Audio Interface with Seamless IMac Compatiblity?

Dear List,
I thought I submitted this question before but I couldn't find it in my stuff, and can't find exactly the same question in here by searching so here goes and sorry if it's repetitive.
I currently use an M-Audio, Fastrack Ultra as my interface, and it causes my IMac to kernel crash fairly frequently, despite the fact that I'm using all their suggested work arounds. I just looked on their website, and there's no new driver updates, as they have been working on trying to fix that issue. Thus, I'm going to give up on it and I want an audio interface that works seamlessly with IMacs. I would like to stay in the 400-600 dollar range.
The tech specs for my IMac and Logic Studio are below:
IMac 21.5inch Mid 2011
Processor: 2.7 GHz, Intel Core I5
Memory: 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512 MB
Software: Mac OS X Lion, Version 10.7.4 (11E53)
VERSION OF LOGIC PRO
9.1.7 (1700.57) 32 bit
Thanks in advance
Joyce

If you can stretch your budget (quite a bit actually, but you can find deals on the net) I can't recommend the RME Fireface 800 models enough. Lots of I/O, never EVER had a crash, and the drivers and tools are rock solid. RME also makes a FF400 which has less I/O, but also costs less. The sound is steller, and it has no discernable noise. These are Firewire interfaces, but they just camme out with one that also talks USB.
Pete

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? on Using which format of Audio Interface with a Imac i3

Hi,
I have been reading and reading about this topic. My (R.I.P.) eMac has been replaced by a very nice and fast Intel i3 Imac with FW800 and plenty of USB 2.0 and SP/Dif (even)
Fortunately most all of any music gear that needed driver or firmware updates for Snow Leopard had them available, but my Tascam US-120 (USB 1.1) does not so have been looking at USB 2.0 (though its amazing how many USB 1.1 USB Audio Interfaces are still be produced and at $$$ prices. Firewire Audio Interfaces are at FW 400 and with a Firewire 800 port on the back of the iMac appears ? that a interface cable is the required or ? only way to use a Firewire interface 1) I want to make sure I am understanding this correctly, and 2) is this safe ? to do 3) I am getting a FW 800 Extrenal Hard Drive so that is a match, 7200RPM,
I do plug in to the Interface (or did) at times 2 microphones XLR type (to put mic's on a amplifier) , a Electric Guitar , or a Acoutsic Electric Guitar in to the interface or record it with a mic's, I have a MIDI Keyoard that has MIDI in-out as well as USB in, and also plugged two power monotors(Linear Flat Speakers) in to the out puts of the previous Audio Interface.
Last Question I reviewed the bit/kHz of the USB 1.1 interfaces and they range from 16 bit//48 kHz,24bit 44.1kHz, to 24bit 48kHz to 24bit 96kHz (on a USB 1.1 connection from the particular USB audio Interfaces when you find a USB 2.0 modem the max bit rate is 24 and the kHz (ranges from 96 kHz to 192 kHz) I am not a electronics genius
but have recorded music in to computers for over 6+ years and the Resolution rates of the USB 1.1 do not make sense to me (I realize that MP3 (being compressed) and CD quality recordings are only so high but..
I am going to (later) update to Ilife 11 with Garageband 11' which can record up to the 24 bit range so that is a consideration as well
The FW 400 resolution rates in the chart I have are a minimum of 24 bit and kHZ range of 96 kHz to 192 kHz . and in theory USB 2.0 is a bit faster at 480 mbs versus FW 400
at 400 mbs and from what I have learned USB 1.1 is slowest, I guess I am missing something, over thinking this or. Just want to do it safely, and get all of the inputs and out puts I need (I can even use the SP/Dif that comes on alot of Audio Interfaces, The AES Audio Engineers Society just wrapped up a convention and have been looking at their site and new product releases.
Any Input would be greatly appreciated and I wish I could write less and explain more!
David
ambienttales

If you can stretch your budget (quite a bit actually, but you can find deals on the net) I can't recommend the RME Fireface 800 models enough. Lots of I/O, never EVER had a crash, and the drivers and tools are rock solid. RME also makes a FF400 which has less I/O, but also costs less. The sound is steller, and it has no discernable noise. These are Firewire interfaces, but they just camme out with one that also talks USB.
Pete

