Audio Interface Software, Is it necessary OS X? Options

[monads]

Ok, so for some audio interfaces I see the driver support for OS X but the bundled software to configure the unit looks to be for OS 9. A perfect example would be the Echo Layla 24. Do I not need the software and can just configure everything through Core Audio?

[dixiechicken]

Basically every piece of peripheral in a computer needs a driver.
This is most obvious for external devices such as, scanners printers, modems audiointerfaces,
well scsi-cards etc.

Wether these drivers comes as part of the operating system software
or delivered as separate installers, is another thing entirerely.

Example:
The generic apple postscript printer driver built into Mac OS X will allow you to print a simple
text dokument with a picture in it to the Cannon GPL 550-605 digital copier, over a network.

To get your work sorted, stapled, punched and with a special cover pages you NEED the special driver from Cannon. ( b.t.w it doesnt exist ).

To summarize:
Every equipment ( almost ) needs a driver,
Drivers can be included in the operating system or installed separately
Drivers can be generic or specialized
Specialized drivers are mostly for added funtionality, somtimes for added speed.

Cheers: Dixiechicken