Which FW audio interface?

logic_user99 · Post by **logic_user99** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:39 am

I'm torn between two at the moment. Either an M-Audio FW410, or a Mackie Onyx Satallite.

M-Audio - I've had one before, and they're good. Enough ins and outs for my needs. They are, however, far too bloody expensive for what you get!

Mackie - Reviews read well, it's only £115 on DV, and it's a two-peice interface that means I don't have to unplug my entire studio when I go to do a gig! I don't know anyone who uses one, however.

I'm currently using an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB, which is OK, but not really good for live work as there's no separate output for headphones.

creature · Post by **creature** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:16 pm

If you go with the mackie I would double check the vista drivers are available. I was tempted by the interface a while ago, but they had no vista drivers and from some forums I read it sounded like they had no intention of creating them. I dont know if this has changed.

In the end I went with the Alesis IO26 which is great

Steve

Daim · Post by **Daim** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:25 pm

m-audio drivers suck big times.. they usually don't even work at all

siliconarc · Post by **siliconarc** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:35 pm

also the mackie is only 2-in / 2-out.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:35 pm

MOTU Ultralite

siliconarc · Post by **siliconarc** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:49 pm

Tarekith wrote:MOTU Ultralite

the new ultralite mk3 is £449 ($825) here in the UK. a tasty $275 on top of your US price of $550.

e.maynard · Post by **e.maynard** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:14 pm

Echo Audiofire.

ethios4 · Post by **ethios4** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:29 pm

I don't own either, but I've read more bad news about the FW410 on this forum than any other interface by far.

andydes · Post by **andydes** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:47 pm

Presonus Firebox beats the crap out of the 410, and it's only a tad more expensive.

Noticably better sound quality (even to my buggered ears), much more stable, loud headphone amp for live situations, excellent mic pre's for the price, small, simple and built like a brick shit 'ouse.

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flyp ... ct_id/5031

Somewhere in the technical support area of the Presonus site, there's a summary of known hardware compatability issues which would be worth checking out if you're on a PC.

Edit: OK I see you're on a G4 Powerbook, I've run it on one of those with no issues (in fact was a G4 powerbook that crashed on stage using a FW410 for first and last time live).

condra · Post by **condra** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:53 pm

Presonus gets my vote too

logic_user99 · Post by **logic_user99** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:22 pm

Hmm.. the Presonus seems to be getting some positive chat. Has anyone got any experience with the Focusrite Saphire or Saphire LE? They're both about the same price, and are feature-packed!

Geezus · Post by **Geezus** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:25 pm

More love for the presonus firebox over here. I went through no less than 5 different audio interfaces in one year and started kicking myself for not trying the Presonus sooner. Its a fucking dream. Great sound, low latency, built like a tank, great drivers, and totally affordable.

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:29 am

I would totally avoid both the FW410 (the king of lemon drivers, as are most things M-Audio) and the Mackie Onyx (discontinued, or rumours of discontinuation).

You should spend extra and get either an RME FF400 or 800 (lowest latency around, best converters in this price range bar none), or for a little less, a MOTU Ultralite or 828 MkII.

Presonus are OK for the money, but a lot of people have had problems setting up the firebox. The old firepod was a good stable solution. I think they have improved the drivers recently which helped.

Echo make excellent products too and they have a good history of supporting their products, even some discontinued ones still have new drivers and the IO/DJ was an awesome laptop card for PCMCIA.

jonathanm · Post by **jonathanm** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:06 am

I've got a 410. It's ok, but nothing special. A friend of mine has a saffire le and I prefer it. The saffire was a pain to install if i remember, don't know if that's fixed thesedays. I have no issues with drivers on the 410, guess I've been lucky. I'm still thinking of replacing it for something I have more confidence in.

One thing that freaks me out for live use is the inability to hot plug....anyone know a FW device you can hot plug?

Jonathan

sytnh · Post by **sytnh** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 2:07 am

I love Presonus Firebox too.

I've never had any problems installing it in windows or mac.

If you will use it for recording: it has Class A preamps. I've read (not experienced myself) about a a bug in macintosh that affects mic input 2 (some noise or something) though, but overall its really nice and portable. I think it beats M-AUDIO, haven't tried Mackie.

Which FW audio interface?

Which audio interface?

Which FW audio interface?