Problem Using Zoom H4 as an Audio Interface with Garageband

I'm new to GB and I am having problems getting started using my Zoom H4 as an Audio Interface with Garageband on my iMAC.
I'm fairly certain that I have the connection and all of the setting configurations correct, and yet I cannot get any sound from the H4 into GB.
I do see the sound volume registering in the Input Level window of the H4, but not in GB.
Here is what I see in my Garageband:
Preferences >
Audio/MIDI >
- System Setting
- Built-in Microphone
- Built-in Input
- H4 Audio IN (when H4 is connected to the iMAC via USB)
Of course I have selected the H4.
Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. Operators standing by!

I don't have a H4 but do have a H2. Did you set the H4 as a audio interface, after you plug it in choose interface in the H4 screen?
Did you choose the H4 input channel in the track info?

I am buying an audio interface with Firewire output, would I feed this into Firewire,USB or Thunderbolt for Garageband?

I am buying an audio interface with Firewire output, would I feed this into Firewire,USB or Thunderbolt for Garageband?

I don't have a H4 but do have a H2. Did you set the H4 as a audio interface, after you plug it in choose interface in the H4 screen?
Did you choose the H4 input channel in the track info?

Recommendations for audio interface with new mac pro to avoid latency?

Hi friends,
I have a new Mac Pro on order for editing video in FCPX, but Presonus says my older Presonus Firebox won't work with Mavericks and the new Mac Pro. Do you have a recommendation for a replacement?
I only use the interface to drive 2 powered expternal speakers and a headset, so I don't need something super sophisticated.
As I read about units, almost all come with USB 2.0 connections. But the new Mac Pro only offers USB, Thunderbolt 2, Dual Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI 1.4 Ultra HD inputs. If I can't find a fairly inexpensive audio interface with USB 3.0, I'd have to go through another connection to get into the Mac Pro.
The key for me is to make sure and avoid latency, a critical issue for editing video.
Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks. Duncan

Thanks Mark and Smokerz,
Your point about USB2 working in USB3 ports is something I wasn't aware of. That opens a lot of doors for me. And I'll look into the Yamaha sound board as one possibility.
Thank you both for helping me.
Duncan

Can i use my usb audio interface with apple tv? For example Focusrite 2i2

can i use my usb audio interface with apple tv? For example Focusrite 2i2

Afraid not - AppleTV does not support USB audio devices.
I assume you don't mean using the device as an optical input for the computer, connecting AppleTV's optical out to it.

Using external Audio interfaces with Windows XP on an iMac

Does anybody know how to set the audio device used by this operating system running on an iMac to something other than Realtek HD? I have an Edirol Fa-101 audio interface that runs on my PC, and runs on my iMac perfectly.
I have installed the drivers onto Windows XP Pro runing on my iMac using Boot Camp, but I am unable to set the input and output audio devices in the "Sounds and Audio Devices" panel to anything other than realtek HD. Anyone got any ideas?

*"I have installed the drivers onto Windows XP Pro runing on my iMac using Boot Camp,"*
You should probably then post your question in the Boot Camp discussions:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1165

Audio interface for 24" iMac - conflict between firewire 400 and 800?

So, what I have now:
2.8ghz iMac, latest model, newest firmware, running OS 10.4.11, connected to an M-Audio Ozonic Firewire 400 interface, and I was hoping to run said interface while ALSO connecting a firewire 800 hard drive for samples, or for recording to.
Alas, as soon as I turn on the firewire 800 drive, a model sold by Other World Computing and containing an Oxford chipset, all audio stops on the Ozonic keyboard and is replaced by clicks and pops. The only way I've found to get the audio back is with a complete restart of the system, with the firewire 800 drive OFF.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the M-Audio device, it's a small keyboard and firewire audio interface in one unit. Perhaps not the highest quality, but my Powerbook G4 1.67 with firewire 800 CAN run both the Ozonic and the firewire 800 drive at the same time. With no interruption in sound playback.
I did some research and discovered that in the iMac I bought, the two firewire channels, 400 and 800, appear to be on the same PCI E bus, and perhaps will NEVER work together.
Is that right? I thought the whole point of firewire was how it's able to negotiate such communications and work seamlessly with other firewire devices. I know, I know, I'm living in dreamland, it's just sad that a much older Apple product (my PPC notebook), can do something a brand new model cannot. Sigh.
Any advice? Any chance 10.5 fixes this?
If not, should my next audio interface be USB 2.0? Any thoughts from the Audio pros out there (besides 'you bought the wrong machine) would be great.

