Recommendations for audio interface for a Macbook Pro

cappy2112

I've recently bough a MBP and have most of my music software & vsts loaded. Unfortunately, the Mac doesn't have any external audio inputs and only headphone outs.

I guess that means getting audio into and out of the Mac means it must be digitized first.

Are the headphone levels the same as line out levels?

What do you guys use? I"m not going to be producing and cd's so hobbyist-level gear is ok. 2 quarter-inch ins & 2 outs would be the minimum I need.

I'd rather avoid a rackmount box, and prefer something that can be portable.

Thanks

blue hell

cappy2112

blue hell · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject:

External mic input I meant (Built-in input).. go to Applications / Utilities / Audio MIDI Setup.app to configure stuff .. also install Soundflower for some extra flexibility.

-minus- · Joined: Oct 26, 2008 Posts: 787 Audio files: 13

Not sure if this helps....I just asked my son about this. He has a current macbook pro. His recommendation is a Presonus Firebox, which is what he uses and is pretty happy with.

cappy2112 · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 1:19 am Post subject:

v-un-v · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:12 am Post subject:

Don't bother using Audacity. I know it's free, but it's also crap (IMHO). Amadeus Pro is a far superior wave editor. AP is also Mac only, so being built on Cocoa, takes full advantage of all of Apple's api's and technology.

As for interfaces, I've got an iMic, but then pretty much every interface works well with Macintosh. Smile

http://www.hairersoft.com/AmadeusPro/AmadeusPro.html

cappy2112 · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:48 am Post subject:

cappy2112 · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:49 am Post subject:

BobTheDog · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:29 am Post subject:

I have been finding AudioFinder very good as well: http://www.icedaudio.com/

v-un-v · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:56 am Post subject:

Yes, nice one Andy. I forgot all about Audiofinder. Very good software.

EdisonRex · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:13 am Post subject:

I have a MOTU Ultralite Mk3 for my MBP. I got my kid a Microbook for his.

One's firewire, one's USB. Both seem to work fine.

BobTheDog · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:28 am Post subject:

The Apogee Duet is meant to be top notch.

v-un-v · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:47 am Post subject:

I used to have a MOTU 828 which was great (but it's old school Firewire though). They still work I believe with new Macs (?), but I can't vouch for that because I sold it a few years back (2003!)