Which firewire audio interface?

[handsdown]

I'm currently deciding on an audio interface, and would appreciate some advice.

I'm putting together a home studio, to record mainly electronic drumset (via midi), and real percussion, mostly track-by-track. Also want option to record real drumset, so need at least 4 inputs. I'm using an iMac (2.66ghz) with Logic Express, soon to upgrade to Logic 7.

In future I plan to play live with electronic drumset, Roland handsonic percussion synth, vocals and at least 4 real percussion instruments (conga, timbales etc...), all through Mac laptop on Ableton Live.

I think I need the following specs for my interface:

firewire
4 inputs +
midi in/out (any interfaces have 2 x midi in?)
phono input (not essential, but would be nice)

I'm considering the following (in approximate order of price):

Focusrite Saffire/ Focusrite Saffire LE
Presonus Firepod
Alesis io 26
Motu Traveler

Any advice gratefully received!

[handsdown]

ANY advice gratefully received!

[brandondrury]

The Presonus Firepod is very popular around here. It's probably the most popular audio interface. Actually, all of those audio interfaces are fairly popular around here. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Just make sure you dig up the chipset requirements for each of them.

It's always a crapshoot as to whether you'll have technical problems. I'd expect them all to sound identical for all practical purposes.

Brandon

[handsdown]

Thanks for that. I'm leaning towards the Saffire or Firepod, though possibly favouring the former, because the onboard effects will ease the load on my laptop for live use.

Expansion would be important though, so I've got a few questions about expansion/connectivity:

Could I use the S/PDIF inputs to expand the number of mic inputs? (For example, add on 4 more mics to give upto 6 for recording drumkit) What sort of unit would I need for that?

If I wanted to connect more than one midi device, how would I expand the number of midi inputs? I've seen USB Midi hubs, but not midi-midi hubs.

Thanks again

(btw, this site is great)

[boo]

If you're doing live work, the motu and the mac are a stable combo. I've used my macbook and motu ultralite live triggering drums.

You mean Logic 8, right? I wouldn't get 7 at this point.

[handsdown]

Thanks, I hadn't looked at the Ultralite, but will now consider it. I had read that there were some stability issues, but clearly you haven't had any problems.

Yes, you're right, I meant Logic 8.

Cheers

[unclemole]

I use the Alesis i026. It's awesome. The Pre-Amps are incredible... Dual Headphone control... 8 inputs. Comes with Cubase, which is a pretty decent program for being free. Comes with a grab bag of Compressors, Delay and Effects.

[handsdown]

Cheers, thanks for all replies and advice. I'm still deciding, and checking out models at different shops.

[brandondrury]

The Pre-Amps are incredible

Compared to what?

I don't own a single piece of gear that I consider to be incredible...(except for maybe my samples) and I've got some expensive stuff.

Brandon

[fmw]

I'm a saffire user. I can tell you that its performance is as good as any and it is a little fussier to use than some others. I own that and an Edirol FA-66. The Edirol nearly works itself, the Saffire takes a learning curve. The Edirol has enough inputs for you but only two of them are mic preamps.