Who’s Interface Will Keep Me Happy?, compatible, reliable, interface Options

[soundpie]

I have been saving for some time now for a new home recording studio. In a couple of months I will be financially ready, so my research intensifies. I have pretty much decided on a Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5 using Logic Pro 7. For awhile I thought I was going with an M-Audio 410 to interface my midi keyboard, microphones and guitars, but now I am not sure this is the wisest choice. I will only be recording two, maybe three, instruments simultaneously, but 95% of the time it will be one instrument or vocal at a time while I add a track to existing ones. What interface might work the best for me?

I want to purchase a unit that will be dependable, compatible and keep me happy through system upgrades. I have read that some users have been disappointed with M-Audio’s driver support, and I am now looking at the MOTU 828MKII. But do I really need all of its features, and is there a better alternative to spending so much money on a device that offers more than I need? In any case, I would gladly invest more money in an interface with continued reliable performance, compatibility and support, than save a little money now on a unit that brings potential disappointment. I would like to “do it right the first time”, if you know what I mean. I would appreciate any suggestions.

[terrywil]

Hi Soundpie.

In my experience, the MOTU 828MKii has been 100% reliable, compatible through several OS X upgrades (now at 10.3.5), and compatible through Logic 6 Platinum upgraded to Logic 6 Pro, and now Logic 7 Pro. I do a lot of MIDI tracks, but also audio tracks (mics and guitar direct into the unit) - no glitches, no noise. The unit is solidly constructed. The software that comes with the unit, CueMix, is a bit unintuitive, but I really don't use it anyway in my system. A great piece of gear.