Sorry I can't help with your specific query as I have never used that Audio hardware.
I am a video man myself and went for the 24" 2.8Ghz iMac as i believe the Firewire 400 and 800 Buses are seperate. I know on older iMacs and even the MacPro the FW800 and 400 buses were on the same bus and when connecting a firewire video camera to the FW400 bus, the 800 would lower it's speed to 400 to accomodate or in some cases would lose the connection all together.
I currently have a FW800 Hard drive connected to the FW800 port and a video deck in the FW400 port and they both run at full speed 800/400 respectively.
This leads me to believe Apple have fixed the Firewire sharing problem.
I know it's no help but just though I would share my experience with the Firewire on the new iMac.

Help setting up my audio interface with logic pro x

Hi everyone,
I am a newbie with regards to home recording and using Logic Pro X and I need some help and advice about setting up my home recording set up for the first time. I want to connect my synthesizer Korg Triton Extreme to my Audio Interface Steinberg UR22 to my Apple Imac computer.
What I would like is if I can create backing tracks or use pre-set sounds or drum patterns from my Korg Triton Extreme synthesizer and then transfer them onto Logic Pro X to help me compose songs.
How should I go about doing this? And what settings should be applied to Logic Pro X so that I can hear the songs as they are being played and recorded?
So far I have connected my synthesizer's two outputs to the two inputs on my Steinberg UR22 Audio Interface. I have also connected the USB point on the audio interface to my Apple Imac computer. But when I have tried to add a drum track from the Korg Triton Extreme synthesizer I cannot seem to add any of the drum sounds. Nothing appears to be recorded despite me trying several times. I cannot hear any sound coming from the audio interface either despite having a pair of headphones plugged into it.
I would also like to find a way to synchronise the drum tracks I want to record from my Korg Triton Extreme synthesizer to Logic Pro X. So that when I click on the record button on Logic Pro X the synthesizer track automatically starts playing and recording on Logic Pro X. Whats the best way to do this? And will I need a Midi cable for any of the things I want to do?
Many thanks,
James.

Hi James
I just got myself a macbook pro and logic pro X, and I also have a Triton Extreme and the UR22. So I know what the learning curve can be like - it's been a long time since I've used a sequencer in a computer.
I assume you are aware of the difference between audio and midi? With your current setup, all you can do is play your Triton and record the sounds as audio loops - you should be able to hear the Triton through headphones plugged into the UR22, and (assuming you have installed the UR22 driver) you can also hear the Triton through your computer speakers (or headphone output) once you tell Logic there is sound coming in from the UR22.
If you want to be able to play the sounds in logic pro, or transfer drum patterns (which are in midi format), you will definitely need midi cables (you may be able to use midi by connecting the Triton's USB out to your computer, but having not tried that, I don't know if it will work - it does on more recent synths)
paul

5.1 Audio playback with FCPX & iMAC?

Hi,
FCPX, 2011 iMac, 10.7.3
I'm working on a project requiring 5.1 audio panning. I have a 2011 iMac connected to a Yamaha 5.1 receiver via an optical link however I am only sending stereo PCM to the receiver.
Do I need specialized hardware in order to monitor multichannel audio?
If so any recomendations?
Thanks
Brett

