Good laptop audio interface?

I'm trying to help my friend set up a laptop with logic 7.1. trying to keep the price down, so plan on having him by a g4 notebook, an oxegen 8 keyboard, borrowed mics from me and some kind of audio interface. Also wondered if the notebook as apposed to a powerbook is a real bad idea. He's going to use it for writing mostly and bring stuff to me to mix with my tdm system and dmx r-100 so he doesn't need a lot of juice. anything else I should know? thanks in advance

Hi John,
Saved by Tech in Toronto have them in stock now. I believe the first North American shippings have been done this week. I messed a bit with it last night and I'm very enthusiastic. The Saffire Console GUI is very nice and they've done a great job with the plug-ins. The EQ is very interesting. Only the amp simulator is poor but I didn't buy it for that! Preamps seem to be the same as the MBox. Hardware quality is very good. I had to try to upgrade the firmware three times before it worked but now everything is ok. Drivers seems very solid. I tried a buffer setting of 128 samples without any glitches. You can have two separate headphones mixes plus the master.

Similar Messages

  • Good Mac Audio Interface

    Hi Guys,
    I'm looking for a good Mac Audio Interface (preferably FireWire), and was wondering if any of you have any suggestions.
    Currently I already have my microphone (Heil PR-40), and I'm looking for an audio interface which I can use to caputre the audio from the microphone in my Mac Pro.
    I tried out a TC Konnekt Desktop 6 earlier, but for some reason it didn't seem to be working. The audio guy who helped me said that there was a problem with the device, and that the input audio level seemed to be way below what it's supposed to be. This resulted in no audio at all from the microphone
    Does anyone have any suggestions for other Audio Interfaces ?
    Any help is welcome.
    Regards,
    Stefaan

    Hello Stefaan,
    At the time I was comparing the MOTU 8Pre with the Presonus Firepod. Presonus has since changed their model and I am unfamiliar with the features the new model possesses so can not provide an accurate comparison between the two. It has been years but I can tell you what I remember.
    MOTU has preamp available for all 8 inputs with optional phantom power support where Presonus had preamp input for only first 4 tracks and other 4 tracks had analog input without preamp. MOTU had inputs on back Presonus on front. MOTU had 24 bit 96khz recording I don't remember if Presonus did or not however it seems there is 24 bit depth 96khz on FP10 from reviewing their tech specs. MOTU had optical converter Oi don't see any on FP10. MOTU was just a better buy. There's LED audio level indicator on it FP10 doesn't have one and it seemed as though MOTU produced a better, more clear sound.
    Only thing I liked about Presonus that MOTU did not have was in the knobs. The knobs on the Presonus were ratcheted so with every change in level you made with the knob the knob would "click" into place with the adjustment. This made for precise adjustment of input levels. The MOTU has fluid level knobs so when you make an adjustment the knobs moves smoothly when adjusted whereas the Presonus would click, click, click as you adjusted the level with the knob. This is one feature the MOTU lacks that Presonus has and I wish the MOTU 8Pre had this one feature. This has not caused any dramatic setback in my production workflow and I do not regret my purchase decision of choosing the MOTU 8Pre over the Presonus Firepod.
    Both devices mentioned have a high demand for power and are unable to be powered through the computer bus. They need to be plugged in separately to work. You may find a more portable device meets your needs such as the bus powered ultralite-mk3. I have not used it but it looks like MOTU's solution for a portable, bus-powered preamp interface. mk3 and 8Pre look like they're in the same price range but you are giving up expandability features for portability. This may be a consideration if the work you do required mobility. For myself I do a lot of studio recording with the Mac Pro so I chose the 8Pre.

  • Laptop audio interface for Studio work?

