Looking for a good audio interface on a budget...

[bell222]

Hey everyone. I woke up this morning only to find my Firebox had died. Everything has been checked including using only power from the FW connection to changing the power block. Nothing and it also gets extremely hot around the power coil with a burning smell. Not good. Anyway, I mainly use my interface for voice overs and MIDI from my Yamaha P85. I don't think I'd have any issue with a USB interface right? I'm usually doing one channel only or just MIDI. I have the newest Macbook Pro i5 as well so I don't think bus speed or bottlenecking would take place. What do you think? Any advice? I have about $100 to spend and need something that will work flawless with DP 7.

[David Polich]

I think Cakewalk makes a USB audio interface under $100. There might
be a couple of other "mini" interfaces in that price range. That said,
you simply won't get excellent audio quality from an interface that cheap.
It will be "passable".

$200-$350 is more like it...several good interfaces in that price range.
Next step up is in the $500-$700 range, then the $1200-$1400 range.

[mhschmieder]

Yep, Dave is right, regarding the relative price ranges and what they afford you in terms of features and quality.

If you need to stick with the below-$100 range, it's a little trickier when you need both audio and MIDI, but these days, most interfaces probably provide both.

MOTU has always delivered great bang-for-buck, and good build quality plus great drivers (on the Mac at least) and excellent stability. Many of us have moved on to higher-end interfaces, but that does not devalue what MOTU offers in any way. They have some more recent offerings that might be in your price range. I'll let you do the footwork though, at motu.com.

[nick danger]

How about a MOTU Fastlane for MIDI, and almost any inexpensive USB interface if it's only for voiceover work?

[bayswater]

There are loads of interfaces for 99 - 129 from Alesis, Tascam, M-Audio etc. and they'll all work if they have a core audio driver. Just look at Sweetwater for USB audio and sort by price. But the question is whether they will be significantly better than the converters that come with the Mac?

[nick danger]

But the question is whether they will be significantly better than the converters that come with the Mac?

That was my first thought, as well. Maybe just a decent mic that can be input into the 1/8" input on the computer?

[bayswater]

But the question is whether they will be significantly better than the converters that come with the Mac?

That was my first thought, as well. Maybe just a decent mic that can be input into the 1/8" input on the computer?

But through a pre first. Then, how much more to get a pre with an acceptable converter?

[mhschmieder]

If you've bought and registered MOTU products in the past, be sure to login to your account and see if it lists any upgrades that you are eligible for.

It is my impression that MOTU links upgrade eligibility to original owners, so you might be surprised what you're eligible for.