Mackie Onyx Blackbird vs Focusrite Saffire Pro 40

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davej1978
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2011/07/26 09:02:53 (permalink)

Mackie Onyx Blackbird vs Focusrite Saffire Pro 40

I looking to get a new audio interface...  And I've narrowed it down to either Mackie Onyx Blackbird or Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.  i'm leaning towards the saffire because it's a little cheaper.  Any reason to pick one over the other?
 
Curently using Windows Vista64(also debating moving to Win7) and Sonar x1.  I've been using a presonus firebox which seems just ok to me.  But now I need more inputs.  Years ago I had an Aardvark and loved it, but they are nolonger supported.
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    Beagle
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    Re:Mackie Onyx Blackbird vs Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 2011/07/26 11:53:45 (permalink)
    mackie's drivers are not up to par, IMO.  a lot of people on this forum have reported problems getting the drivers to work correctly and a lot of people even ended up buying 3rd party drivers for them just to get the hardware to work correctly in sonar.

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    davej1978
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    Re:Mackie Onyx Blackbird vs Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 2011/07/26 18:39:52 (permalink)
    Thanks Beagle... 
    I went to your website and I notice that you have a list of interfaces you recomend...  Focusrite didn't make the list?  But presonus did...  I have a firebox now and I'm hoping the saffire will be an upgrade in quality.
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    Beagle
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    Re:Mackie Onyx Blackbird vs Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 2011/07/26 18:47:33 (permalink)
    focusrite interfaces are OK.  I probably should revise the list and add them.  it's just a matter of time.

    at one time they had "iffy" drivers as well, but I think they've overcome that.

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    fireberd
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    Re:Mackie Onyx Blackbird vs Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 2011/07/27 06:24:39 (permalink)
    I'm using a Saffire Pro 40.  Great "transparent" preamps (what you input is what is recorded).  I also have an MAudio Ultra 8R and it works well and has a lower latency but the preamps are not "transparent" like the Saffire Pro 40. 

    If the Saffire Pro 40 went "belly up", I would buy another.

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