I recommended the Mackie Onyx 1620I to a friend but now I'm not sure he has firewire. If I were to recommend a USB mixer instead, what compares in quality and features to the Mackie? It seems to be an undeveloped part of the market...

FW cards are dirt cheap. Easier to go that way than to limit your mixer/interface choice.

Yeah, most gear was designed a few years back when FW was still alive (indeed, the only option way back in USB1 days). New products are likely to come with USB, but they're not likely to come along until the manufacturers decide it's time to revamp their product lines; and there isn't much incentive for manufacturers to do that while their existing products are still selling OK.

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FW cards are dirt cheap. Easier to go that way than to limit your mixer/interface choice.

Yeah, most gear was designed a few years back when FW was still alive (indeed, the only option way back in USB1 days). New products are likely to come with USB, but they're not likely to come along until the manufacturers decide it's time to revamp their product lines; and there isn't much incentive for manufacturers to do that while their existing products are still selling OK.

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His computer is an early Macbook Pro with no firewire so I'm not sure if there is a way to expand? Anyway, given he's not very technically minded, I'm wondering if a simple stereo USB mixer (e.g. Allen & Heath Zed, Mackie Profx) might actually be more productive?

Quote mjfe2:

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His computer is an early Macbook Pro with no firewire so I'm not sure if there is a way to expand? Anyway, given he's not very technically minded, I'm wondering if a simple stereo USB mixer (e.g. Allen & Heath Zed, Mackie Profx) might actually be more productive?

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So what do you want? 16-channel multitrack into the computer or a stereo mix into the computer? Two different tools for two quite different jobs.

I'm pretty sure the only Macbook model without firewire is the Macbook Air. Thunderbolt to Firewire converters were supposed to arrive on the market in Q2 2011... but of course, we're still waiting.

There was a short time when Apple did some Intel FW-less MacBooks. The OP's friend must have one of those.

the focusrite scarlett range offers USB2 intergration - as does the new RME UCX (reviewed in this issue of SOS)
The RME is expensive tho......but knowing RME will be very good....the focusrite models are cheaper

I've used both companies (although not these models - using a focusrite sapphire 10/10 now, used an RME pci card before) and got good results from both...

you need to stipulate a budget and an in/out requirement

you'll miss the 'desk' feel of the mackie - with the eq and faders - although both rme and focusrite products come with some form of 'virtual' desk....it really depends on what your mate wants to do....

(i would have recommended the allen and heath zedr16 over the mackie anyway.... )

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Make sure the Firewire converter card is compatible with the Mackie or any other interface, I bought one when the FW went west on a — and it didn't work with my RME Fireface 800. But it did work for transferring files, etc.

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FW cards are dirt cheap. Easier to go that way than to limit your mixer/interface choice.

Yeah, most gear was designed a few years back when FW was still alive (indeed, the only option way back in USB1 days). New products are likely to come with USB, but they're not likely to come along until the manufacturers decide it's time to revamp their product lines; and there isn't much incentive for manufacturers to do that while their existing products are still selling OK.

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His computer is an early Macbook Pro with no firewire so I'm not sure if there is a way to expand? Anyway, given he's not very technically minded, I'm wondering if a simple stereo USB mixer (e.g. Allen & Heath Zed, Mackie Profx) might actually be more productive?

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I've got the first gen MBP and it definitely has FW! If not, has it got the express card slot? You could get a FW expansion card for the slot. They aren't expensive at all.