    I'm looking for a solid (works when you plug it in) 2 channel audio interface for my laptop. (G4, 1.67GHZ, 1gb ram, 7200rpm internal HD, LP 7.01, Tiger)
    All I need it for, is to use as an output to play sounds via keyboard from Logic, for a live studio session.(Ivory piano, EVB3, synths, drum programming and etc.)
    My laptop wil be used like a sound module so it would be nice to have this interface to have midi ports as well.
    It doesn't have to be the best convertors in the world just want them to be clean and as good as you would find in a stock Yamaha or Roland keyboard ($2k -range).
    Oh yeah - which is better?: Firewire or USB 2.0

    Ooo, that is awesome, except it costs twice as much as the studio monitors! The other solutions I was looking at are in the $150 (Presonus Audiobox USB) to $190 (E-MU 0404 USB) range. I was hoping for something under $100, ideally with balanced audio. Probably too much to ask for!
    But I have a question for you... do you get a lag in sync when you go through the FireWire mixer? On a different forum I was reading that if you want sync for video it's better to find an external converter that connects to the optical digital out (TOSLINK, S/PDIF) than one that connects via FireWire or USB as that means a new digital clock master. I would like not to have to worry about adjusting to get sync, but if it's less than a frame I'm not worried about it.

  • Audio INTERFACE that works with Garage Band??

    Any suggestions for a good inexpensive audio interface? Fast Track is awful.... Something about 250 or under?
    Want to plug guitar into device, device into MAC - and lay down tracks.

    ZoohGirl wrote:
    Do the second two in the top row work with Garage Band
    there isn't such a thing as "working with GB", if it works on a mac it will work with GB
    and ProTools?
    i know very little about protools, though they tend to be more proprietary
    can we plug them in (to guitar and MAC) and roll?
    yes
    Or is a mic needed??
    "needed", no. there are both 1/4" as well as XLR jacks, as you can see in the pics. you can use either.

  • USB Audio Interface Mystery

    I have an HP Envy TouchSmart m7.  Purchased it with Win 8 and upgraded to Win 8.1 update 1 (with August 2014 update).
    No issues with the exception of a USB device.  I normally have not used any USB devices - no USB keyboard, no USB printer, etc.. I have used a USB mouse once in a blue moon - but I do use a USB audio interface for my MIDI keyboard regularly.
    It works fine until I connect a cable from any of the outputs to a mixer or amp.  Within minutes, I hear a click and my audio driver stops responding as if the device rebooted - I'm assuming because of a USB power or data drop-out.  I've replaced my audio interface, tried different power sources, different locations, all types of surge strips, modified power settings, replaced mixers, upgraded my BIOS, checked Windows updates, been talking with the maker of my audio interface (who even sent me custom drivers) and talking with the makers of my music software - all of them are at wits end saying to simply use another computer.
    Help - help and help!  I cannot perform with my audio interface not working.  I have to connect it in order to hear sound.  Everything seems to point to hardware on my laptop.  Any ideas or fixes for this laptop?
    Thanks,
    Chris

    Hello,
    AS I stated earlier - the maker of the problematic device (which has a solid reputation) has sent me new drivers that aren't widely available although the drivers seemed and still seem solid and I've never mentioned nor had an issue with latency.  Although you said I didn't mention updating any of the drivers, I may have inferred it by saying I installed any and all Windows updates which included drivers.
    I have worked with PC's for 20 years, building, supporting, programming, etc.. I have seen a plethora of problems that run the gamut of easy to very complex and even to unexplainable - which I usually don't accept.. lol.  This laptop runs smooth and I've tuned it up as my main music machine but this issue runs pretty deep and on the surface I can't see a driver issue, no latency issues and no updates pending for anything.  What has my curiousity and perhaps I've not been as detailed as I shoud have been but that this problem does NOT occur and may never have  occurred if I only used headphones.  It only happens when a cable - any cable - is plugged up from my audio device to another device like a mixer or amp.
    That's why I explored grouding issues, electrical possibilities etc.  This may be a complex combination of several factors.  Maybe a USB issue, along with a driver and/or even a deep OS issue along with grounding?
    Thanks for the link to Windows 8 Tuning Tips for Audio processing but honestly, I had already performed these modifications way before I found that article and read it even before you posted the link.  But thanks for being thorough.
    I'd actually be happy if I had to address some clicking or popping - but a complete failure when only cables are connected?  What can I do in the cabling to prevent surges?  I hate to purchase expensive equipment to troubleshoot this, find a surge issue only to have to purchase another laptop, audio interface or something.  Throwing more money at it for only troubleshooting purposes doesn't seem pleasant to me.
    I have blue screen logs, memory dump files, etc which have been handed over to Focusrite and still nothing.  I'd like to install Win 10 on it to see if this reoccurs or drop back to Win 7.  I don't know what to do,,,  my first audio interface device to fulfill my dreams of playing live performances and I hit this.. Agh!!!
    Frustrated but still willing to troubleshoot,
    Thanks,
    Chris

  • 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

  • What's a good hardware set up for a solo musician? USB pedal USB keyboard audio interface MIDI interface?