I am going to pre-emp the next question by describing something that most will gladly ignore:
How to create a 5.1 surround audio file...I hope this workflow is accurate
This should clear the room...:-)
Creating 5.1 Audio for surround sound is mostly about getting to grips with Logic Pro…not for the faint hearted.
Bringing the mixed bounced audio into FCPX is the easy bit at the end…
Another approach may be to bring 6 tracks into FCPX and do the mix there…
but I have never tried it so I will describe the Logic approach.
if anyone finds any problems here or mistakes please let us know…geoff
This workflow is for a Motu 828 audio interface,
(other multiple input and output interfaces maybe similar…) using Logic Pro.
Logic is a very complex app but I will describe here a quick intro
to mixing your audio, by doing a simple test with software instrument tracks.
The workflow is very similar for audio tracks in Logic, instead of creating the 6 software instrument tracks ,
create 6 audio tracks and drop your sounds onto them.
You will need:
Motu 828 or similar, 5 speakers and a subwoofer and a 5.1 amplifier, Logic Pro.
Attach your speakers to 5.1 amp and connect to Motu, connect Motu to Mac via firewire…(others maybe USB)
turn it all on.
Openi audio midi setup In Mac from Finder >Applications > Utilities >audio midi setup > Audio devices
RMB in left column over Motu 828, in input tab select "use this device for sound input" same for output…
change Format to 48000hz, I use analogue at the moment.
configure speakers for surround while you are there, button bottom right corner of window…
(optional) changeLogic to 64 bit in Finder >Applications:
click Logic app icon once and cmd+i - uncheck open in 32 bit.
Start Logic
Start a new empty Logic project with 6 software instrument tracks and Output Surround.
in Logic:
File> project Settings > Audio Sample Rate 48.000khz , Surround Format 5.1
check Logic prefs > audio are output and input to Motu.
Check Logic prefs general>caps lock keys is enabled
Check Mac System prefs > Sound are also seeing Motu as out and in.
in Logic:
Notice the Channel strips on the bottom left of the screen, the left one is the track input and the right is overall output.
To test the system do the, although you can create audio tracks and drop your files onto them if you want when you have got a working system.
Select track 1, and in input channel strip click Setting and choose an instrument setting e.g. World>Caribbean>drums
(The right hand channel strip is output and we don't need to add any Setting to that just yet)
enable record in selected track 1 - ctrl+R or click little 'R' button in track
put caps lock on, on Mac keyboard (MKB)
notice floating window representing a MKB
type on your Mac keyboard ASDGFGHJDGHJ hear the music?
turn off the caps lock keyboard by turning off caps lock key on MKB
This is a cheap and easy way to make any amount of sounds without buying a midi keyboard,
and works with thousands of preinstalled instruments.
Record some music:
Go to the start of the timeline, start recording by either hitting R (if caps lock off) on MKB or
pressing the eighth button in the row to the left of the centre bottom panel, (the last button in the transport controls section)
Play some sounds on your MKB (with aps lock on)
Hit the space bar to stop recording.
Select each track and add a new instrument by holding down the Settings button and choosing from the many options.
Record something on each track/instrument.
In the track input channel strip double click the surround icon - a circle with a dot. This makes a bigger surround control for the track.
The placement of the sound can be controlled from here as can the amount of LFE (subWoof) for each track.
If you have your speakers setup correctly you will be able to move the sound all around the room and to the centre.
Leave the LFE in the middle for most instruments usually…the Bass maybe more…:-)
Double click each surround icon in each track…they are all independent.
save…not auto save here
Bounce:
Click the bounce icon top right Logic window
Save as destination and name 5.1mySong.
check PCM uncheck all others, select PCM Destination line to see options to the right
Below left check start and end times, offline, normalise = overload protection only
To right File format etc.: AIFF, 24bit ,48khz ,interleaved ,dithering none, surround bounce,
click Bounce button at bottom of this window.
Find the file and drag it into iTunes
In FCPXproject with properties surround sound- audio pan mode none:
find the file…
drag it to the timeline…
play the timeline and notice the 6 tracks in audio meters
export as H.264…or your favourite.
play the movie check audio coming out of all speakers
Done…take a break

Are USB audio interface issues on iMac Haswell resolved?

