Dropshipping Audio Interface For Mac

I've used just about everything out there including Pro Tools HD and have always used a Mac Pro. Currently I'm using Logic and love it. I recently bought and moved into a new place and have completely revamped my setup. Simplified it actually. Since I'm laying drum tracks down and not anything too drastic I chose to go with and interface similar to what you are describing.

Audio Interface For Garageband

My drums are done through Battery 3, keyboards through various NI and IK plugins, vocals, bass and guitar all through a Firewire TC Electronics Konnect 6. Which is currently on sale everywhere.

I'll post some picture of my setup later when I'm not on my works firewall. Also check out Focusrite. I've used the Saffire and thought it was great. This forum has it right. I've used the Apogee and Presonus before and they sound great. Their preamp can't be beat.

I went with the TC Electronics due to the fact that for the money it can't be beat. Also, it's on-board reverb is killer. I second the motion to be careful with M-Audio products. I used a Firewire 410 for while and had nothing but issues. While there USB controllers are solid I'd stay away from their interfaces.

I use a MOTU (Mark of the Unicorn) Ultralite for my main interface - has 2 Hi-Z / XLR inputs with their own preamps, and several more line-level in the rear plus spdif in/out. It's preamp is fine though I use the FMR RNP 2-channel preamp because I read a fantastic review. For MIDI & controller I use the M-Audio Axiom Pro 49. I used to use an M-Audio Ozone as my main input.

Had nothing but problems with it. Picked up the MOTU and haven't looked back.

I have a hard drive dedicated for music production and I'm always sure to go into Energy Saver and turn OFF the 'Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible' to avoid problems. I guess it would be questionable whether i really 'need' a mac pro. But I have never really done much with macs and am curious to give their legendary stability a test and i figured if i was gonna give it a go I might as well do it right. I am used to dealing with hardware/software communication stability issues on my home built pc and want to have one round with a mac experience.

I also do design work (adobe suite and architectural design) so it would get used for more than just music. Id ideally like to use an internal card just because it seems like it would be better than external but i am open to suggestions from people who have had good experiences, which of course is what this post was for.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I am going for stability, so my thinking is go with a mac pro along with the most appropriate fitting software and hardware.

I wasnt sure if there was a common hardware brand that worked seamlessly and smoothly with macs. And it seems that Logic would be the easiest and most hassle free experience. I guess it would be questionable whether i really 'need' a mac pro. But I have never really done much with macs and am curious to give their legendary stability a test and i figured if i was gonna give it a go I might as well do it right. I am used to dealing with hardware/software communication stability issues on my home built pc and want to have one round with a mac experience.

I also do design work (adobe suite and architectural design) so it would get used for more than just music. Id ideally like to use an internal card just because it seems like it would be better than external but i am open to suggestions from people who have had good experiences, which of course is what this post was for. Thanks for all the suggestions! I am going for stability, so my thinking is go with a mac pro along with the most appropriate fitting software and hardware.

I wasnt sure if there was a common hardware brand that worked seamlessly and smoothly with macs. And it seems that Logic would be the easiest and most hassle free experience. +1 on Focusrite and Apogee; they're good stuff. If you're looking for the best-of-breed, however, and are willing to pay for it, check out the Metric Halo ULN-2, which is used by many pro-level engineers. Only two channels, but they're outstanding channels with high-gain, low-noise mic pres, and A-D conversion that's up there with the best of them. It also has outstanding DSP-based effects and mixing/recording capabilities in its control software, which is very robust.

And contrary to an earlier post, Metric Halo also has very tight integration with Logic. I know this is really getting away from being mac related but what are thoughts on these two interfaces looking at the two brands that people are suggesting most- apogee and focusrite, i tried to find each of their cheapest options for what i am looking for the apogee duet does seem great for meshing with logic with two inputs @500$ and the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 is around 300$ and says it has 8 in 6 out (they had one model lower with 2 in & 4 out, but for that price.on amazon for 220 even) it seems like a no brainer to go with Focusrite, which makes me think im missing something. Anyone with experience on that model? I use a Liquid Saffire 56. It uses the same conversion chips (CS4272 off the top of my head.

I could be wrong but I believe they're listed on GearSlutz) as the Apogee Ensemble and Duet. This is not 100% of the AD/DA conversion story but the 56 has a great word clock which improves conversion quality over products with an inferior clock. Profire 2626 for example will improve in conversion quality when clocked to the Saffire 56. I'll recommend the 56 on it's IO alone. Once you're into outboard gear, you'll appreciate the IO at mix time for adding analogue compression and other outboard FX. Focusrite Pre's are also quite good for interface pre's. The addition of the liquid pre's is nice as well.

They're not picture perfect reproductions of the classics they emulate, but they add some nice flavour to your recordings. This is a VERY under appreciated interface.