Topic: Please help me on an interface

[LocoLako]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I have been searching around for a long while on where to go just to ask this question and this place seems like the best bet.

I've done countless hours of research and Ive come to no conclusion.  PLEASE HELP!!!

My situation is this

I need a Firewire interface.

It seemed simple but there are just so many options and opinions I don't know where to go.

I am only willing to spend 300 plus tax or whatever but you know what I mean.

It only has to have 2 xlr/hi-z inputs.

I have looked at several.
Presonus Firebox
T.C. Konnekt 8
Alesis i0|14
etc etc

But which is the best overall?

Can someone clear it all up for me?

[rowjimmy]

I have been there. I'm still there really.

The questions you should start with (now that you already have your budget) are:

1) How many simultaneous inputs do I need?
 a) What type should they be? (phantom xlr/combo, rca, s/pdif, midi?)

2) Will I ever want to run it 'standalone' (without connecting it to a computer) ?

Then look at the field reports for those boxes that still fit the bill.

The firebox gets very positive reviews and supports a bunch of inputs.

The  konnekt8 is untried in our field but has garnered some good reviews so far (it's still quite new.) Mine has just arrived but I haven't plugged it in yet...

The Alesis is, in this circle not a proven product either. I haven't read up on that one but I have looked at it and it's got some nice looking features. I have no idea what level of quality the pres or adc provide, though.

[LocoLako]

Well I was looking into getting a simple 2 channel setup
Meaning 2 Combo inputs

But I don't really know what inputs and outputs I will need.

See I plan to use it along with a keyboard controller
At least 1 set of headphones, maybe two
And probably a controller pad like the trigger finger or the padKontrol
All this will be running into a macbook
At first I would be running garageband and then when I get a bit more money, logic

But I have heard certain things, such as the saffire stuff has better internals then the presonus

[goodcooker]

howdy....
I have used 2 diff interfaces with my pc laptop....the Presonus Firebox and the Tascam us122(now discontinued) the tascam is dirt cheap and works well (the pres are comparable to the Firebox imho) but has limited connectivity, 2channels at a time period and usb to comp.

The firebox is better imo and has mucho connectivity....i have run 2xXLR and 2xline in at 24bit/96kHz into Adobe Audition with excellent results. it is also bus powered by 6pin fw connector (but not 4!) and it has a very handy software mixer fro signal routing and monitoring. The firebox is a very solid piece of equipment. The only prob w/ it to me is that the knobs are small and very close together so sometimes you move one accidentally while adjusting the one next to it.

I have not used the others you mentioned......hope this helps

btw you can go to  http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=502252 to dld a show I recorded with Studio Projects C4s > Tascam us122 > Laptop w/ Audition 1.5