HI,
i just ordered a 27 inch iMac, maxed out with a 1TB SSD.
I noticed the imac doesn't have an audio in jack and figured i'd shop for a good USB Audio Interface.
But then i came across all these USB audio interface issues on the new iMac.
This is incredible to me because iMacs are often used by creative people and lots of musicians.
For me audio is VERY important. I record music and i record sound for animation and video.
Apple thus far seemed to be avoiding the topics and issues at hand.
Are the USB audio issues resolved? What was resolved? What was the problem (Maverick? Fusion Drive)?
Is it wise to choose for a Thunderbolt Interface? Which one?
Any help would be hugely appreciated.
Especcialy since it seems such a wide spread problem.
Thanx

doubt it would be a general issue
usb is a universal serial bus it always require a driver for anything
and the driver of one external audio device would act different then the driver from another external audio device
so it would be very unlikely that an external audio card using a cirrus logic audio chip would cause the same issues with the imac as one with a realtek or soundblaster audio chip
not that there could not be issues with all of them but not likely that they would suffer from the same issue

Audio Interfaces With Logic Express.

Hi,
I'm new to the Mac world, I've just bought one of the 20" iMac's with duo processors. I want to run Logic Express and eventually move up to Logic.
I come from PC back ground, I run I use a Behringer UB1202FX mixer, Tannoy Reveal Passive Monitors, Oxygen 8 MIDI keyboard and Cambridge Audio A1 MK3 integrated amp. plugged into a 24 bit /96khz soundcard.
I know I've to get a external audio interface to get 24 bit sound and to allow me to plug in my external equipment. Does anyone have recommendations? I looking for something around £300 maximum (not sure what that is in $)
Thanks.
Pentium 4 Windows XP Dell

Hi,
you don't say how many ins you'll need.
There's a good handfull out there for you too choose from,
USB or Firewire? Firewire will be my bet.
try those to see if tou like 'em, M-Audio's: Firewire 410
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWire410-main.html
more ins: firewire 1814 -
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWire1814-focus.html
try to see the prices here in pounds:
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/?categoryid=aa5045ac8dbda1110af5783d9c9b8f89&order=&page=shop%2Fmanufacturer-stock&manufa cturerid=54
Anyway, there are others, but for the price you're asking, it's a good starting point and you get a good product!
regards,
Jorge

How do I use an audio interface with iMovie?

I'm trying to shoot a short clip of a musician playing. I want to use an interface with my higher end mics, and use iMovie '09 to shoot video. I have a Presonus Firebox as my interface. iMovie just doesn't seem to want to recognize it, nor record through it. This isn't something I can share to GarageBand because the timing between the video and audio has to be perfect. Any help?
Thanks

Just buy the proper adapter cord, such as MiniDisplay port to HDMI for example. Plug it in and it will be automatically recognized. Use System Preferences > Displays to set options.
The display can Mirror your primary desktop or Extend the Desktop.
Regards,
Captfred

The best audio interface with Mac Mini using new & existing equipment?

