best audio interface for garageband '11?

[mandotodd]

Who has an audio interface (like the presonus firepod et al) that works just great with garageband '11? Are they all about the same?
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[dance2noise002]

I have a Fast Track Pro, works well with Garageband.

 

[alq]

For serious quality I'd recommend the Apogee Duet2 (USB interface) or the "old" Duet (Firewire interface).
They also have an Instrument-IN which let's you directly record a guitar or so.

alq.

 

[mandotodd]

Thanks for the advice.
I was thinking of an 8-input unit.
Thinking ...

 

[Fishrrman]

"I was thinking of an 8-input unit."

Before you spend the extra money for one, will you _really_ need all 8 inputs? Or, can you get by with 4, or just 2?

For an 8-input (XLR), you might check the Echo "Audiofire 8Pre". I have the Audiofire8 (only 2 XLR's, but also has line inputs, etc.) and it's been a solid performer.

Also check Steinberg's "MR-816". This one also integrates seamlessly with Cubase (which I consider to be far better than Logic on the Mac).

 

[sehnsucht77]

apogee ensemble

 

[MacVibe]

Who has an audio interface (like the presonus firepod et al) that works just great with garageband '11? Are they all about the same?
Any advice would be appreciated.

If price matters, lets not worry about the best. Pretty much any interface is much, much better than the tape versions in the earlier generation. So, they are not all about the same but they are all really nice. "Really nice" in this case means the quality of your mics, cables, pickups, etc. may be the place you want to spend more money to increase fidelity.

If you want 8 channels on a budget, I recommend going with a firewire or USB 8-12 channel mixer. The mixer part is nice for its own reasons (live, live practice, eq, etc) but the mixer variety is also cheaper than the dedicated audio interfaces for 8+ channels, in my experience. So, google, or check ebay, for Mackie, Behringer, Alesis (and other) firewire/usb mixers and you can get something for a couple hundred bucks (used). It is easy to gobble up channels with synths/drum machines, multiple mics etc., so having more is a good idea even if you only plan on using one or two initially.

 

[alq]

If price matters, lets not worry about the best. Pretty much any interface is much, much better than the tape versions in the earlier generation. So, they are not all about the same but they are all really nice. "Really nice" in this case means the quality of your mics, cables, pickups, etc. may be the place you want to spend more money to increase fidelity.

If you want 8 channels on a budget, I recommend going with a firewire or USB 8-12 channel mixer. The mixer part is nice for its own reasons (live, live practice, eq, etc) but the mixer variety is also cheaper than the dedicated audio interfaces for 8+ channels, in my experience. So, google, or check ebay, for Mackie, Behringer, Alesis (and other) firewire/usb mixers and you can get something for a couple hundred bucks (used). It is easy to gobble up channels with synths/drum machines, multiple mics etc., so having more is a good idea even if you only plan on using one or two initially.

+1 and you are going to be 100% flexible with any outboard equipment (synths, etc. as already mentioned)

alq.

 

[mandotodd]

Thanks for weighing in, folks. I should maybe tell you that I'm planning to record my entire band in a 'live, off the floor' situation. I have used Garageband for years, so I thought I'd go with that ... but with a bunch more inputs. I'm not above using a different recording program if it's easy and straightforward to use.

And cost isn't really an issue - I'll likely rent for a month.

If this changes any of your answers, I'd like to know!

 

[RonsMac]

Mackie has a 12 channel mixer with USB for $300. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ProFX12/
I use the older 6 channel and they work well.

 

[Medic37]

My dad bought a mackie 12 USB about 4 months ago when I hooked it up garage band didn't recognize it?..... Any suggestions?