    I am new to Main Stage. I have not bought any hardware interfaces yet because I don't know what will be the most flexible in the long run. I would be using the Main Stage's innate synths and keyboards, drums, an acoustic/electric guitar, bass, harmonicas and vocals. What type of hardware would you recommend? MIDI/USB keyboards? MIDI interface? Audio interface? USB pedal board controllers?
    Would guys help me with specific suggestions and pointer on how I can make a good choice based on my needs?
    much thanks!
    Fabio. 

    Then below this is the recording level slider which is all the way to the left or at 0. This is where the problem lies I think as this slider is greyed out and cannot be moved!
    for this part:
    http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#volumesliderdimmed
    (Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)

  • Need Recomendation For Good Audio INterface

    Hello All!
    I recently got a macbook for christmas along with the GuitarBox from M-Audio.
    I am wanting to record more than just two input tracks...possibly 8 for a live band.
    Does anyone have a recommendation for a good audio interface that works well with Garageband?
    Again..I think I would want to have 4-8 simultaneous tracks being recorded. Im really concerned with recording a drum set.
    Thanks
    TB

    8 for a live band.
    top left corner:
    http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Interfaces.html

  • Good but not too expensive audio interface

    Hi,
    Can anyone recommend any reasonably cheap audio interfaces that have an xlr mic input and either a firewire output or usb output for use with garageband? I want a good enough signal to be able to record some near professional level vocals ( I realise this is a bit of an arbitrary measurement of quality but you know what I mean). I tried the Phonic Firefly 302 but the signal was terrible and I couldn't get it to work properly (presuming that the signal I got wasn't the best it transmits).
    Cheers.

    I also have an ART Tube MP - bought it especially for my 2 Valve Juniors (1 head & cab and 1 V3 Combo)... it works very nice as a volume boost for the cleans (after about 11:00 o'clock the VJ becomes raunchy) and also as a bit of a gain boost too when I crank em up - you can actually overdrive the 12AX7 tube in it. Nice lil' "mod" that requires no soldering and mucking about inside the VJ. I like mine a lot.

  • Recommend a good Firewire Audio Midi Interface.

    Aloha All
    What are your recommendations for a good firewire midi/audio interface($200-$500 range). Set up is a Yamaha DX7IIFD for midi control(midiman midisport), several synth modules, an 8 channel mixer with mic, guitar input.
    I'd like to use my old iBook to drive some old midi files (seperate device) on the modules and capture the audio on the new iMac as clean as possible.

    Check on the Alesis io14 or io26 -- I read all the forums and this one is coming up as the best, especially at the price. Also recommended by my pro audio guru friend (not a salesperson). I bought it and it worked immediately with my MacBook Pro.....for both audio and MIDI. It's in your price range, and believe me the io26, in particular, is a lot of high-end audio for the money. It's light, compact, but most of all it has some of the best components and construction you can buy.
    The following link is to a Harmony Central pro review of the io26. Review is located at http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1562285
    It's a long thread, dating back to its introduction in March, 07, and there is some discussion of early problems with certain computers and sequencing software. If you read through the entire thread you'll see they were resolved and that the reviews are very, very positive---especially the pro audio review by the Harmony Central reviewer.

  • Audio Interface: Mackie Onyx 1640 with Firewire - How good is it?

    Hey,
    I was about to buy a RME Fireface 800 as my Audio Interface, but then checking the Mackie HR824 Monitors (first i wanted to buy the Genelec 8030) i discovered the Onyx 1640 with Firewire, which of course is not a new product.
    So, the dealer told me that the PreAmps and quality overall of the Onyx1640 is almost the same to the RME Fireface800, being the Fireface slightly superior.
    Now the great thing is that IF the Onyx is that good, i could shot 2 ducks with the same bullet because with that Mixer/AudioInterface, besides using it for recordings, I could rehearsal with my band as well in my "studio"... and even record some jam sessions.
    BUT the question is, how good is the Onys 1640 really in comparison to the e.g. RME Fireface 800 ??
    Has anybody experience with the Onyx ?
    For recording I would set a MindPrint MKII between the AudioInterface and Mic for voices.
    Thanks in advance for your opinion/advice!
    Cheers!

