Help with MacBook based set up

[markwasley]

Hi there

My existing (10 year old!) set up consists of Cubase (PC), a Yamaha SW1000XG PCI interface, and a Behringer mixer. The mixer is linked directly to the Yamaha card. It all works but it's really showing it's age.

I'm taking the plunge and buying a new MacBook Pro 15". I'm leaning towards Logic 9 as the DAW, it looks perfect for me.

My question for you guys is, would you recommend I get a separate Audio Interface? Or would the mixer plugged directly into the MacBook suffice? I'm thinking about monitoring etc. here. The desk would handle the Mic preamps etc.

I love being able to record vocals dry into my current set up, but have a little bit of reverb in the headphones to give me/vocalist a bit of extra confidence. Would that be possible using an Interface with a budget of around £300? I like the look of the M Audio fast track devices on the Apple website, does anybody have any experience of these with Logic 9 under Mountain Lion?

Thanks in advance people - any suggestions you have regarding the above set up gratefully received!

[TimOBrien]

You ALWAYS need something better than an onboard soundcard.
Doesn't matter what brand of computer.
Onboard sound is for beeps, boops and light gaming.

[Andrew_Malloy]

I'm with Tim on this one. You are not doing yourself favors with the Behringer mixer and the internal input will work, but not great either. Adding a cheap interface isn't going to make things better when you take into account the added gain stages.

Get a good audio interface like the Audiobox VSL series. That is going to give you some DSP for effects and mixing, but good quality electronics.