Switching to Mac and... mbox2 or maudio firewire?

[DanielPinho]

Whats up guys

I was a PC user for a long time, and I used to record using a Soundblaster Audigy2 ZS + Cubase SX.

Well, but the desktop PC was too big to fit my room anymore. I sold it and bought a Toshiba laptop, and a Soundblaster

Audigy2ZS Notebook (PCMCIA).

I regret for that.

Although the new PC is much faster and has more RAM than the desktop, this soundcard is really sh**, ASIO keeps crashing all

the time and I haven't recorded anything for about a year.

Since I'm not going back to desktop PCs, I decided to give Mac a try. I found a nice macbook with a good processor(core 2

duo) and 2gb ram.

Now I'm struggling to find a good soundcard to work with it. People say that MBox2 won't work on the new mac OSX system, that

it has a certain delay for the feedback (that really sucks when you're a singer). Plus its USB 1.1, and I don't find it to be

very reliable.

I've also found some information about the M-audio firewire 410, which wasn't very stimulating as well (many people

complaining about driver problems, software crashes, compatibility issues, etc).

But I guess I have only these 2 options, since I have a low budget: 300 US$ max.

mbox2 mini has the advantage of coming with Protools LE 7 software, and the lack of reliability of the USB 1.1.

maudio firewire has the advantage of the firewire connection, while not being reliable due to driver issues.

both are 300$.

What would you guys do? I'm really lost here.

Thank you for your attention!
Regards,
Daniel

 

[yoyo]

i have the firewire solo, and have worked with the 410. Both great products. Never had any of the drivers fail on me or anything. Good quality, very stable. Get the firewire.....

 

[SonicAlbert]

I'd go firewire, I find it more reliable.

Here are some other under $300 firewire interfaces to consider:

Echo Audiofire2
Echo Audiofire4
Edirol FA-66
Focusrite Saffire LE
Presonus Firebox

Of those I'd probably go with the Audiofire4.

To avoid driver issues, get an interface that uses the built in drivers of OSX.

 

[dgatwood]

To avoid driver issues, get an interface that uses the built in drivers of OSX.

One exception. MOTU ships their own drivers and they are rock solid. I'd go so far as to say that I've had even less trouble with them than with hardware that uses the built-in AppleFWAudio driver.

That said, I think M-Audio, Digi, and MOTU are the only three manufacturers that do custom drivers, so what I think you really meant to say is that hardware using the built-in drivers is preferable over hardware that uses M-Audio and/or Digi drivers. If so, then I agree.

 

[dgatwood]

mbox2 mini has the advantage of coming with Protools LE 7 software, and the lack of reliability of the USB 1.1.

Regarding the issue of bundled Pro Tools LE, most interfaces these days come with at least a light version of some editing software. For example, MOTU interfaces come with AudioDesk (the little brother of Digital Performer). Of course, I don't think MOTU builds anything in that price range, sadly. The point is that most audio hardware comes with at least reasonably usable software.

 

[SonicAlbert]

Yes, you are right about Digi and MOTU drivers. I guess I'm not following my own advice, because I use MOTU and Digi audio interfaces! The MOTU drivers are very good and reliable.

That said, I've also owned a Presonus FireBox, which worked great with my Mac iBook.