<p>Just to follow up </p>
<p>Found this place to rent hi end microphones…</p>
<p>[Design</a> FX Audio - Vintage Audio Gear Rentals - Classic Compressors - Tube Microphones, Etc? Your Rental Resource for Seriously Cool Pro Audio Gear - Vintage Audio - Pro Tools HD Systems ? Classic Pro Audio Equipment - Remote Recording Truck - For](<a href=“http://www.dfxaudio.com/rental.html]Design”>Design FX Audio - Vintage Audio Gear Rentals - Classic Compressors - Tube Microphones, Etc… Your Rental Resource for Seriously Cool Pro Audio Gear - Vintage Audio - Pro Tools HD Systems – Classic Pro Audio Equipment - Remote Recording Truck - Format Transfers - Equipment Repair Services - 25 Years Experience!)</p>
<p>The firewire device we bought was a presonus firebox. They can be had new for under $200.00, less for a used one on ebay. The tube preamp is called a presonus tube-pre (about $100.00) So for under $300.00 a great starter system can be built (sans microphones).</p>
<p>The Mac OS recognize the devices automatically, therefore no drivers are required.</p>
<p>The other thing that I like about the firewire interface is using it with sampled instruments. Among others we run Synthogy Ivory software (4 different grand pianos) via an external drive and firewire 800. The results are astounding.<br>
Good luck.</p>