USB audio w/ late 2008 MB: Edirol or PreSonus or other?

swing

Recently I bought a new 2.4GHz cpu 2GB ram MB and installed a 7200rpm Scorpio Black hard drive.



I've continued to use my old 12" PB to use with several external audio boxes using firewire. The most basic device, and the one I use most often, is the PreSonus Firebox, a two channel 24/96 box with phantom 48v mic power.



I am already tired of using the PB to record and then transfer the sessions to my MB where I work on the recordings, and so I am searching for a USB based audio recording box to use with the new MB.



I need at least two channels of 48v phantom power and prefer to record at 24/96. I've searched a bit and have only found the Edirol UA-25EX.



Because my PreSonus has worked so well I prefer PreSonus, but their AudioBox USB does not record at 24/96. Does anyone have suggestions as to what may be the best USB device to use?



Thanks in advance.

nvidia2008

I would say go with the Edirol, just check through the specs to make sure it's what you need.



The M-Audio one may be interesting: (Fast Track Ultra)

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...rackUltra.html



Looks like it has the features you need, Fast Track Pro (one model down) doesn't mention 48V Phantom but the Fast Track Ultra does.



For USB recording interfaces, I'd probably go with Edirol or M-Audio.



There's Digidesign but I've always thought of their interfaces as a bit fiddly, and somehow very geared towards ProTools (which feels disadvantageous if you are doing Logic or other stuff). Edirol and M-Audio is more straightforward.



I'm no expert, just my 2 cents, good luck...!

bergermeister

I have a Fast Track Pro and it's great. It has phantom power: there's a switch on the back to turn it on and off. I use the FTP to record on my MacBook Air, sometimes to my MacPro.



http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro.html



Here's a photo of the back:

http://www.m-audio.com/images/global...ckPro_back.jpg



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If you ever need a simple mic (mono), try the samson C01U. They have come out with a couple of different models since I bought a few years ago.



It's USB plug and use and has awesome sound.



http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...fm?prodID=1810

swing

Thanks much for the suggestions.



The M-Audio Fast Track Ultra is tempting because it can lock to an external clock, but I think I'll either buy the Edirol or wait for DigiDesign's MBox 2 to be upgraded with a USB 2 interface and then buy that.



Better yet, maybe Jobs will wake up and add firewire to the MB and I'll swap my new MB for a firewire MB.



In the meantime I guess I'll keep using the trusty ol' 12" PB.



Thanks again!