Mbox Vs. The Rest Of The Usb World, guidance for powerbook recording set up Options

[tgwj]

I have a g4 powerbook 867 Mhz, 384 mb RAM, running 10.2.8. After some investigation, I've narrowed my choices down to two, for money, quality and reliability: getting an M-Audio Duo and Logic Audio Big Box or getting the Digidesign M-box. (roughly $500 for either) I'm wondering if there's any major differences between the two set-ups (hardware or software advantages, etc.) and also if anyone has any recommendations or warnings for me on my set up in general.

I'll be doing some recording with a mixer probably or just using the 2 inputs for mics, etc. I recognize the limitations of USB but I need good software more than inputs/outputs right now. Maybe I'll upgrade to FireWire sometime. Thanks for your advice!

[rickenbacker]

A popular rule of thumb is that it's better to increase the bit-depth of audio files rather than increase the sampling rate. In other words, working at 24-bit and 44.1KHz is good enough for most humans (really, only bats and high-end mastering engineers might be picky about your track's sonic definition above this) and is an acceptable compromise between sound quality and hard disk space. Plus everyone listens to the finished CD at 16-bit, 44/1KHz, anyway.

It is perfectly true, though, that the quality of your sound cannot be higher than the weakest link in your signal chain. You have a $1,000 acoustic guitar, but you record it using a $150 mic. Disappointed with the results, you will be.

As for the FireWire 410, there does seem to be quite a crowd of disgruntled users out there already. The reality doesn't seem to match the expectation, basically.