Very portable firewire audio interfaces for laptops?

MitchK1989 · Post by **MitchK1989** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:32 am

Basically I really like the idea of the apogee duet... The only problem is that it doesn't have a separate output channel for headphones and main outs... Which sucks for DJing (I know I can create a combined device on OSX and use the computer's headphone jack, but that's a bit of a workaround...)

Are there any other awesome little boxes like this one? Something that isn't like a 19 inch rack or something else that would be a pain to have sitting on a table next to the laptop in a coffee shop? Something that's portable in the same way?

EDIT: I should mention that I have seen things like the audiofire and traveller... But I would prefer something that has the controls on the top of it and is clearly meant to be sitting on a table, instead of something that uses just the "front and back" for everything, and winds up being a half-rack design or something else...

Post by **wiss** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:01 am

the smallest one I can think that is firewire is the MOTU UltraLite
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite/

JSRockit · Post by **JSRockit** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:52 pm

Yep, MOTU Ultralite...it is powered from the FW port as well...so no need for a power supply.

MitchK1989 · Post by **MitchK1989** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:48 pm

hrm. Still doesn't quite have the form factor of the duet...

I think it's more or less decided then unless I'm missing something. The duet can fit in my front pocket even. I don't really need all those analog line inputs like on the ultralite, this interface will be for my own personal use and I've switched to software for synthesis and sampling, so I'd just be recording guitar, bass, vocals, and so on, and only one track at a time (or maybe two if I dual mic an acoustic or whatever)... The only downside to the duet seems to be the lack of independent outputs for headphones and main outs, which sucks for DJing, but I guess I'll just have to do the whole aggregate device thing.

JSRockit · Post by **JSRockit** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:24 pm

Are you going to be djing that often?

Altitude · Post by **Altitude** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:52 pm

how about the inspire?

separate headphone outs and hiz inputs

http://www.presonus.com/inspire1394.html

Half the price of the duet and no stupid break out cable

drummy · Post by **drummy** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:27 pm

Altitude wrote:how about the inspire?

separate headphone outs and hiz inputs

http://www.presonus.com/inspire1394.html

Half the price of the duet and no stupid break out cable

I can vouch for the inspire. It's quality, although I'm planning on selling it to get a MOTU 896.

MitchK1989 · Post by **MitchK1989** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:15 am

JSRockit wrote:Are you going to be djing that often?

I'm certainly hoping so. I suppose if I get to the point of doing it enough to really get fed up with using an aggregate device, I'd just buy a dedicated DJ controller/interface, while still using the duet for my usual gigs and studio work.

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:54 am

I've been DJing and doing desk recordings of live gigs with a Presonus Firebox lately. Enough ins and outs, pretty freakin small, bus powered, quite good audio quality. Seems to be stable on my Macbook too, haven't had any issues yet.