    Now the great thing is that IF the Onyx is that good,
    i could shot 2 ducks with the same bullet because
    with that Mixer/AudioInterface, besides using it for
    recordings, I could rehearsal with my band as well
    in my "studio"... and even record some jam sessions.
    in advance for your opinion/advice!
    Cheers!
    I cannot comment on the Onyx though I just wanted to let
    you know that the FF800 can be used as a stand alone unit
    and does not need a computer. You could set up a preset
    to do any configuation you need for any situation. I have mine
    in a mounted in a portable rack case. Of course paired with
    MacBook Pro you would be a formidable portable solution.

  • Hi, Ive been trying to hook up my M-Audio interface to my Mac Book Pro 15 laptop and it doesnt have the same size firewire port is there some kind of adapter i can buy?

    Hi, Ive been trying to hook up my M-Audio interface to my Mac Book Pro 15 laptop and it doesnt have the same size firewire port is there some kind of adapter i can buy?

    Just Google for a Firewire 400 to Firewire 800 cable, you are sure that this is what you have I hope?

  • Audio Interface Recognized, then Immediately Dropping

    Hello all. This is my first post on here and I'm hoping I could get some solid advice.
    I'm using Logic Pro 8 for live recording and my computer meets all required specifications. We use a TASCAM-1641 USB audio interface for our recording.
    Sometimes Logic recognizes my interface and we get through an entire night of recording. However, a majority of the time the software recognizes the interface when I power it up. I the select the interface in Core Audio, and then about 20 seconds later I get a message stating: Logic can no longer detect the US-1641. Switching to default setting.
    No matter if I reboot the computer, restart the program, create new song, etc., the problem does not resolve.
    Does anyone know what could case this "drop" of the interface? After this happens, my friend switches in his computer with GarageBand and it's good to go, so it's definitely not the USB cable or the interface. It has to be some audio setting on my laptop or soething with Logic.
    Thanks in advance for the help.

    I have a feeling that the ports on your laptop may not be USB 2, just regular USB. That appears to be the case with my 2007 MacBook Pro. If you look at System Profiler, the only high speed USB port is the one used internally by the built-in webcam.
    I don't know which Mac laptop you have; if it's a regular MacBook then you're SOL, but if it has a PC or Expresscard slot then you could use something like this:
    http://www.sonnettech.com/product/fwusbexpresscard34.html
    (Sonnet tends to be expensive - you'd want to shop around.)
    If my theory is correct AND if you have a MacBook with no card slot, your only option is to put your interface on ebay and buy a FireWire one. But I don't know that my theory is correct - it's just an educated guess.

  • Windows and firewire audio interfaces

    I have a new MBP I'm getting set up with windows, and everything has gone fine but I'm stuck trying to get my Presonus Firebox audio interface to work. I've been poking around and it seems to be a pretty wide spread problem, so I thought I would consolidate some information and hopefully get a few recommendations.
    My basic problem is that the Firebox seems to install fine, but is not useable by any application (ASIO reports the error "No sound device is connected to the PC." when selecting the Firebox). I've done the usual tests, and the device works fine in OS X, in Windows on different computers, etc. Only issue is in Windows running under boot camp.
    The problem doesn't seem confined to a specific windows version (personally tried XP SP2 and SP3, seen reports of Vista).
    The problem doesn't seem confined to a specific audio interface. In addition to my Firebox, I've seen reports for
    Edirol FA-101
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1528317&tstart=0
    Presonus Firestudio
    M-Audio ProFire 26
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7254908&#7254908
    Tascam Fw1082
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7274776&#7274776
    The problem does not seem to be about the firewire chipset (I've seen reports of problems with some chipsets, but my MBP is several days old with the TI chipset, which as far as I know has no known problems).
    The primary app I use that's critical needs ASIO drivers, so I installed ASIO4ALL and that works fine -- it's not a long-term solution, but I can run with it for a little while. Right now I'm primarily interested in understanding what the variables are, i.e., are there any interfaces known to work with my config of hardware, or is there anyone using my config that's running one of these 'problem' interfaces without problems? I've got the 15" MBP at 2.6, with 4 GB of main memory and 512 MB of video.
    thanks much,
    eric

