Bought an Imac - decent inbuilt soundcard?

[Marsh Mal]

Ive just bought an Imac which is due to be delivered on Tuesday and have a couple of questions regarding its inbuilt soundcard and how it compares to the M audio Fast track pro. Im currently using the M-audio device with my PC to enable me to run my KRK monitors, and because i thought it may improve sound clarity, but it seems to give my Ableton huge lag and latency issues which it never suffered from before.

So basically my question is whether Apples inbuilt soundcard will be good enough for me to sell the M-audio USB and simply buy a desktop mixer to run my KRK's through, avoiding clutter and making sure my Ableton will be lag-free.

How good will the inbuilt soundcard be? sufficient for producing and good enough for me to scrap the M audio?

Specs: 2009 iMac 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 21.5" screen, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, running 10.6.8

Thanks!

[Pedro Sánchez]

Answer: No

[Jötunn]

Ive just bought an Imac

Well here's your problem.

Here's your solution: sell it and buy a PC.

[Marsh Mal]

How come? Will sound quality be poor?

[Marsh Mal]

Answer: No

How come? details?

[Sine69]

Ive just bought an Imac

Well here's your problem.

Here's your solution: sell it and buy a PC.

Why would he do that? CoreAudio is the shit dude.

[fragments]

I've never ever been an Mac person admittedly, but it's doubtful that any kind of "stock" soundcard is going to push enough signal or give you a really high quality signal. Also you probably aren't going to get Midi in/outs, RCAs or XLRs or anything like that which is something you'll be wanting...at least at some point.

[RandoRando]

sell the m audio, but a focusrite problem solved

[Electric_Head]

Use the m-audio but make sure your asio driver has it`s buffers setup correctly to reduce latency.

[blinx]

its not a good idea to feed your monitors with the flimsy/noisy/subpar mini stereo jack. The soundcard isnt the problem its the form factor your stuck using (mini stereo plug). Keep the maudio device and you will be good to go.

And dont worry about the Mac haters, my MBP was my first dive into the mac world and i will NEVER go back to PC, especially for production work lol I have 1000 windows based pcs at work and i have to trouble shoot them all day and dont need even more bluescreens when i come home to try and write a track.

[SLASH]

Exactly.. Buffer size reduces latency. the mac soundcard isn't too terrible but the mini jack will be your problem.
I run a new MBP. LOVE IT! I've been PC free for 5 yrs.

[wizeguy]

just bought a mac, big move... life is about to get better TRUSSS ME!

[Heartless]

sell the m audio, but a focusrite problem solved

Then he'll just have a different interface with the buffer settings all out of whack.

[gen_]

Okay, there is obviously a lot of mac haters involved. The truth is you are fine, if theres's one thing Apple can't be accused of skimping on its Audio quality. Burr Browns are expensive and their quality is thought of by many as the best in the world, but Apple have the advantage that they get them in stupid bulk and it goes into every single device they make, from the lowly ipod shuffle to a big ass Mac Pro.

Obviously don't use the input channel without s good preamp, but other than that I would say og ofr it.

Also there is no issues to be had with 'drivers' on Mac. there is one 'driver' and its called CoreAudio and it happens to shit on ASIO all day. got to Preferences in Logic and reduce your buffer to 128 samples and you will never ever have a problem with your drivers again.

And a word of warning to you. Mac and Windows are very different, especially regarding Audio drivers. There are no gains to be had buy turning your buffer settings up past 256 performance wise in the Mac world because CoreAudio automatically creates latency whenever you use too much processor in your project and then lets you turn it off temporarily to record.