Apple developing FireWire audio interface codenamed "Asteroid"

Apple is developing a firewire audio interface for GarageBand codenamed "Asteroid" or "Q97".  The breakout box will include multiple audio inputs, including two XLR microphone inputs.  There's speculation that it will either be a basic Airport Express-style white box or a full-fledged transport control box, but given its price, the former seems more likely.  It will draw its power from the FireWire line and is expected to be be released in early 2005 for around $129.

[Michele @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

I wanted to buy an M-Audio, but I guess I'll wait for this one.
It'll be cheapier and will work with FireWire...

Can't wait to see if this true!

[Nathan Ziarek @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Cool graphic, but...seems a little far fetched to me. The price seems to be way cheap (especially for an Apple product with their quality components and legendary profit margin) and the device seems to be very complicated for a product like GarageBand and iLife. Apple's MO is to make things simple and straight forward, not middle them with knobs and dials. I wouldn't buy one even if it was real, but it would still be cool if they did offer something like that.

[Paal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

OK, it probably looks NOTHING like that picture. It is described as a white box with a couple of XLR inputs on to, and TOSLINK optical out, FireWire and some analouge outputs. Nothing more, and the concept drawing sucks since it is nothing like a sensible mix table.

[bryce @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Paal is right. The concept art pictured above is way off. It's going to look like the airport express, but with a couple of XLR inputs on it.

[Bashford @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

It's apple trying to invade the space currently occupied by Griffin and the like.

Taking on pro Audio companies that have a massive, loyal user base would be a HUGE step for apple, so I doubt it'll be a control surface like the pic.

Hopefully it'll be multi-channel though, so it can be used with Reason/Traktor etc.

[Bashford @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

It's apple trying to invade the space currently occupied by Griffin and the like.

Taking on pro Audio companies that have a massive, loyal user base would be a HUGE step for apple, so I doubt it'll be a control surface like the pic.

Hopefully it'll be multi-channel though, so it can be used with Reason/Traktor etc.

[eric @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Could you people please learn how to read? They say right here: "There�s speculation that it will either be a basic Airport Express-style white box or a full-fledged transport control box." It's called a concept design, and none of us really know exactly what it's going to look like.

[Heiko @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

The famous german news site heise.de is speculating that there are no knobs or switches because everything can be done in software.

Makes sense to me, at least when I look at my Combo Drive ...

[encosion @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Heiko : Yeah, but the whole point of a 'control surface' is that you can do so much more with multiple knobs, surfaces and sliders than you can with one mouse . .. ...with one button! It's about time Apple got involved in this arena. However, I too, suspect they won't - they are in bed with M-Audio after all aren't they?

[Kapila Wimalaratne @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

There's one thing missing - another firewire port (or two), to replace the one that this device is going to take.

Kap

[Gustave @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

I like the artist rendering on AppleInsider:

http://images.appleinsider.com/images/product-asteroid.jpg

Source:
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=756

[motech @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

i love engadget and all, but check out
appleinsiders take on the situation - better details and pictures.
looks cool -
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=756

[Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Uhh, AppleInsider.com reported on this a while ago. It was there story and everyone seems to be ripping it off as there own. This is unfortunate because the appleinsider story has the most details and is also likely to be the most accurate. The story is over a week old check it out

http://appleinsider.com/article.php?id=756

[luxuryluke @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

It's unlikely from my perspective that this item will replace items from Gryffin's or Belkyn's product bins, since their hands have been held by Appel to produce items for the iPawd for some time. A move in that direction by Apfle would be in bad faith to their major iPohd pariphenalieyaaa affiliates... Right?

[sid @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Is that the pic. of the tiff file found?

[John Roe @ Oct 25th 2006 1:03AM]

It appears this was an utterly wishful-thinking rumor. Sad...