External Sound Card for Mac Pro?

Greg Bellotte · October 2nd, 2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Schweer

A. J., that MOTU Traveller looks like a solution, but for me it might be like buying a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store. I guess I'm looking to something like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

but that can be used with an Intel Mac. Do you think a device of this general quality would suffice? Or something between the MOTU and this?

But that device DOES work with a mac, despite the lack of mac support listed. As do most USB audio devices that conform to the generic audio spec.

Jim Schweer · October 2nd, 2006, 07:00 PM

That's good news, Greg. So would a device that works with a pre-Intel Mac automatically also work with a new Intel Mac? My Microcenter had an M-audio device similar to the one I linked, like this:

http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=219349

in a USB enclosure. But the sales person informed me that it wouldn't work with the newer dual-core Macs.

Patomakarn Nitanontawat · October 2nd, 2006, 10:06 PM

Or if you can afford it, the RME Fireface 400 is a very good one too. Nice mic pres.

Steve House · October 3rd, 2006, 04:54 AM

Mentioning again, the new Echo Audiofire 4 is worth a look at ~$275 or so. 4 analog inputs - 2 XLR universal mic/line/instrument with phantom and 2 1/4 line level. 4 1/4 analog outs. Excellent specs.

A. J. deLange · October 3rd, 2006, 05:39 AM

Jim,

The scary thing about the Creative is the driver. The Spec sheet says Windows. You need a box that works with the Apple CORE drivers (shipped with the Mac) or comes with a driver compatible with Os X. I'd check into that before I plunked my money down. OTOH it's only $50.

Anything that worked with an pre-Intel Mac SHOULD work with an Intel Mac but there are always some bugs with a major change in architecture.

Greg Bellotte · October 3rd, 2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Schweer

That's good news, Greg. So would a device that works with a pre-Intel Mac automatically also work with a new Intel Mac? My Microcenter had an M-audio device similar to the one I linked, like this:

http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=219349

in a USB enclosure. But the sales person informed me that it wouldn't work with the newer dual-core Macs.

Well upon further review, I don't have the exact box you first linked. I have this one... (sorry, this picture was similar...)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

but it's even less expensive at $39.99. It does work with both my dual G5 power mac, and my 15" MBP. Just goes to show even the manufacturers don't know everything. Or maybe they know, but don't want to support OSX for some reason. I think anything that works on a PPC should work on Intel, but then again that's where this thread started...

I don't have a MacPro yet, so can't say if it works on that hardware...

October 3rd, 2006, 04:54 AM	#19
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Mentioning again, the new Echo Audiofire 4 is worth a look at ~$275 or so. 4 analog inputs - 2 XLR universal mic/line/instrument with phantom and 2 1/4 line level. 4 1/4 analog outs. Excellent specs. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

October 2nd, 2006, 07:00 PM	#17
Jim Schweer Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 60	That's good news, Greg. So would a device that works with a pre-Intel Mac automatically also work with a new Intel Mac? My Microcenter had an M-audio device similar to the one I linked, like this: http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=219349 in a USB enclosure. But the sales person informed me that it wouldn't work with the newer dual-core Macs.

October 2nd, 2006, 10:06 PM	#18
Patomakarn Nitanontawat Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 97	Or if you can afford it, the RME Fireface 400 is a very good one too. Nice mic pres.

October 3rd, 2006, 05:39 AM	#20
A. J. deLange Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: McLean, VA United States Posts: 749	Jim, The scary thing about the Creative is the driver. The Spec sheet says Windows. You need a box that works with the Apple CORE drivers (shipped with the Mac) or comes with a driver compatible with Os X. I'd check into that before I plunked my money down. OTOH it's only $50. Anything that worked with an pre-Intel Mac SHOULD work with an Intel Mac but there are always some bugs with a major change in architecture.