    Also please have some sympathy for the Apple programmers.
    This has been an extremely frustrating experience, and it's started me off on the mac platform feeling pretty negatively toward apple. I get that boot camp is a collision of independent companies where no one really has full responsibility, and I don't fault apple for bad drivers (including some REALLY bad drivers, like the broadcom wireless, which I think is dubious to even claim that it works). I have two basic issues with apple: I wish they would have acknowledged the existing problems on the front page of the support, and provided links (making sure everyone knows up front you should try turning off wireless would resolve a number of complaints here). Also, for us laptop users, I have issues with being dependent on apple for drivers (i.e. for the nvidia card). Not knowing if a problem is fixed by a recent driver, and not having access to that driver, is very frustrating. There's the same problem with PC vendors, but at least they have market pressure to keep drivers up to date; Apple has a monopoly on machines that run OS X.
    How do you like that Tascam unit?
    Now that I've had it a little while, I'm very impressed. What I don't like:
    * The largish form factor and ridiculous big knob and buttons that I find worthless.
    What I'm ambivalent on:
    * The sound quality -- at first I thought it wasn't very good, but I suspect I was being subtly influenced by the fact that I think it's hideously ugly. Now, with it at home and integrated, it sounds pretty good, the output at least is approaching the firebox/828mkII range. Don't know about the preamps, that's hard to say without A/Bing but they are at least decent. Overall I have no complaints at all with the sound quality, certainly not enough for me to pull out another device and really try and compare.
    What I like:
    * The drivers are multiclient, letting multiple audio apps run simultaneously -- not sure how common that is, half the interfaces I've owned can do that and half can't.
    * Fully bus-powered. The firebox has a problem where, on the new MBP, you need to have the power supply plugged in when first starting up; it's nice to not deal with that.
    * And then a couple small things that are obvious from the pictures: The knobs are reasonably spaced (the firebox and some motu's are way too close together); dual headphone jacks is nice; independent volume and gain controls on everything is nice (my old 828mkII had a single encoder for both volume and main outs, which drove me nuts).
    Overall, for the price you can get them at now (US$135), I think it's a really, really good deal.

  • Lenovo g580 do I need to buy an external audio interface to record live instruments and voice ?

    Hello,  If anyone could help me please ?, I am wondering do I need to buy an external audio interface to record live instruments and voice onto my lenovo g580.?
    My friends have said that good laptops have audio interface's built in... but I cannot see how this could work as I am trying to build a home recording studio. Do they mean that I just need to have a mixing desk ? As the audio interface is already in my laptop, ?
    Another question I have is... I have bought a microphone to record with a studio mic. But when I plug it into the headphone socket, it works as a speaker and not as a microphone. Please can you tell me how do I make it work as a microphone, and record on ableton. Thanks. I live alone with two cats so I'd really appreciate some help ! 
    Thank you very much, best wishes. 

    man 'O tunes wrote:
    I'm preparing to expand my studio from a 1 man songwriting system,
    to add the capability to record a complete live band, with 16 separate
    simultaneous tracks recording. Am I dreaming?
    Nope. I've been recording live bands with up to 56 channels at 24 bit 48kHz for three years now.
    1) Does my computer have enough native power to handle such a task?
    Yes. The actual recording uses the hard drive buss, so you need to make sure you have fast drives and a dedicated FW or SATA buss for them.
    2) Is there an audio interface device that could help shoulder some of
    the cpu load?
    No. CPU is used only for routing audio, effects, etc. An audio interface is used to route the audio in and out of the computer, and as such does not process effects at all.
    3) is it possible to use my multiple, fast internal drives to help?
    Yes. Although with Logic Pro you can use only one drive at a time for recording. HOWEVER, I have been able to use SATA drives to record up to 56 tracks AT ONCE. So there is plenty of power there.
    4) If not 16, what's the highest realistic track count I can hope for?
    Again, I have done 56 tracks. 16 is a walk in the park in comparison to 56. I would recommend you invest in Apogee AD16X and DA16X, since in one interface you get ALL 16 inputs, and the other gives you the 16 outputs to go to, say, a mixer. And the sound quality is very very very good.
    thanks in advance
    You're welcome.
    Cheers

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