Computer Audio Interfaces

Gorilla King

Well-known member
I'm looking for a simple Computer Audio Interface with a good price to quality ratio. I was considering the Sound Devices USBpre since I know they're a great company, but then again, 500 is a good chunk of change. Is to worth it to splurge on the USBpre or are there alternatives that would be a better value?
 
Whats the purpose of the interface? Is it to use in the field or just to get sound into your computer? If your looking for somthing to use in the field then this is a fine piece of gear. If your looking for something to get sound into the computer then the firewire 16 channel alises board would work and you get many channels to use. More bang for the buck and I believe a little cheaper to boot.
 
Personally I would pick whatever software I wanted to use first, then select hardware that has been shown to work well with it.
 
Well I'll be using Logic Express for the software and this isn't really for the field. I basically just need something to hook up to my Macbook Pro and record two or three simultaneous channels. It's for animation voice work.
 
THE FIREPOD PEOPLE! It's a really nice interface and the preamps are very clean. It also comes with Cubase LE.
 
how bout the motu ultralite, small, dual xlr preamps, 6 more 1/4" firewire buss powered, 24 bit 96khz a/d only like $549...
 
As a great value, find a used or new ORIGINAL Digidesign Mbox. Very nice preamps,better sound IMHO than the new Mbox 2s, comes with ProTools. On eBay for $200-300.

MOTU interfaces are very solid and reputable, with good sound, but I can't say I love the bundled software (Audiodesk)... but if you have a copy of something else (other than ProTools), MOTU'll work with it.


There's a lot out there now!

The Firepod's OK, but... chill, dude! Jesus was a carpenter, not a circuit designer. ;-)
 
I've heard very good things about the firebox. And I did look up the original Mbox on eBay. Any other opinions on this?
 
What about the Sound Devices USBpre? Super portable, runs off USB power, 2 channels and has the SD preamps. Not the cheapest solution but a good one.
 
Firepod is fairly portable. The only pain is that you have to haul the AC power supply around with you, however when you consider that you're getting 8 great sounding preamps in the unit, it's worth it.

I would recommend against the mBox. They're overpriced, and as far as I'm concerned, the preamps sound terrible. Try to avoid anything that's USB based, go with firewire, I've never been happy with the sound from usb devices like the Mbox.
 
Well, what do the pros use? I always see the audio tech carrying some sort of special camel bag with some type of mixer. I can't tell if the signal is sent somewhere else for recording or if everything is recorded in that same little device. I also can't tell if it's self powered or what. Anyone know?
 
P.S.T. said:
Well, what do the pros use? I always see the audio tech carrying some sort of special camel bag with some type of mixer. I can't tell if the signal is sent somewhere else for recording or if everything is recorded in that same little device. I also can't tell if it's self powered or what. Anyone know?

Are you talking about a bag mixer? That is a totally different topic then a computer interface box.
 
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