to be some issues with USB audio at this point (so I've heard), and firewire seems like it would be a heck of a lot more stable. Plus, the 828 comes with Audiodesk software, which is basically the same as Digital Performer without MIDI control and not as many tracks, and I can upgrade to Digital Performer for $300 or $400 if I need it.

Now I just need to save some money!

Dallas

[Synthetic]

Can I make a suggestion? Have you thought about a Digi 001 system? I have one of these for my G3 and love it. There is nothing I can't record or mix with it. It is a PCI card with breakout box that offers 8in/8out plus 2 mic preamps with phantom power that work nice and midi in and out as well and it supports digital ins and outs as well. It comes with ProTools LE. This is an extremely flexible setup with 24 audio tracks and up to 128 midi tracks.

This is the best recording setup in my opinion for the mac without spending $5000 plus on a full blown PT system. The motu 828 looks like nice interface as well but for the cost... I still prefer the Digi 001 that comes with PT as well

[DigitMus]

I just got the MOTU 828 and it's great! 18 simultaneous ins & outs at 24bits. AudioDesk has unlimited tracks (only your processor & HD limit you) And the dealer I bought it from said I can upgrade to DP for $150. The mic pre-amps sound pretty good too. (But not as good as my Cranesong)
Just my 2¢.
Scott

Upgrade to DP for only $150?? Where'd you buy it? I was wondering how good the pre-amps are. How would you rate the overall sound quality? To synthetic, I've thought about that system, but I've also done some looking into the Delta series PCI cards from M-Audio, and they've gotten very good reviews for their sound quality-- of course you don't get good software with the Deltas, which you do with the 001. There's so many d*amn choices!! A PCI card would be good, but someday I might have a powerbook, so I want to get something that would work with that as well, but PCI cards definitely have more bang for the buck.

Too many choices!

Oh well, I'll have to delay this decision anyhow-- no use in getting worked up about something I can't afford yet.

Dallas