Need New Interface - Seeking Advice

If you have a MacBook Pro you should be able to use either Firewire or USB. I have an older Presonus Firebox. I've never had any problems with mine and I simply love it. They don't make the Firebox anymore but they've got an Audiobox product line that looks very similar although they are mostly USB devices I think. Any one of those should be within your $500 price range. However, I wouldn't recommend running your interface into a USB hub. So if you're low on USB inputs on your Mac, I'd suggest searching out a Firewire alternative.

I would go firewire if you can. I love the Focusrite Saffire series. Great units and converters!

I appreciate your help. I'be got some research to do for sure.

I have two of the M-Audio Profire 2626 units and love them ... period! My Korg D3200 has sat on the shelf since these were added to my rig.

I have the mackie onyx blackbird, and it's my recommendation that you avoid it. I had to return the first one I received as it was getting incorrect levels (one side was significantly higher then the other). It doesn't get that low of latency. Plugs get stuck in the lines in. The control isn't all that impressive. User guide sucks. But the worst part of it is that it will randomly stop working and I have to restart my computer to get reaper to recognize it again. I guess it's a driver conflict with something else, but Im on a fresh install with very few things installed. It's an improvement over what i was using before, but I wish I had saved my money and picked up another brand. So overall, I'd say check out motu products. Or that Roland octa-capture looks interesting:

apogee duet 2