OK, with X2 being here now I figure it's time to upgrade my interface so I've been doing some research.
In my price range ($300-400) I've narrowed things down to either one of the Focusrite Saphire units (24 or 40) or one of the Presonus models.
Anybody got any opinions/advice?
Oh yeah, I should mention that I want to stay with a firewire unit, too many USB ports in use as it is.
 
Thanks in advance, guys!

The new MOTU Track 16 looks interesting. It can do USB 2 or Firewire and has everything I'm looking for in an interface. http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/track16. It comes in a little above your price point though, $549.

Rocky

I'd take a serious look at this....it's $150 more then your budget...but would be worth it...

If I had the coin...I'd have it...24 bit - 192 Khz - Firewire 400 AND USB....

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Track16

and Sweetwater let's you make 3 payments of $183.00
There's a one time $10.00 Fee for the service....but
it makes it easier to get things that are usually "out of reach"

And you can get them to "Price Match" so, if you find it cheaper....they'll match that price..

Right now MusiciansFriend has it for the same price with 15 percent off...making it $467...

That's my 2 cents worth....

Both the Focusrite and Presonus units are worthy...but only hit 24 bit - 96 Khz...which is really more then enough...but if you can get even better rez...and MORE inputs...why not?

bluzdog


The new MOTU Track 16 looks interesting. It can do USB 2 or Firewire and has everything I'm looking for in an interface. http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/track16. It comes in a little above your price point though, $549.

Rocky

ha...posting at the same time...nice!

I think your selection needs to come down to interface type (firewire) and number of I/O.. 

So, with respect to the prior recommendations for the Track16..its "horses for courses" since if you have external synths or fx gear the track16 (with only one pair of balanced inputs) is pretty useless.. so for me, looking at my 4 (real) synths...I would be looking at the saffire 40 as it looks like it would be very flexible..

so..look at your gear, and see what your i/o needs are

The Track16 is sexy all right, but personally I wouldn't touch any interface that hasn't been out long enough to have its drivers patched a couple of times.
 
(Also, it's USB... Apparently the other posters didn't read the OP's entire post:  He's asking for Firewire).
 
Speaking as someone who owns two FW units, I have just one piece of advice... Even if your board has built-in FW, install a PCI/PCIe FW add-on card (SIIG is a good brand).
 
They are not very expensive - especially the PCI - and you will bypass all the problems generally associated with the built-in FW ports.  (Even TI chipset controllers can be glitchy, depending on your board's architecture.  The add-on card, in my experience, gets around any conflicts).
 
Good luck.
 
 
 

Thanks guys, the MOTU unit looks cool but out of my range ATM.
I'm thinking the Saphire 40, I don't need that many I/Os as a rule but every now and then I'll need to do a session where it would come in handy.
My mobo has a Via chipset which according to Focusrite should work fine, if not I can slap a card in there.
Yeah, I believe the Saphire 40 is gonna be the ticket.

I have two Sapphire pro 40's- couldn't recommend them enough! Sounds much MUCH better than my old MOTU's- no comparison. (didn't have the Black Lion mods though) 

Focusrite, like Cakewalk, has an actual phone help line where people actually answer the phone and help you. Amazing. Great company, hassle free. You should know that if you do a ton of midi work that there are probably interfaces which allow you to work at lower latencies. I mostly record acoustic, classical instruments and for that, the Focusrites are absolutely superb. 

I'd also recommend getting them on eBay- I saved a bunch of money that way. 

Best wishes-
Ev

In my situation, I like the idea of having optical (adat) out. Otherwise the Focusrite Scarlett would be right up my alley.

Rocky

JonD


The Track16 is sexy all right, but personally I wouldn't touch any interface that hasn't been out long enough to have its drivers patched a couple of times.
 
(Also, it's USB... Apparently the other posters didn't read the OP's entire post:  He's asking for Firewire).
 
Speaking as someone who owns two FW units, I have just one piece of advice... Even if your board has built-in FW, install a PCI/PCIe FW add-on card (SIIG is a good brand).
 
They are not very expensive - especially the PCI - and you will bypass all the problems generally associated with the built-in FW ports.  (Even TI chipset controllers can be glitchy, depending on your board's architecture.  The add-on card, in my experience, gets around any conflicts).
 
Good luck.
 
 
 

JonD,


The Track16 is BOTH USB AND FIREWIRE 400...you obviously ddin't read the entire description (or posts)

And it has 16 inputs....only 2 Mic Pre's...and has Lightpipe as well...

It's a pretty sweet unit...


If you've ever used any of Motu's MK3 units there drivers are pretty solid...
and their reputation is pretty solid as well..

I'm certainly not opposed to either Focusrite or Presonus....I just think - bang for buck..the Track16 is
the way to go....and at $549 with 15 percent off making it $467....it's a steal..


I would love to be able to up my Quad to an Octa one day...but if I'm gonna spend that
kind of money I'll opt for the Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 for few hundred more and 16 inputs
and a digital mixer that I can use in Studio OR Live...