usb mixer and/or audio interface for recording into macbook

hi,
please could someone tell me what USB 2.0 interface or USB mixer for 16-bit professional audio quality recordings for my new macbook (with 4GB upgrade and no firewire)

i want to create some tracks on the MPC 2500se then send them in stereo to logic for editing EQ/Compression etc.. (unless the effecs/eq is better on a usb mixer instead of what's in logic pro 9 as far as audio quality is concerned... someone please tell me...lol)

plus i also want to use a midi keyboard to record using the bulit in sounds in logic pro 9.
i will be only be recording one track at a time into the macbook as ill be making simple hip hop beats with no need of using more than 16 channels in total for any song...

is something like the "Alesis MultiMix 16 USB 2.0 Mixer" what i need are far as professional audio quality is concerned

or is it something as simple as a usb audio interface is what i only need

Thanks!

mhann wrote:or is it something as simple as a usb audio interface is what i only need

A USB audio interface should be enough for your needs providing it has enough I/O and a midi input.

Logic has enough FX for most project studio requirements 'in the box'.

For the MPC2500 you might want to consider an interface with at least 2, 8 or 10 analogue inputs plus S/PDIF digital I/O.

Some such interfaces manifest themselves as 'control surfaces' a la M-Audio Projectmix, but this is Firewire only.

More inputs is always better for a growing studio.

hi cheers for your reply clint...
i was looking at the Tascam US144 MK2 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface and it seems like it'll be just what i need
for maxium quality/clarity, would you recommend using the digital I/Os instead of using the analogue outputs with balanced cables or does it not make a difference..

it seems like the functionality of the 8 outs seems easier than the digital I/Os but i dont know for sure...

mhann wrote:hi cheers for your reply clint...
i was looking at the Tascam US144 MK2 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface and it seems like it'll be just what i need
for maxium quality/clarity, would you recommend using the digital I/Os instead of using the analogue outputs with balanced cables or does it not make a difference..

it seems like the functionality of the 8 outs seems easier than the digital I/Os but i dont know for sure...

Yes, the digital path will always sound better than analog. Plus if you need 8 channels of digital, you can look towards something that sports 24 bit adat optical.

But TBH, to get max clarity/quality, you'd probably would want to go with something that provides HD (120 dB or more in the dynamic range dept). But then you'd be looking at the cost factor, unless thats not an issue for you.

Mhann... why not get a FireWire audio interface for your MB?

cheers for all the responses people

"Mhann... why not get a FireWire audio interface for your MB?" only because they they've taken the firewire out of the new macs so i only have 2 x USB 2.0s to work with