good usb/firewire interface

[johannp]

I'm a newbie who wants to start recording mainly piano and bass using an external USB interface to my iBook. The computer in question is a G3/366 MHz with 320 MB RAM and a firewire harddrive. The audio capture interface could be either firewire or USB, but I'm not sure which model I should get.
I've been looking at the Edirol UA-5 and the M-Audio Duo since I think those models have roughly the features I want.
Any recommendations?

also, I want to record in Linux if possible, using jack and possibly ardour/muse, whichever works better. If a particular audio capture interface worked well with Linux it would be very nice.
Otherwise I'll stick to MacOS.

 

[jazzrich9]

lean towards the duo

I've used the duo on several remote projects, and for sketches on my laptop... I have to say its an impressive little box, and even comes in handy in our studio as a solid state pre (well, only once, and only because we were recording two drumsets with crazy close micing requirements) but still... I've been impressed with it, as it is something of a swiss army tool.

The good news is both interfaces have osx support. The bad news is that neither currently have linux drivers. since they're in the same boat on this, I would recommend the duo over the UA-5, sonically, and I also believe you can get a great price on it. If money is no object, check out the new tascam control surface, or something in its class, as you'll quickly discover how not fun using a mouse to perfect your mix is.

If you can, pop into a music store, with your ibook, plug them both in and start listening.

Good luck.

~Rich