USB Audio Interface suggestions

[pianoman88]

Terrible RFI issues (strange sounds with hard drive activity and mouse activity) with Apogee Duet even after replacing cables so I decided to try the audio output with mini-to-XLR cable. A little better, but random loud pops.

Any suggestions? Focusrite Scarlett appears to have issues.



ML 10.8.4 Server
2013 Mac Mini
16 GB Ram

 

[philipma1957]

Terrible RFI issues (strange sounds with hard drive activity and mouse activity) with Apogee Duet even after replacing cables so I decided to try the audio output with mini-to-XLR cable. A little better, but random loud pops.

Any suggestions? Focusrite Scarlett appears to have issues.



ML 10.8.4 Server
2013 Mac Mini
16 GB Ram

1)don't use usb3 use thunderbolt.

2) look into the rf shield in the mini I will try to find the link


http://blog.macsales.com/15990-shielding-resolves-usb-3-0-conflict-with-bluetooth

 

[pianoman88]

1)don't use usb3 use thunderbolt.

2) look into the rf shield in the mini I will try to find the link


http://blog.macsales.com/15990-shielding-resolves-usb-3-0-conflict-with-bluetooth

The link focuses on Bluetooth issues. My problem is with audio. I found a good deal on a Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 box. if that does't work, I may try a Motu interface.

My next step is to either get a laptop or purchase the new Mac Pro.

 

[Luap]

philipma1957: Those suggestions won't make a jot of difference. The Duet just sucks with OS X 10.8


I also have a new MacMini + Apogee Duet, and also had a pretty bad experience with them both.
It was so bad I resorted to dusting off my 12 year old firewire MOTU 828 (the original version) and crackly knobs aside, it appears to work perfectly. However, it can't work at higher sample rates, so I was still on the look out for another audio interface.
I was quite encouraged by the fact the old MOTU still worked so well. So I figured I'd try another MOTU, and opted for the MOTU Audio Express.
These have Firewire and USB. Im using mine with Firewire and it seems to work just great and sounds plenty good enough to me. It certainly doesn't feel like a poor mans alternative to the Duet, and the MOTU has some useful extra features over the Duet too.
No glitches or stutters anymore, runs nicely at low latencies. Im happy with it

 

[Fishrrman]

My suggestion:

Look for a used Echo "Audiofire4" or "AudiFire8"...

 

[Alrescha]

The M-Audio Transit, though old, still works with Mountain Lion.

A.

 

[benwiggy]

I have an Edirol FA-66, which is great. It runs FireWire, self-powered.

It's got pretty much everything you could need without going colossal. It doesn't need any drivers as it conforms to CoreAudio/MIDI.

I couldn't find any decent USB kit to match it. I think that might happen with USB 3 interface boxes, but there aren't any of those yet.

 

[mr.steevo]

Terrible RFI issues (strange sounds with hard drive activity and mouse activity) with Apogee Duet even after replacing cables so I decided to try the audio output with mini-to-XLR cable. A little better, but random loud pops.

Any suggestions? Focusrite Scarlett appears to have issues.



ML 10.8.4 Server
2013 Mac Mini
16 GB Ram

Is this a grounding issue?