USB Mixer for ipad/Macbook Air?

[vsilly]

Hello folks, I have been out of the loop for a few years and am not familiar with the latest gear. I am interested in a very low end recording setup to use with iPad and a Mac book air. Very interested in Auria the new DAW for iPad. However for what I want to do even GarageBand may be enough.

Wondering what is the best low end mixing board that would interface well with analog and digital, i.e. I could use it to hook up a PA system and also use it to route tracks to a DAW application.

Back in the day everyone would recommend Mackie mixers as having decent mic pre's and being a good low-end basic solution. Is that still the case?

I want to be able to record possibly two or three live tracks at a time. If anyone is familiar with the best shoestring budget solution I would be interested in your expertise. Thanks very much!

[mikehalloran]

So, you are looking for a usb interface that also works with the iPad. Is that correct?

To connect with the iPad, you will need the Apple Camera kit to convert usb/iPad unless someone is making a dedicated mixer that doesn't require it. I would troll user boards and see what other people are using and how. If all you want to do is record and route tracks, that's easy. If what you are looking for is ease of monitoring your recorded tracks, that's might take some looking and reading a few manuals.

Lots of units will work with your MacBook. Pretty much anything that works with the iPad to your satisfaction will do the job.

Now, if you want ultimate control and have a grand to spend, the new DL 1608 is just your ticket. I'm betting it's overkill but, just in case:
http://www.mackie.com/products/dl1608/features/

[vsilly]

Hello, thanks for the reply, yes that would definitely be overkill.
I guess my purpose in asking the question would be to find out if anything else competes with Mackie in terms of quality of the Mic pre's for a budget level mixer?
Last time I was involved with recording a few years back the Mackie was what everyone recommended for a low-end mixer. If that's still the case I would just go and look at their latest models that include USB connectivity. Thanks again

[mikehalloran]

The MOTU mic pre's are no slouch. I have a few others including Mackie and some dedicated boutique pre's. What I use depends on the project.

The issue is going to be how compatible, how do you deal with latency when overdubbing etc.

I would look for some user support boards for the Auria DAW - there must be one or two by now. Other users are dealing with these - see what they are using and how. No reason to go in blind or think, 'this should work'. Wanna see my equipment from the 1990s that never got used - even once? I didn't think so

It could be that an 8pre or Traveller is what you really need and use built-in CueMix. Maybe the Mackie 402 or 803 does the trick - it should with your Macbook if I understand your needs (my daughter is using a 402 with Logic/GB on her iMac - but I don't know how).