You can use Audio MIDI Setup to configure audio input and output devices that you use with your iMac, such as microphones and multichannel audio interfaces. Audio MIDI Setup works with many types of audio and MIDI interface devices, including your computer’s built-in audio and digital multichannel audio devices. It works with devices connected to your iMac using FireWire, USB, Bluetooth, PCMCIA, and PCI.
- Designed by the company that revolutionized mobile music production, the ProFire™ 610 FireWire audio interface transforms your Mac or PC into a powerful 6-in/10-out recording studio. Premium digital converters deliver high-definition, 24-bit/192kHz audio throughout the signal path.
- (READ UPDATE BELOW) I've recently purchased the new Macbook Pro, but I can't figure out how to connect a firewire connection to it. I've gone twice to the Ap.
- Before purchasing an audio interface, the first step is to ascertain what type of communications your computer supports. Almost all modern computers feature at least two USB ports; however, FireWire is somewhat more limited to the pro audio and video environment, and many budget PCs will not support FireWire out-of-the-box.
- From their ability to transmit data quickly to their daisy chain potential and high bandwidth support, Firewire audio interfaces are preferred by Mac-using music engineers around the globe for obvious reasons. Even in the ever-evolving world of audio equipment, Firewire still plays an important role in both pro-level and home amateur studios.
USB2.0 Comparison chart of Audio Interfaces; Firewire Comparison Chart of Audio Interfaces; Firewire interfaces generally work well with the current iMacs, MacBook Pros, Mac Minis and the Mac pro. Note that newer Macbooks do not have firewire. USB 2.0 interfaces are.
The settings you can change in Audio MIDI Setup depend on the audio device you’re using. For example, if the device supports volume control, you can adjust the volume for each channel your audio output device has available by following these steps:
- Connect your audio devices to your iMac. If necessary, install any software included with the devices. See the documentation that came with your audio devices.
- Open Audio MIDI Setup (you can find it in Utilities, inside your computer's Applications folder).
- Choose an audio device from the list on the left side of the Audio Devices window.
- To use the device for sound input, choose 'Use this device for sound input' from the Action pop-up menu.
- To use the device for sound output, choose 'Use this device for sound output' from the Action pop-up menu. If you also want to use the device to play system sounds, choose 'Play alerts and sound effects through this device' from the Action pop-up menu.
- On the right side of the Audio Devices window, choose the options available for the device you're setting up:
- In most cases, leave the 'Clock source' pop-up menu on the default setting.
- To set up surround (multichannel) speaker configurations, click Configure Speakers. Then, choose the type of configuration you want to use. See Set up external speakers for stereo or surround sound for more information.
- You can set the sample rate and bit depth in the Format pop-up menus. Make sure they match the appropriate settings for your audio device and that the input and output sample rates are set to the same value. For example, the built-in speakers of an iMac computer may appear like this:
Firewire Audio Interface For Mac
Additional settings
- If your iMac supports the hardware sample rate converter, the Hardware Rate Converter pop-up menu is available in the Input menu. When you choose Automatic from the pop-up menu, the hardware sample rate converter is turned on if the audio samples coming in are PCM and formatted according to the international standard IEC 60958-3. The hardware sample rate converter is turned off if the input stream is encoded. You can also choose Enable or Disable from the menu to keep the hardware sample rate converter turned on or off.
If you choose Enable from the menu, you may not be able to stream non-LPCM or encoded audio because the audio may not be recognized. - If software volume control is available for your device, the Volume sliders are blue to indicate they are active. Drag the sliders to set the volume for each channel.
Learn more
Get the right Audio Interface for your Macbook, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac and Mac Pro
There are a few things to watch out for if you have a late model Mac. First, the PCI interfaces are not going to work with any of the Mac Pros, and of course not with any of the Mac Books, Mac Book Pros or iMacs. Today's Mac Pro has a PCIe slot format. This will not work with PCI cards. Most of us would probably not need a Mac PCIe interface. Professionals with high i/o needs may want to go the MOTU PCIe route with a MOTU 24io, and a MOTU 2408 Mk 3. These are for large multi track systems with digital mixers. The Home studio enthusiast has many other options and they are mainly firewire options. That is what we'll mainly focus on here.
Tweak: This is the back of a Tascam FW1884, and audio interface with plenty of i/o. Click the pic to enlarge.
When comparing features like i/o be sure to check out these comparison charts
Firewire interfaces generally work well with the currentiMacs, MacBook Pros, Mac Minis and the Mac pro. Note that newer Macbooks do not have firewire. USB 2.0 interfaces are valid for those Macbooks and all the others as well. At the bottom of the page you'll find lots of polls, user reviews and discussions from our forums.
Keep in mind there are more audio interfaces that will work with your Mac. This is more of a list of those that should form the basis of your research. I am not including Digidesign interfaces here because they have done extensive compatibility theses on their website. That is where you should research matching your Mac to an appropriate Digidesign or m-audio interface.
When considering any audio interface there are 4 things that create the perfect storm for you.
- 1. excellent functioning drivers for your OS and applications
- 2. excellent sounding converters
- 3. excellent sounding preamps
- 4. sufficient and appropriate i/o for your studio
You can always add on different preamps and converters to nearly any audio interface. Preamps will plug into the line inputs and converters will use s/pdif i/o. But there are two things you cannot change, or fix, with the interface you eventually choose. You can't go in and re-write driver code. The drivers manage the 'traffic' from inputs to software to outputs and are at least partially to blame for latency issues, clicks and pops, and other nasties. Also you cannot change your i/o. If you get a box with 2 analog inputs and outputs, even if you buy a 100 channel mixer you can't change the fact that from the standpoint of the computer you have 2 channels in and 2 out and that will limit how many tracks you can record at one time to two. Its a great plan to get more i/o than you need. You can do this by choosing an interface with an ADAT 'lightpipe' input. This gives you 8 digital inputs into your system. You could add a rack of 8 analog preamps that have ADAT digital out.
The back panel of the MOTU 828mk3. Click the pic to enlarge
You can find audio interfaces for your Mac from $150 to $2,000 on this page. What is the difference? As above, quality of components for the preamps, converters and the number of hardware i/o. There is the research and development cost of making solid drivers, beta testing them among various applications, keeping the drivers updated through software and Operating system revisions. Finally there is the build quality of the box, brand name recognition, status in the professional community and how well the company follows Apple through its changes.
Low Cost (under $500)
PreSonus FireStudio Mobile FireWire Audio Interface |
Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface
Apogee Duet
Also, look at the Mackie Onyx 820i 8-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire Interface
Mid Cost ($500-$1000)
Motu ultralite Mk3
Motu 8 pre
Motu 828 mk3, Traveler
| Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) 896mk3 Firewire Audio Interface |
Higher Cost ($1000.00 plus)
Tascam FW 1884
RME Fireface 400
| Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) 2408mk3 Digital Audio Interface |
Firewire Audio Interface For Mac Pro 2017
| Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) 24IO 24-Channel Audio Interface |
Apogee Ensemble
Mackie Onyx 1640i 16-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire Interface |
Firewire Interface Pc
Metric Halo
Cool Threads
- Poll The Best Firewire Interface Under $300 for MAC is
- Poll The Better Firewire Interface for a MAC $300 to $500 is...
Cool Links
- Apple Discussions: Presonus Firestudio Project (See for Tascam us1641)
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Firewire Audio Interface For Mac