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[jnorman]

i am looking for an audio interface for a new macbook laptop.  it can be either firewire or USB2.  i do not need (or even want) any internal mic preamps in the unit, but dont care either way - i just doubt i would be using any inexpensive preamps.  

the main thing it needs to do is be able to record at least 4 discrete tracks simultaneously, preferably from 4 line inputs.   i know there are some spendy models out there that do this, such as MOTU traveler and 828, but i was hoping to find something in the $200 range, hopefully also including some decent software like cubase LE.  

can someone please recommend a good unit for me?  thanks.

[Version]

Metric Halo 2882

http://www.mhlabs.com/metric_halo/products/mio/

highly recommended and respected.



MOTU Traveller

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/traveler

Maybe a little nicer on the pocket

edit: didnt realize you were looking in the $200 range. These units are not. Nevermind

[jnorman]

thanks stuart - i have been reading about the presonus firebox.  it sounds like it can record up to 6 channels at once, though i doubt the quality of the pres.  know anything about that one?

[organica]

you might be able to find a used Quattro (  it's a few years old  , M audio made it ) for $50 or so
they're not bad imo
solid & cheap
up to 4 tracks

[Rod Affleck]

sosa aka some otha s a wrote on Tue, 07 November 2006 23:37

you might be able to find a used Quattro (  it's a few years old  , M audio made it ) for $50 or so they're not bad imo solid & cheap up to 4 tracks

I've heard a lot bad things about the Quattro--it glitches and drops out, overheats, doesn't work half the time, drivers are buggy, etc. I've never used it so I'm going on hearsay, but I'd personally stay away from it. If it's worked well for you, congrats--you're one of the few who hasn't had problems with it. USB-1 was never meant to have that much data throughput.

Here's some user reviews to consider:
http://www.sonicstate.com/digital/comments.cfm?modelID=1523

The Firebox is probably your only option in your price range, or maybe a used Motu 828 Mk 1.

r a

[organica]

I HAVE used them  many times
( outgrew it  but still have one ... packrat syndrome perhaps ?  )

mine has always worked just fine though the initial setup wasn't as easy as , " plug 'n play "
you need  right driver ect
& have found it to be solid but not dummy friendly

looks like it goes for closer to $100.00 used
and probably with some recording software of some kind  

anyway
the real point that I forgot to make earlier was that there is a bunch of digi stuff that came out a few years ago or so that you could pick up for a song
for MANY people  it's worth considering imo

[Michael Brebes]

I have the Firebox and it works well.  It has two mic/instrument inputs which can be used for line level, 2 line ins, and one SPDIF input.  That's the 6 channels.  I've tried it out with two AKG414's and the micpres sound much better than I expected.  Respectable.

[Fibes]

For Macs the MOTU stuff works great.

I use between 1-3 896HDs for remote gigs and the only hyper doenside is on quiet sources where the pre gain gets a bit taxed.

No, they aren't Apogee but they do a fine job capturing stuff in the field.

[Rod Affleck]

sosa aka some otha s a wrote on Wed, 08 November 2006 12:13

anyway the real point that I forgot to make earlier was that there is a bunch of digi stuff that came out a few years ago or so that you could pick up for a song for MANY people  it's worth considering imo

Agreed.

Fibes

For Macs the MOTU stuff works great.

MOTU works great on PCs too. Judging from the ebay completed auctions, you can pick up an original 828 firewire unit for between $225 and $275. That's getting at least close to jnorman's $200 budget.

r a