Best Audio Interface to use with iMac?

How many inputs? Budget? How many preamps needed?

I'm a fan of the motu stuff. The 8Pre is an interesting device, but I worry about the long-term viability of FireWire. It's still what I would get for myself is I was looking to buy. It has 8 good mic preamps with phantom power for $550 or so. The Audio Express may suit you better. It has fewer inputs, only two mic preamps, but it's hybrid FireWire & USB and its $400 or so.

I've been antiTascam for some time, but they have a couple of new USB devices that look interesting and relatively cheap. I love having 8 inputs, though, so I can leave a couple of synths plugged in in addition to a couple mics, my bass, and one cord for an electric guitar of my choosing. If you ever plan on recording live drums, you'll want to considerhowmany mics you prefer for that, too, and makesure you'll have enough mic preamps for that to happen.

tekboi said:

maybe around the $500-$600 range. I'm looking for something with at least 4 inputs. I'm not sure about preamps at all?

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Then I always loved Mackie Mixing Equipment.

tekboi said:

maybe around the $500-$600 range. I'm looking for something with at least 4 inputs. I'm not sure about preamps at all?

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Any of the top names. I like Presonus and I'd go for the "audio box"
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBox1818/
But MOTU and others make competing products.

Buy at last 50% more inputs than you think you need. If you have then you will find a use for them.

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satcomer said:

Then I always loved Mackie Mixing Equipment.

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I don't think he wants a mixer. Do that with the DAW software (Logic, I assume?) But a control surface would be really nice to have. If money is an issue they make iPad/iPhone based control surfaces. These are really inexpensive if you happen to already have the iPad.

If you don't fear buying used (craigslist etc) - i'd go for anything RME or current Motu - not because they sound any better than anything else in the price range (well, they do, but...) - it's because their drivers are ROCK solid.

MOTU.

Try an UltraLite.

I use an Edirol FA-66. It supports OS X's CoreAudio and CoreMIDI, so requires no drivers. It's FireWire, and can run self-powered from the FW cable.

It's got 6 inputs and 6 outputs, of various types: XLR/0.25" jack, line-in, digital, MIDI, etc.