Hi,
I got my existing set-up back in 2003. I'm now about to update it.
I've talked to Apple Technical Support re which computer is best for me.
Some important questions remain in terms of the audio interface or sound bridge I should use.
I've detailed below my existing set-up, my existing configuration, my desired set-up (as recommended by Apple expert) and questions I have.
Existing set-up:
Hardware...
1. ViewSonic HDMI 1080p Full HD LED monitor
2. PowerMac G4 (PowerPC processor) computer
3. PCI-424 soundcard within computer (works in conjunction with MOTU 2408 mk3 unit)
4. MOTU 2408 mk3
5. Quested monitors
6. Focusrite Session Pack ff ISA220 compressor
7. MOTU micro lite (midi-usb interface)
8. Keyboard (yet to choose - I'll explain later)
9. ADK Tube Condenser Commemorative Edition microphone
10. ADK Tube Condenser Commemorative Edition microphone power box (supplies both power and phantom power)
Software...
11. Tiger 10.4.11 operating system
12. Logic Studio 8 music program
Desired set-up:
1. ViewSonic HDMI 1080p Full HD LED monitor
2. Mac Mini full spec = £999.00
3. _______________________________________
4. _______________________________________
5. Quested monitors
6. _______________________________________
7. _______________________________________
8. _______________________________________
9. ADK Tube Condenser Commemorative Edition microphone
10. ADK Tube Condenser Commemorative Edition microphone power box (supplies both power and phantom power)
Software...
11. Top-end operating system = Comes with Mac Mini
12. Logic Pro X music program = £139.99
Existing configuration:
ViewSonic HDMI 1080p Full HD LED monitor goes into PowerMac G4 (PowerPC processor) computer
PCI-424 soundcard within computer (works in conjunction with MOTU 2408 mk3 unit)
MOTU 2408 mk3 used as my audio interface for sound in and sound out. This means that the sound comes out of computer via the MOTU 2408 and out of my Quested monitors (they are active so self-powered) which are attached to the MOTU's outputs.
When I record vocals I sing into my ADK microphone (this microphone sources its own power from its own box which also feeds it Phantom Power) which is connected by a mic to jack cable to the Focusrite compressor which is connected by jack to jack cable to the MOTU 2408 which then goes into my computer via a firewire cable.
When I play keyboards or use my keyboard as a midi controller it connects to my computer via the MOTU micro lite (midi-usb interface).
I don't currently have a keyboard. I used to use my basic Yamaha PSR-540 keyboard as a midi controller but as it's not weighted and faulty I needed to get a new one. We got a new one via Thomann which was the M-Audio Pro Keys 88 keyboard but this quickly became faulty. We returned it and have since been considering other weighted keyboards. I am simply wanting a keyboard with Aftertouch, either 76 or 88 keys, weighted keys and very importantly, hammer action where the action is fast. I don't care for other controllers on the keyboard, on-board sounds, iPad compatibility or whatever.
My Questions:
Q1) Can you recommend any keyboards meeting my specifications?
Q2) I can't imagine any of the Blue or other USB mics competing with my ADK and I'm quite happy with it. For vocals and when I've wanted to play the keyboard in as audio (not as a midi controller) I've used the Focusrite compressor to boost the sound. I'm not using many functions/presets on the compressor as I know it's best to record the sound of vocals mostly raw, is this correct, and if so is it worth me continuing to use this compressor or sell it?
Q3) Do I need to have the MOTU micro lite (midi to usb) unit? Don't most keyboards these days connect direct usb to usb on the computer?
Q4) I'm happy and used to the sound out from my Quested monitors. I'm happy and used to the sound in using my ADK microphone. What do I need for these to work best with the Mac Mini? Is my MOTU 2408 good for this, or is another MOTU product needed, or another product altogether?
Q5) Depending on (Q4) do I need a soundcard installed in the Mac Mini as I read on a forum that these days the audio interface acts like the soundcard?
Q6) I have such a bad connection to the internet it's like I have Dial-up!!! I use Airport Wireless which is connected to a router downstairs, which is 02 Broadband. Internet's not an issue downstairs on my girlfriend's intel PC which also uses a wireless connection but not Airport. Is this a problem because of my Airport, or do I need to get a router for upstairs, or should I connect it directy to the router downstairs by ethernet cable?
Many thanks!

Is there a reason you don't want to use your current Tascam?

Setting up an audio interface with logic 9

hey im still pretty new to this. i have a powerbook G4 with logic pro 9. i just got a steinberg CI1 usb audio interface which i was told would work with logic. (http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/hardware/ci1/ci1_start.html) im recording vocals and im having trouble with logic picking up any audio. ive installed the drivers and my mac has no problem discovering the interface. i went into logic and it intilized the core audio, and then i went to "prefrences" and set the audio input/output to the interface. i can hear myself with the headphones i connect to the interface and i can also hear the instrumental music coming from logic. The problem is logic wont pick up any of my vocals. I set the track to record enable and i still have nothing. Any help? Thanks!
oh and i tried it with garageband and it worked fine, so im pretty sure it has to do something with the setting on logic. any help would be appreciated!

Hey bud i was able to sort it quite easily in the end!
Ensure u have latest drivers installed!
Restart your mac! Ensure interface is plugged in
Load logic!
Click the + to add a new track:- select audio instrument!
Enable record and monitoring! Choose the channel you want to record from!
You may have to select your interface as your output if monitors are being used through the interface!
Hey presto!

Audio Interface with Seamless IMac Compatiblity?

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