Best under $200 sound card?

[audionaut]

Hi folks,

I've been noodling around with Live 8 since October.

I bought a M Audio firewire solo thinking it would be an ok sound card, but I can't get it to work.

I am only thinking of DJing and maybe attaching a mic to get some "sound objects" (field recordings even), organic random stuff, etc.

Is there a proven way to get the M Audio FW solo working or should I get a M Audio fast track pro perhaps?

Any advice is welcome. I am coming out of the VJing/ projection world and know little about sound cards/audio interfaces

Cheers

(Using a 2008 MacBook Pro, running the latest version of OSX)

[simpli.cissimus]

PreSonus Firebox !!!

[LeifonMars]

PreSonus Firebox !!!

They go under 200 bucks nowadays? Oh my. Bought one back in 2005, very crisp nice preamp, never failed me once, so +1.

[lapieuvre]

The Presonus Audiobox is under 200$

[Donnie]

Focusrite Saffire 6 has done me right for awhile now as something cheap to gig with, they also have the Scarlet 8i6 out now for 250 which is basically an upgraded Saffire 6.

[FrankieP]

I agree with the Firebox. Still rockin one and has never gave me any problems on my MBP.

[Moody]

MOTU 828 and later upgrade to BLA mod.

[parma]

I use this guy:

http://www.tcelectronic.com/desktopkonnekt6.asp
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Konnekt6desk/

Great little unit. Runs solid on my mac pro with OS 10.6.7

[commuter]

as you're on mac,if you don't need midi, spdif, and if two ins/out are enough :
the mackie blackjack is perfect
Excellent converters, excellents preamps..
Rock solid stability core audio compatibility on mac..
limitations : no 96khz (44,1/48 khz)
USB1.1 (but it's not a limitation at all for 2ins/out)

you can find it for 149 euros/dollars..

http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxblackjack/

[LeifonMars]

USB1.1 (but it's not a limitation at all for 2ins/out)

And the latency is measured in seconds?

[commuter]

And the latency is measured in seconds?

why saying that ??

I get 4,4 ms out latency @44,1khz and 128 buffer......it's as good as an RME babyface.....

[LeifonMars]

And the latency is measured in seconds?

why saying that ??

Because USB1.1 isn't known as the fastest port ever build. For dj'ing I'm sure it's good enough. But for routing signal in and out of DAW in real time, but that's not what the OP was asking about so...

[commuter]

Because USB1.1 isn't known as the fastest port ever build.

i know that....
for 2 ins and out @44,1khz it's more than adequate and you can get really good latency....i can go down as low as 64 buffer with no problems (3,72ms IN and 2,97 ms out..)..so i think you just reapeat what you read on forums (urban legend..) and don't have any real world experience with a 2 ins/2 outs USB interface....
i know it's not what the OP asked...but i think your remark was a bit condescending...Suggesting i don't know what i'm talking about....
case closed...

[LeifonMars]

Because USB1.1 isn't known as the fastest port ever build.

i know that....
for 2 ins and out @44,1khz it's more than adequate and you can get really good latency....i can go down as low as 64 buffer with no problems (3,72ms IN and 2,97 ms out..)..so i think you just reapeat what you read on forums (urban legend..) and don't have any real world experience with a 2 ins/2 outs USB interface....
i know it's not what the OP asked...but i think your remark was a bit condescending...Suggesting i don't know what i'm talking about....
case closed...

You're right, I don't have any real world experience about USB interfaces, and I didn't mean to come out as offensive as you experienced it, I wasn't suggesting anything, more like asking and trying to be funny at the same time. My apologies.

[commuter]

You're right, I don't have any real world experience about USB interfaces, and I didn't mean to come out as offensive as you experienced it, I wasn't suggesting anything, more like asking and trying to be funny at the same time. My apologies.

ok, apologies accepted...