USB Audio Interface Suggestions/Reviews - Opinions Needed

[blazer2829]

Hi there.

I'm looking for a USB/Firewire recording interface.

There are so many to choose from and the more I read the more I get confused.

Does anyone have suggestions based on their experiences?


I'm not really familiar with any sequencing software so

Digidesing w/protools would be ok but they seem a little expensive vs the features they carry..are they worth the money? I need a little more than what the m-box mini has.

It needs to have MIDI support.

I have been mainly concentrating on the following models:

Edirol FA-66 6X6 FireWire Audio Interface
Edirol UA-25 USB Bus Powered Stereo Audio Interface
Alesis io|14 Audio/MIDI 24-bit/192kHz FireWire Interface
Lexicon Omega Desktop Recording Studio
M-Audio FireWire 410 Computer Recording Interface
Digidesign Mbox 2 USB Audio/MIDI Pro Tools LE Interface




Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....



Thanks

[bob anderson]

When I built my Pro Tools rig, I was being really price conscious, and went for the least expensive components I could, and have learned to regret it. All my components are M-Audio, but trying to get everyone talking to each other has been a chore. I am quite computer savvy, but the problems seem more rooted in getting all the separate devices using compatible drivers so they play nice with each other.

My suggestion would be the M-box 2 with the software bundle. Since it's all one product, you can be sure it's all going to work together. Yes it's a bit more expensive than purchasing a less expensive interface, a less expensive midi i/o and m-powered ProTools, (if ProTools is where you are going to end up) but in terms of time and energy and frustration spent trying to get it all working, I would always recommend a single package like the M-box.

Hope this helps

Bob Anderson

[tech1]

The best advice I have is to check compatibility with your current computer first, then decide on what features in an interface you must have vs what you can do without, and finally pick which sequencing software you want to use. Feel free to call one of our Sales Engineers at 800-222-4700 to talk more in-depth about it.