Also, according to most people this is a power issue. Are you using a FW400-800 hard adapter or a cable for the Duet?

I had the same problem when using Duet alongside a FW800 harddrive. I know of several other cases where people using an early 2008 model MBP had the same issue when using both FW ports at the same time. Changing any settings in OS X Audio Midi Setup, like the kHz format or bitrate will instantly resolve the issue, but it is still really annoying. According to some people this issue was caused by inadequate FW in the MBP unable to handle both ports at the same time. However, you said you have the new model, with just a single FW 800 - sorry to hear the problem is still present even when using FW alongside eSata. 

Well normally I would have suggested something along the lines of CME or Fatar aswell, but the original post did specifically ask for something with no extra faders and pads and screens, hence my reference to the keystation. As for response, their models range from pretty bad to quite decent, so I wouldn't exactly label them all unsuitable for any work at all. You'd need to try it out for yourself just to be sure the model in question fits your needs. Mihkel

Sounds very nice indeed, the only comment I would have is that the saxophones have a bit too much reverb for my taste, but I quess that's a matter of taste, really. Keep up the good work. Mihkel

I find that this is very much a personal issue. I wouldn't have a problem scoring a film like this, but I can absolutely understand people who would be in doubt. For me, the only real issue that puts me off is not having any artistic freedom, which also seems to be something you're concerned about. If a project offers you a chance for artistic development, I would take it more or less without question (of course in our finance driven society, as superficial as it might be, money is always a factor in most projects). So if the director is a reasonable person with sufficient insight into music and understands your goal to further yourself as an artist rather than simply being a somewhat skilled work-for-hire, I would set aside your moral objections to the film - the shock factor might drive you to lengths that might completely surprise you and open up a whole new facet to your technique you might otherwise miss out on. Hope this helps. Mihkel.

How about M-audio Keystation 88es? When I tried it a while back I quite liked the feel of its keys, but some people aren't too fond of it.
Matter of preference really.

Mihkel

You could split the hairpin. Although probably not the best solution it's the best I can come up with at the moment.

This is something I have been thinking about for quite some time. However, what I've come to realise during testing several possible configurations is that adequate positioning of instruments (have tested it with panning, several plug-ins and position placement within dry reverb) is more important to overall sound integrity than the method of applying reverb.

In theory the advantages are somewhat more apparent, but in practice I've not yet found audible results that would convince me to sacrifice processing power to achieve better quality material.