Help please - someone recommend a USB audio interface

[Guest broke]

I got my hands on a new Macbook Pro 13", only to find out that they removed the audio in jack from the latest model. It doesn't even have the combined audio port that the old ones had. I guess they figured most people who were making music were using an external card anyway.

Looking around, the M-Audio Fast Track seems to be a cheap option, plus it comes with Pro Tools. Then I've read good things about Focusrite.

 

So can anyone recommend anything? The most important thing for me is speed/lack of latency. Thanks in advance.

[doppelkorn]

I rate the NI ones. They come in a few different mdels depending on how many I/Os you need.

[DJ Rock Well]

Either one of NI ones like Dopp said, or a Focusrite 2i2 is incredibly good build and sound for about £120 (either would definitely be a bit better than the M Audio)

[motosega]

i'm using one of these:

 

http://www.mixvibes.com/content/products/u-mix44

 

its giving me decent latency (2.9ms) on an old netbook, on your new mac you should get even better results,

 

4 rca ins and 4 rca outs, a mic input and a headphones out.

 

 

cheap as chips too, i paid 100 euros for mine on ebay.(new)

[Deft]

Push the boat out and get an Apogee Duet 2.

[Tbtf]

Im currently using the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and it really suites my needs as far as djing goes. I just need to find an app or some how configure it to have input 1 as left and input 2 as right channel with out using some sort of DAW. Im sure there is some application or in the windows settings but I have not looked to much into it.

[dissonance]

I have: http://www.amazon.com/Avid-9900-65162-12-M-Audio-Fast-Track/dp/B005KPDRKA

 

 

I like it so far....I got this in lieu of dropping some serious coin on the Apogee Duet....which, if I had the loot, I would have purchased for my Macbook.

[Chris]

Is price not even a boundary? If so I am inclined to second the duet 2. If it is, once you go over about £120 they're all quick enough, but I wouldn't go for fast track cards, they're built like shit and have big driver problems. Or so I'm told, ahem.

[motosega]

if were talking "at any cost"

 

i've got the hots for this stuff: http://www.rme-audio.de/en_index.php

 

 

really a soundcard is all about the drivers.

 

rme have top class linux drivers.

 

even if you don't care about linux then look for a card with good linux drivers, if the vendor cares about linux then it means they arent bastards, and won't leave you out in the cold when you upgrade your os.

[Guest broke]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Since I'm not in a hurry, I think I might save up some cash and get the Duet 2. In the meantime I can record on my desktop PC.

[Guest broke]

In the end I decided the first Apogee Duet was the way to go. It looks to be a bit more solid. I just won an auction on eBay for 230 euro, which seems like a reasonable price.

[DJ Rock Well]

Can't go too far wrong for that price. When you get it, just be sure to check everything on the breakout cable is working as it should be.

[d00ban]

Yeah man, that seems like a real steal

[scottie(the)goonie]

Focusrite is now selling a bundle that comes with the interface, a mic, and headphones for little more than the price of the interface. Look it up