cheap audio interface suggestions

tast01 · Mar 3, 2008, 04:43 PM

Im looking for a cheap (200 or less) firewire/usb audio interface to record simple guitar and vocal tracks on my MBP. I only require this to record simple guitar/vocal tracks and no more (2 channels max). Any suggestions that work well with garageband?

Drumjim85 · 05:09 PM

I've always had good luck with m-audio stuff (and i've always had big issues with presonus)

EDIT:
Firewire 410
or
Firewire Solo

The 410 is going to be better, but it might just be out of your price range...
But for a $50 difference in MSRP, i'd say its worth it...

EDIT2:
Sorry, the 410 is $150 more ... i would look into the Solo and see if it fits your needs..

tast01 · Mar 3, 2008, 05:14 PM

I assume most audio interfaces are compatible with Garage Band, does M-Audio generally work well garage band?

Drumjim85 · Mar 3, 2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tast01

I assume most audio interfaces are compatible with Garage Band, does M-Audio generally work well garage band?

i don't use or have garage band, but i have every reason to believe that it would work perfect with it (or any other program)

but to be safe, you could read the manual or find out whats compatible or not ..

Nalo · Apr 23, 2009, 02:05 PM

How about the MXL iBooster. It retails at $39.95 or $34.95 on Zzound. Looks sweet too...

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MSEIBOOSTER

ChrisA · Apr 23, 2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nalo

How about the MXL iBooster. It retails at $39.95 or $34.95 on Zzound. Looks sweet too...

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MSEIBOOSTER

It's not a USB or FW audio interface. It is a preamp. It also appears to lack an XML input jack for a mic and there is no gain control or level adjustment.

Drumjim85 · Apr 23, 2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisA

It's not a USB or FW audio interface. It is a preamp. It also appears to lack an XML input jack for a mic and there is no gain control or level adjustment.

XLR?

VirtualRain · Apr 23, 2009, 06:13 PM

The nicest one I've seen around $200 is the TC electronics Konnekt 6.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Konnekt6desk/

zimv20 · Apr 23, 2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisA

It also appears to lack an XML input jack for a mic

<input_jack> 1/4" </input_jack>

i've been looking at XML all day long, too....

michael.lauden · Apr 23, 2009, 06:16 PM

haha... but...

edirol all the way man - you can check out stuff from m audio but edirol has some great interfaces - and don't worry about the USB vs Firewire stuff. you can stream 16 tracks of audio from the edirol interface i use... i don't see ever needing more than that at one time unless you are a hack

Drumjim85 · Apr 23, 2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael.lauden

haha... but...

edirol all the way man - you can check out stuff from m audio but edirol has some great interfaces - and don't worry about the USB vs Firewire stuff. you can stream 16 tracks of audio from the edirol interface i use... i don't see ever needing more than that at one time unless you are a hack

cause all pro's the use more than 16 channels at a time are hacks?

Dr Sound · Apr 24, 2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drumjim85

cause all pro's the use more than 16 channels at a time are hacks?

LOL this needs to be Someones Sig...........

marioman38 · Apr 24, 2009, 11:24 AM

I was in the EXACT same boat as you. I looked at the M-Audio stuff, the Presonus Firebox, and the Ediro FA-66. I landed on the E-Mu 0404 USB. I like the idea of it being USB because apple is dropping FW on their models slowly but surely. Future proof, and gives me a greater choice in laptops during my next purchace, I won't be forced, or limited to only the "Pro". USB is perfectly fine for recording its max of 4 tracks at a time. It IS USB 2.0 watch out for others that are USB 1.1 like the edirol UA-25 if it doesn't specifically say it is 2.0 it's not.

Drumjim85 · Apr 24, 2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marioman38

It IS USB 2.0 watch out for others that are USB 1.1 like the edirol UA-25 if it doesn't specifically say it is 2.0 it's not.

believe it or not, all the USB m-box.s are usb 1.1

Dr Sound · Apr 24, 2009, 03:01 PM

Wrong Post

Benguitar · Apr 24, 2009, 03:22 PM

M-Audio Fast Track

[link]

I used the $99.99 model and it was an "okay" starter interface, now I use an Apogee Duet (SO much better)

But this $199.99 Fast Track will probably serve you pretty well.

Thomas2222 · Jul 7, 2009, 12:16 PM

I would strongly advise against the Apogee Duet.

Google (or search these forums) for "Apogee Duet Noise" or "Apogee Duet Hiss" to read the horror stories.

