Help me, Internet Audio Nerds!
I am paralyzed by choice.
I am in the market for new firewire audio interface. I’ve been rocking the 828 (mark 1) for about, uh, 7 years now. I have other uses for it. It’s time for something new in the studio.
My original plan was to go Metric Halo. Sadly, they raised their prices. A lot. Far beyond my means. They now are at a price point alongside the Apogee Ensemble and Fireface800, both of which I’d love but just can’t justify buying.
So I’m looking in the sub-grand range. My 828 has kind of lousy mic pres, which I’d like to improve. I need SPDIF to continue to bridge in my dbx preamp.
I’m looking at the 828 Mk3 – one thing I’ll say about the 828 is that the drivers have been rock solid through 3 computers and a bunch of different OSes. But I’m not sure if they’ve improved the sound much, other than tacking on a mess of DSP effects. I’m also considering the Focusrite Saffire Pro 26io, because I used to own a Focusrite pre that I loved the sound of – I’m just not sure how the drivers hold up on the mac. A salesguy at Sweetwater recommended the Presonus Firestudio, but I’ve always heard mixed things about presonus stuff.
So in short, I have no freaking idea what to do.
Little help?
*EDIT* Dammit, The TC Konnekt 48 looks pretty awesome too.
