I need help choosing a FireWire audio interface for Macintosh

[Swamp Rat]

I need a FireWire interface for Macintosh (GarageBand) for recording classical/jazz guitar and voice. Anybody have suggestions or experience with these boxes? I've narrowed it down to three (unless there are other suggestions):

Edirol FA-66:
http://www.roland.com/products/en/FA-66/index.html
http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM05/Content/Edirol/PR/FA-66.html

Focusrite Saffire:
http://www.focusrite.com/productdetails.asp?id=38&iRange=5
http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM05/Content/Focusrite/PR/Saffire.html

PreSonus FireBox:
http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html
http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM05/Content/PreSonus/PR/Firebox-Shipping.html

[XNASA]

1. Alesis makes a firewire mixer for PC interface.

I doubt it sounds as good as a Focusrite, but it's less than $200.

[Swamp Rat]

2. The Alesis 1394 Fireport is the only product I found below $300.00,

but it's only a port - no mixing capabilities, phantom power, hi-z to lo-z, XLR, etc.

The only thing that I found that comes close to what I need is the MultiMix 8 FireWire, but it's over $400.00, a bit too much for my needs:

http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=40
http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp/2005/MultiMix-Mixers-Shipping.html

[XNASA]

3. I meant one of these.

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?SKU=AMULT8FWX

I've seen them, or similar Alesis mixers for under $200.

[leftofthedial]

4. I totally love my MOTU 828

works as a stand-alone mixer too

[emulatorloo]

6. Most people who have em love em -- always gets great reviews. . .

EOM

[emulatorloo]

5. M-Audio Firewire 410 probably worth checking out too

$299, 249 refurb

I have not used it, but have a M-Audio PCI interface, and they are good about keeping mac users up to date.

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http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/s=specials/search/detail/base_pid/701385/

Could be nice cuz you can add ProToolsLE to it later if you want:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/ProToolsMPowered7-main.html

I have a PCI M-Audio interface that I have been really happy with. Mac support with drivers has been real timely

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[Swamp Rat]

7. thanks for the PM

and the links. :hi:

[emulatorloo]

8. you are very welcome --- let us know what you decide

most of the vendors offer 30 money back, so it is hard to go wrong.

[LifeDuringWartime]

9. check out these sites

http://www.macmusic.org/agora/forums/?act=SF&f=5&lang=EN&

http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=9


both links are to the forums relevant to your question


for what it's worth, i've heard good things about the presonus and bad things about the focusrite