Which Inteface Would Work Best With Logic Express? Options

[mjtrev]

Hello!

I am very seriously considering buying logic express...It looks like excellent software for my needs and is very affordable as well. Which interface would work the best with this software? (least bugs, best compatibilities etc) I know there are emagic products but I have heard bad things about them.

Any help is appreciated!

Imac flat screen 15-inch G4- 700 MHz 40gig and 750 MB ram

Thanks!

[rickenbacker]

Edirol and Tascam do decent and popular USB interfaces, although there are many more manufacturers, such as M-Audio, Novation, etc. MOTU make the best FireWire interface, although Edirol again and M-Audio have cheaper (and in some instances flakier) alternatives. How much money have you got?

Logic Express is very good software. I don't know if the Emagic interfaces are all that bad. Believe me, nothing with computers and music works completely flawlessly.

[mjtrev]

Thanks for that...

I would prefer the firewire interface but would except a very high-end USB...I would be willing to spend between $200 and $600

Thanks again for the thoughts.

[rickenbacker]

High-end or low-end USB, the maximum bandwidth remains the same. With FireWire, you automatically get a huge data transfer path, which should be more than enough for plenty of simultaneous audio tracks. That's the difference.

Try the second-hand market. For $600, I reckon you'll be able to find, say, an original MOTU 828 (ie not MK II). That's what I did and it's never given me a moment's trouble. Tread carefully, read a lot and you should be able to find a good buy.

Happy hunting!

[xingu]

I'll throw my $0.02 in and pimp Tascam's US-428. Yes, it's USB, but handles recording of up to 4 simultaneous tracks with no problems (I recently tested this). I have the Logic Big Box (Express before the name change) and the exact same hardware as you - with less RAM - I only have 384, plus an external firewire drive.

The plus is you get an interface with solid drivers (I can at least vouch for Jaguar - I have yet to upgrade to Panther), 2 MIDI in/outs, and a control surface that is directly supported by Logic. I've found the faders, transport buttons, and jog wheel to be very convenient, especially dealing with the 15" iMac screen. But like rickenbacker said, do plenty of research first to see what best fits your needs.

[mjtrev]

You guys rule! Thanks for the advice!!

[aptmunich]

High-end or low-end USB, the maximum bandwidth remains the same. With FireWire, you automatically get a huge data transfer path, which should be more than enough for plenty of simultaneous audio tracks. That's the difference.

Not if it's a USB 2.0 product, the bandwidth on 2.0 is comparable to firewire 400 (400 Mbps vs.480 Mbps)

But i don't know if anyone makes a usb 2.0 interface?

[editbrain]

well true for data tranfer. usb is as fast or faster than firewire, but usb sends data in packets not streams. so if data sequences are droped then you have a bogus recording. something like that. so usb is good for a couple of tracks at a time, but not when trying to record more than that. when i say a couple i mean 2-4 max. not just 2.

happy recording,
editbrain

[jimsimon]

I have the Griffin Powerwave and it works great with Logic. The price is right as well... $79 from ClubMac.