Fireface/laptop setup - external HDD FW or USB2.0?

[PinkHumpy]

Hi all,
I just got a new laptop - dell 700m. I'll be doing some remote recording, so I want to synch my external hdd w/ all the audio files on my internal desktop HDD. I'm looking at buying the RME Fireface, the Motu Traveler, or Echo Audiofire to use with the dell's firewire port.

I've read some posts here saying not to run the external drive on the same firewire port as the audio interface. My question is - how would running a usb 2.0 (high speed) external enclosure for audio files work? I'll be recording up to 8 tracks at once, 24/44.1. I'd rather not have to buy another enclosure and pcmcia to FW card. (I think the dell has a 60gb 4200rpm drive, so it's probably too slow). Any issues with particular ide/usb chipsets on enclosures?

Thanks!
Brendan

[sleepwalker]

I don't think you'll have any problems recording 8 tracks at once. In fact, you can do that on the laptop's internal HD without a problem. Now, recording 24 tracks while playing back another 24, yeah. That's going to be an issue if you don't have an intelligent drive setup.

Originally Posted by PinkHumpy

Hi all,
I just got a new laptop - dell 700m. I'll be doing some remote recording, so I want to synch my external hdd w/ all the audio files on my internal desktop HDD. I'm looking at buying the RME Fireface, the Motu Traveler, or Echo Audiofire to use with the dell's firewire port.

I've read some posts here saying not to run the external drive on the same firewire port as the audio interface. My question is - how would running a usb 2.0 (high speed) external enclosure for audio files work? I'll be recording up to 8 tracks at once, 24/44.1. I'd rather not have to buy another enclosure and pcmcia to FW card. (I think the dell has a 60gb 4200rpm drive, so it's probably too slow). Any issues with particular ide/usb chipsets on enclosures?

Thanks!
Brendan

[Slogun]

USB2 will work as well. At least it works in my remote recording setup with MOTU 896 interface. I've recorded 12 channels at 48kHz/16bit without stressing the performance of either computer nor USB2 HDD.