Mar 3, 2008, 04:43 PM	#1
tast01 macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2008	cheap audio interface suggestions Im looking for a cheap (200 or less) firewire/usb audio interface to record simple guitar and vocal tracks on my MBP. I only require this to record simple guitar/vocal tracks and no more (2 channels max). Any suggestions that work well with garageband?
	0

Mar 3, 2008, 04:48 PM	#2
Drumjim85 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DFW, TX	I've always had good luck with m-audio stuff (and i've always had big issues with presonus) EDIT: Firewire 410 or Firewire Solo The 410 is going to be better, but it might just be out of your price range... But for a $50 difference in MSRP, i'd say its worth it... EDIT2: Sorry, the 410 is $150 more ... i would look into the Solo and see if it fits your needs.. __________________ Creative Commons - because copyright is broken. Last edited by Drumjim85; Mar 3, 2008 at 05:09 PM.
	0

Apr 23, 2009, 06:13 PM	#8
VirtualRain macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC	The nicest one I've seen around $200 is the TC electronics Konnekt 6. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Konnekt6desk/ __________________ tools: Mac Pro for creating, MBA for working, iPad for surfing, iPhone for communicating, Apple TV for entertaining Canon tools: 5D Mark III 24-105L/70-300L/35L/85L for capturing
	0

Apr 24, 2009, 11:24 AM	#13
marioman38 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle.Wa	I was in the EXACT same boat as you. I looked at the M-Audio stuff, the Presonus Firebox, and the Ediro FA-66. I landed on the E-Mu 0404 USB. I like the idea of it being USB because apple is dropping FW on their models slowly but surely. Future proof, and gives me a greater choice in laptops during my next purchace, I won't be forced, or limited to only the "Pro". USB is perfectly fine for recording its max of 4 tracks at a time. It IS USB 2.0 watch out for others that are USB 1.1 like the edirol UA-25 if it doesn't specifically say it is 2.0 it's not. __________________ Mac: 2011 Air 13" i5 1.7 256gb Desktop: XPS 8500 i7 3.4ghz 8GB RAM, 5TB HD iPhone: 5 Slate 16GB (AT&T)
	0

Apr 24, 2009, 03:01 PM	#15
Dr Sound macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Roxborough Park Colorado	Wrong Post __________________ Power Mac g5 www.rockymountainfunding.net http://twitter.com/soundinvestor
	0

Mar 3, 2008, 05:14 PM	#3
tast01 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2008	I assume most audio interfaces are compatible with Garage Band, does M-Audio generally work well garage band?
	0

Apr 23, 2009, 02:05 PM	#5
Nalo macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2009	How about the MXL iBooster. It retails at $39.95 or $34.95 on Zzound. Looks sweet too... http://www.zzounds.com/item--MSEIBOOSTER
	0

Apr 23, 2009, 06:16 PM	#10
michael.lauden macrumors 68020 Join Date: Dec 2008	haha... but... edirol all the way man - you can check out stuff from m audio but edirol has some great interfaces - and don't worry about the USB vs Firewire stuff. you can stream 16 tracks of audio from the edirol interface i use... i don't see ever needing more than that at one time unless you are a hack
	0

Apr 24, 2009, 03:22 PM	#16
Benguitar macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2009	M-Audio Fast Track [link] I used the $99.99 model and it was an "okay" starter interface, now I use an Apogee Duet (SO much better) But this $199.99 Fast Track will probably serve you pretty well. __________________ Late 2011 15" MacBook Pro - 500GB 5400 RPM - 8GB RAM \| iPad 2 - 64GB - WiFi \| iPhone 5 - 16GB - Slate
	0

Jul 7, 2009, 12:16 PM	#17
Thomas2222 Banned Join Date: May 2009	Apogee Duet Defective, Noisy, lots of Hiss when recording I would strongly advise against the Apogee Duet. Google (or search these forums) for "Apogee Duet Noise" or "Apogee Duet Hiss" to read the horror stories.
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Audio interfaces that work with the camera connection kit?	cRuNcHiE	iPad	0	Mar 10, 2011 03:40 PM
MBP 15 i7 noise with firewire audio interface	offwidafairies	MacBook Pro	3	Feb 6, 2011 07:32 PM
Audio Interface Suggestions for Garageband	nickf182	Digital Audio	5	Nov 6, 2010 01:09 AM
Cheap Audio Interface for HS80M's?	slicecom	Digital Audio	8	Oct 21, 2009 01:05 AM
Audio Interface Suggestions!	J Radical	Digital Audio	1	Jun 6, 2007 08:54 PM