Re: quest for an audio interface for laptop music applications

[Ken Higgins <khl2005@topic.net>]

Well,

It's a Firewire unit and not USB, but I'd like to 
throw in a vote for the MOTU Traveler.  Does all 
that you ask and lots more.
   http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/traveler/

Lots of capabilities to grow into.  It's a lot 
like the MOTU 828 mkII in a portable, bus-powered 
package.

Don't forget that the quality of the A/D 
converters really varies between some of the 
units you mention.

Ken

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

>I've decided to go laptop. At least to compile one setup that is
>entirely laptop. Now I need an USB audio interface - my Phase26 wouldn't
>do here. I'm looking for a laptop-based system with maximum portability.
>
>My requriements:
>
>Hard requirements:
>(1) at least one phantom-powered mic in and one Hi-Z in or two
>phantom-powered mic ins
>(2) two analogue 1/4 or XLR outs
>(3) headphone out
>(4) USB
>
>Would-be-nice:
>(5) a pair of SPDI/F connectors
>(6) a MIDI pair
>(7) possibility to create an effect send/return
>(8) no wallwart necessary
>(9) bus-powered
>(A) symmetrical outs
>(B) USB2
>(C) ADAT connectors
>(D) 24/96
>
>I've come up with a few devices:
>
>M-Audio Fast Track Pro
>Edirol UA-25
>Mackie Spike
>Lexicon Omega
>Alesis IO/2
>Tascam US-122
>Behringer BCA2000
>The requirements tracking matrix looks like this:
>
>                               1       2       3       4       5
>6      7       8       9       A       B       C       D       Price
>M-Audio Fast Track Pro         X       X       X       X       X
>X              X       X       X               X       X       229
>Edirol UA-25                   X       X       X       X       X
>X              X       X       X               X       X       225
>Mackie Spike                   X       X       X       X       X
>X                                              X       X       229
>Lexicon Omega                  X       X       X       X       X
>X                              X                               278
>Alesis IO/2                    X       X       X       X       X
>X              X       X       X               X       X       159
>Tascam US-122                  X       X       X       X
>X              X       X                                       208
>Behringer BCA2000              X       X       X       X       X
>X      X       X                       X       X       X       195
>
>
>Ok, so what is the conclusion? The price is a standard in the 200-230¤
>range - the only exceptions being the Alesis and the Lexicon. The
>Behringer does win the flexibility price, with its lots of outputs, its
>1in-2out-MIDI interface and its ADAT connector. Plus it's the only
>device with USB2, hence it can transmit in 24/96 both ways (if that's
>what you need). And it's the only device where you could create an
>external effects send/return (e.g. to put your favourite
>outboard/stompbox stuff into the setup). And it's cheaper than all
>competitors safe for the Alesis. The Alesis on the other hand is the
>cheapest, and that without standing behind the Edirol/M-Audio/Tascam
>competitors that much. Finally, the Lexicon looks the most
>"professional", with the most powerful included mixer and micpres that
>at least have a fairly "pro" (sic!) name. But you can't power it via the
>bus AND it uses a wallwart...
>
>So, I'm as wise as before. Any suggestions? Any experiences with the
>three devices I mentioned in the last paragraph? Any words on the other
>devices (Edirol, Tascam, Mackie, M-Audio) that should make me
>reconsider? Any other products I didn't even think about?
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>       Rainer