Audio Interfaces for Intel Macs

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Ultra Magnus
Member Since: Nov 13, 2004

I want four mic pres, four extra line-ins and four outs and it has to work with intel macs. I bought a Tascam FW1804 but it's not working even with the intel drivers and Tascam just aren't getting back to me to help out so if it's not sorted by the end of the week i'm taking it back and getting something else.

So i need some suggestions pls ..anyone?

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 12, 2006 09:56 pm

Ya know, I honestly hadnt even researched what was going to happen when they started with the Intell chip. Have you googled yet Rigsby? I may give it a shot in a while if I get some time.

OK, I jumped right on it. www.google.com/search?hl=...27s&spell=1

It would appear the MOTU is the only one really prepared for this in any secure fashion. www.motu.com/

I have installed lots of their gear, not much on the firewire side, but I have had very good luck with their stuff.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004

Apr 13, 2006 03:41 am

I can't find anything by MOTU in my price range (around £450)that has four pres or more. M-Audio is the same. Presonus sent me this..

"Our hardware support is integrated into Apple's Core Audio driver package. Therefore, even on the new Intel-based Macs, the hardware is recognized & accessible.

However, because of software changes in OSX, our software bundle is no longer compatible. Our developers are working on the new software package. It will be available for download as soon as they complete it. There is no ETA at this time.

This is what it means in regards to the FirePod:

Access to the stereo digital S/PDIF input is not accessible, because the clock source is controlled by the FirePod Control Panel.


You'll have to contact Steinberg about when they plan to release an Intel Mac-compatible version of Cubase LE."

Cubase LE is working on my mac mini intel so i'm just waiting to find out if the Firepod will be accessible through LE and if so i'll go for that.

Tascam's 'tech support' are still being totally useless btw. Not a dicky-bird from them in two weeks.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 13, 2006 11:36 pm

I had a look to see if ESI was doing anything yet as well. But I am afraid their higher end gear with that many pres is gonna be the same thing, out of the price range. I wouldnt count on M-Audio to come up with anything stable at this point either. Their driver support has gone swiftly downhill.

I think anything with 4 or more pre's is gonna be at least that expensive. Even in a PCI or USB based card. I know the new USB interfaces from MOTU are steady as a rock and ultra fast.

Are you looking strictly at Firewire or do you have options open with that machine? USB 2.0 or anything?

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004

Apr 14, 2006 02:07 am

Yeah, it has USB2.0, four ports of that (only one in use for my controller keyboard, the mouse and keyboard are wireless so i can mix from the couch).

I think i'm going with the Presonus Firepod, their tech support have gotten back to me within ten hours both times i've mailed them which is a good sign. Until they have intel drivers the Firepod will be fine except no access to the S/PDIF, which i can live without for the time being. It's a pound under my budget.

I can't believe how useless Tascam's support have been, i'll never buy from them again because of this.

Looks like i'll be rolling again very soon. Woo-hoo!

Cheers for taking a look around for me Noize.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 14, 2006 10:43 pm

Anytime Rigsby, you know that is what we are here for. Besides, it keeps me up to date being able to look around at all the gear. And searching to see who has the most current drivers and the like.

As for Tascam, indeed they are another that have gone steadily down hill. I was looking at there newer control consoles like the 2400 or the 1884. But after hearing from a few others on their support as well I cant see spending that kind of money on theri gear. But they are pretty well below some of my other alternatives. She JL Cooper unit I was looking at is 5 time the price. And all I need is the control, no audio or midi interface required as I am allready set in that realm.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004

Apr 15, 2006 02:42 am

Yeah, i never had to deal with Tascam's support before, i bought one of their DAT machines 9 years ago and it's always been fine. I don't use it anymore but it still works. Because of this i always thought they were a fine company, but this has totally shattered that opinion.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 15, 2006 03:10 pm

Oh ya, they were a great company. I used a couple of their DATs and several differant models of their multi track tape machines over the years and had no trouble. I think it has just been in the last couple of years that they are slowly going down in performance and support.

But that could come back so I wont totally diss them. many good companies have slacked lately, M-Audio for one.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004

Apr 16, 2006 02:07 am

Actually i heard that about M-Audio, and Fostex too. I've had fostex and tascam 4-tracks and eight-tracks and apart from wear and tear i've never had problems. This is literally the first time i've had to contact anyone's tech support so i'm totally down on them for letting me down.

Hey ho.

Now i have to find time to make the hike over to the shop to return the 1804. They UPS'd it here, maybe they'll pick it up ..not holding my breath though.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 16, 2006 01:20 pm

Well, I would say to let them know exactly what you have gone through trying to get results and maybe that will force their hand to cater a bit to you. Maybe not, but its worth a shot anyway.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004

Apr 17, 2006 02:41 am

Yeah, totally, it's worth a try.

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004

Apr 19, 2006 02:31 am

Sorry to bump a dying thread, but more news:

I spoke to digital village yesterday about returning the 1804 and the guy called tascam support for me and got back to me within minutes to say that the intel drivers on the .com site were crap and wouldn't work (i knew that obviously) and that they'd have proper drivers up in the next week to ten days. I've been reassured that if i hang on and the drivers don't go up or don't work i can still return the 1804 even though it might be outside of the 30 day period. So i'm going to hang on. I don't really need to use the 1804 for the next week or so as i'm mixing and it does seem like a decent interface.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Apr 19, 2006 03:36 pm

I gotta agree, it is a nicely laid out unit if they can get the drivers to work for you. I guess if he swears a blood oath, maybe you can trust him. :-)

Ultra Magnus
Member
Since: Nov 13, 2004

Apr 20, 2006 03:32 am

heh.. I'll keep you posted.

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