Interfaces other than Digi 002 and Motu 896

Im gonna cop one during christmas break when i get my vacation pay


Digi 002 - universally accepted software and hardware

motu - smaller, compatibility with more software

and.....what else is out there that is compatible with a Mac



Tascam? Roland?

Depends on what you need in terms of input/output options. Cards with one or more ADAT connections might run you a couple of bucks extra, but will make it possible to expand your number of inputs/outputs fairly cheaply.

RME interfaces (currently, the Fireface 800 is making waves) have a good reputation for sound quality and stability.

The presonus firepod seems pretty good too, especially if you need many mic preamps. Apparently they've skipped yamahas flawed mLan protocol, unlike in the flopped firestation.

And if you go for PCI-based solutions instead of firewire, there's so much to choose from that it's almost ridiculous.

Personally, I've just switched to a Motu 828mkII and though I haven't been able to hook it up to my desktop computer yet, it works flawlessly with my laptop.

The software point is on the plus side for the Digi 002 (or Digi 002 rack), but on the other hand they're pretty costly considering what they provide in terms of I/O.

Phew, long post without any real tips, but this is what I do whenever I'm about to purchase anything fairly expensive:

1. Look up the different alternatives
2. List their pros, cons and price next to eachother, search the user forums for bugs and problems.
3. Calm down for a month
4. Purchase whatever comes out on top.

RME
Echo
EMU
Edirol

go to sonicstate.com and look through the studio section under interfaces or something, that site has tons of gear reviews n ish

http://www.soundonsound.com/ also have tons of reviews.