OT: External sound card for MAC

[gogreen]

In the next 2-3 months, I will be changing from a Windows environment to Mac--mainly an iMac and a MacBook Pro. I'm looking for suggestions for an external sound card that I'll use mainly for playback in Finale with Garritan libraries. In Windows I've been using an M-Audio 2496 sound card, which has served me well for years. I'm looking for something akin to that or better. Thanks.

[BuonTempi]

I like Roland / Edirol stuff. The Focusrite Scarlett range gets good press, too. I've found M-Audio to be slow to update drivers and not great hardware quality.

What sort of usage are you looking for: just external output to an amp and speakers, or something more?

You can buy 'direct' USB (or even Bluetooth) speakers, which might be cheaper and offer an all-in-one package. You can also configure MacOS to use multiple sound outputs at once!

[gogreen]

What sort of usage are you looking for: just external output to an amp and speakers, or something more?

Just direct output to my M-Audio AV-40 monitors.

[MikeHalloran]

If you’re not also doing input, a simple monitor controller will work.
https://www.sweetwater.com/c417--Studio ... anagement/

The powered units are more flexible and have a hotter output but the passive units get the job done. I use the Radial MC3 but the new Mackies are great.

If working in a DAW, you need an interface. I like the MOTU units but you have a ton of choices.

Working with a monitor controller is still a good idea for checking mono compatibility and having a volume knob and a dim switch without messing with your mix.