F/W or USB 2.0 Interface?

[rodreb]

I am currently using an older PCI interface (Aardvark Q-10 Pro) on a Dell WS-380 computer and am thinking of upgrading. My computer has USB 2.0 but no Firewire.

I know it's easy to just add a Firewire card and, that's what I have been thinking of doing and going to a new Firewire interface.

My question is...... would I be better off to just get a USB 2.0 interface.

Is one better or worse than the other as far as Firewire or USB 2.0?

I am running my Tascam US 2400 cotrol surface on USB and don't really know if adding a USB interface might "mess" with the US 2400 connection.

Also, the selection of USB interfaces seems to be pretty slim compared to Firewire interfaces. Any suggestions?

[Ladia - Audeum]

Hi rodrreb !

It really depends on how many tracks you're going to be recording at the same time and of course your budget.
If you are going to be recording only a couple of tracks at the same time, there is pretty much no difference in USB vs Firewire.
The selection seems to be wider in the FW class but you can find a good sounding USB device for a very little money.
You can install a FW card with TI (Texas Instruments) chipset and use that in case you need stable FW connection.

Can you give me a little more details on what audio project you are working on and your budget ?

[Whitecat]

Sustained transfer rates aside, one of the big advantages of firewire is that it doesn't eat any CPU, it has its own chip to do all the work. USB relies on the host CPU, so it will consume a bit of your available processing power.

[rodreb]

I will be typically be recording between 8 and 12 tracks simultaniously with a maximum of 16.

Budget..... as low as possible ...... $700 to around $1000.

[rodreb]

Ah! I had forgotten about that little fact. I'd rather not sacrifice any CPU if possible. So..... it looks like Firewire, eh?

I had also thought about going PCI or PCIe but there are very few interfaces out there and they all seem to be pretty old tech. I must have more than 8 inputs this time around. 10 or 12 would do fine, 16 would be more than enough.

[dan p]

Firewire all the way.USB wont handle track counts and plugs as they grow.Most likely you'll need more power down the road,that'sjust how this craft works Ay!


dan P

[jcschild]

not to mention low latency is btter on firewire (assuming a quality interface)

RME
Motu
Echo

for firewire if low lantecy is required
i would also add M-Audio sorta..

Scott
ADK

[rodreb]

Thanks Everyone!

I've been thinking about the MOTU 828 mkIII which would give me 10 analog in's to start with and later add like a MOTU 8-Pre or Presonus Digimax FS for more In's.

The new Presonus Firestudio Tube would be ideal since it has 16 analog in's but, I can't seem to get any feedback anywhere on how it sounds or if it works well with SONAR, which is my DAW of choice.

Any advice on either of these interfaces? I know I would have to get a firewire card with a TI chip but, they're pretty cheap.

Thanks again.

[Ladia - Audeum]

Hi Rodreb !

The new Firestudio has a new set of improved PREs that sound IMHO pretty darn good.
I personally installed Firestudio and Digi 003 and rewired a track into it, level matched and monitored the playback on headphones. Nothing crazy.
The results were really good on both ends but I like the Firestudio better. Slightly more vivid sound. I was impressed with the quality and SNR.The Converters and PREs on Digi 003 aren't that great to begin with. And the price difference... UGH..
Just my personal opinion and test. I'm not any interface guru, just working with them mostly. For recording I do not own any of these units. I use SSL, mixpander and Mackie, with Great River Pres, Chameleon Labs, Safe Sound Audio DT and so on...

[jcschild]

Originally Posted by rodreb

Thanks Everyone!

I've been thinking about the MOTU 828 mkIII which would give me 10 analog in's to start with and later add like a MOTU 8-Pre or Presonus Digimax FS for more In's.

The new Presonus Firestudio Tube would be ideal since it has 16 analog in's but, I can't seem to get any feedback anywhere on how it sounds or if it works well with SONAR, which is my DAW of choice.

Any advice on either of these interfaces? I know I would have to get a firewire card with a TI chip but, they're pretty cheap.

Thanks again.

Presonus has issues with Sonar... go check the sonar forums...

also not known for low latency, the Motu is a far better choice.

the mic pres are good on it but...

[dan p]

i have pci-e card in my macpro 2.8ghz and run 2408mkiii and 24i/o.I do run ivory off the fire wire bus via external 120 gig drive that holds the ivory library on it with 0 problems.Good Luck ay!



Dan P

[garysjo]

Ran across this thread and I'm hoping some of you guys can help me out of the dark ages. I'm still running a 2.4Ghz P4 with Cubase SX3 fed by a DA-7. Use it at my home place and lug it out to remotes, mostly classical, some band work. My back's getting a bit beat!

Three UAD-1's in the PC running XP and it's rock solid. Doing mixes in excess of 40 tracks and not having any problems. However, I want to downsize/upgrade, especially for the remote gigs. So....been looking at the TC konnekt 48 and of course the Prism Orpheous, different price ranges yes. Looking for good sound though...the DA-7's while old by today's standards sound quite good. Would love to go a FF route. my current rig will record 24 channels for a few hours straight no problem. (RME Hammerfall) Can I get a reliable 24 tracks with FF interfaces and a laptop. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Gary

[rodreb]

Anyone using the MOTU 828 mkIII? How does it sound? Mainly the converters as I won't be using the pres that much but would be nice to know how they sound, also.

[rodreb]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone might care to comment on the MOTU 828 mkIII

[azwun25]

If you're doing multiple tracks simultaneous like you said and need an external interface I would go firewire for sure. Something like a Fireface, MOTU 828mkIII etc. However, my format of choice is PCIe or PCI. In my experience they are much more stable and lower latency. Maybe a RME AES card and Multiface?

[s12512]

FW all the way!!

[garysjo]

OK, FW is the way. I've played with and heard the RMWE converters and do not care for them. Any opiions on the TC Konnect 48 or the Prism unit?

[dan p]

Its my guess that the motu 828mkiii and the 2408mkiii have the same internal convertor's.One is firewire and the other pci-e.As for performance once your track counts and vi's grow that pci-e is gonna handle the work flow better but i'm guesstimating?!



Dan P