S/PDIF or FIREWIRE? G4 or G5?

tradershort · 30th November 2003, 07:10 PM

Anyone know which is "better"; more bandwidth, less latency, faster, etc.?

I currently use Firewire (MOTU 828....) into my G4 and I'm thinking of getting an Apogee Rosetta 800 to upgrade my converters/fidelity. I'm also thinking of upgrading to a G5, which I hear has a S/PDIF (Toslink Optical) in and out. Can I bypass a Firewire interface (Apogee hasn't made one yet...I'd have to run it thru my 828 for now) altogether w/a G5?! It seems it would be worth it to spare the expense of the Apogee FW card, when it comes out.

Note: The G5's Digital in/out is only 48k, max. I realize w/the Rosetta I wouldn't then be getting the 96k.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Damon

MCal · 2nd December 2003, 09:54 AM

Damon,
As far as bandwidth.. it's really not a good comparison.. SP/DIF is a stereo data stream so its always the same. Firewire is a much more versatile protocol which can handle many more streams at once.
I understand about wanting to use the superior convertoers of the Apogee but just using the SP/DIF on the G5 will be very limiting I think.... And thats without checking the Latency.
Doesn't the Rosetta 800 have an ADAT I/O? Or an option for one at least surely???
I personally would use the ADAT I/O on the MOTU to interface to the Rosetta, plus you also gain by having 16 Analogue I/O's this way

Al.

tradershort · 2nd December 2003, 02:15 PM

Al,
Thanks for explaining the S/PDIF/Firewire differences!

Yes, the Rosetta does have an ADAT/Toslink Optical out. I can use that into the MOTU, but would I still be getting the benefit of the Apogee's onverters in AND out? I think so bc the MOTU has the same ADAT/Tosllink in & out. I guess I could use the MOTU until the Apogee Firewire card comes out. The analog ins won't really be an advantage as I have a home studio and never record more than 2 trracks at a time.

Thanks again.

Damon

preben · 2nd December 2003, 02:29 PM

I have a friend that uses a Sonics AD/DA converter into a G5 dual and it works flawlessly... Latency as low as 64 samples. I'm on a 867 G4 with a MOTU 896 and would happily make a swop,

e

tradershort · 2nd December 2003, 02:49 PM

Preben,

Really? Is he going into the G5's S/PDIF in? Is he using the Toslink Optical in & out right to his Sonics? How many tracks can he run at a time? Again, bypassing a Firewire interface altogether is very interesting to me.

Thanks!

atticus · 2nd December 2003, 04:23 PM

In your position I'd get a Lynx L2C card or two. It will give you the converter upgrade and still give you the ability to have more digital ins and outs as well. Plus you can get G4's really cheap now, and they are very powerful machines. Check the refurb section of the Apple Store for good deals.

tradershort · 2nd December 2003, 04:36 PM

Atticus

Do you like the Lynx L2C card better than the Apogee Rosetta? Am I mixing apples & oranges here? I couldn't find Lynx' site to check it out. I googled it but nothing....

Thanks.

damo

PS: We just watched To Kill a Mockingbird on Sunday....

atticus · 2nd December 2003, 06:14 PM

That is such a great movie. Through my job I have access to some really great converters, but if I didn't have my Benchmark rack available I wouldn't feel at all bad about using the Lynx stuff. IT's really good and solves both the converter and interface problems at once. Plus all of the cards have digital I/O so you can hook up other converters if you want. I don't have any affiliation with Lynx at all, but I love being able to recommend little known companies as an alternative. Their website is:

www.lynxstudio.com.

tradershort · 2nd December 2003, 10:52 PM

Atticus,

Do you think the Lynx stuff is as good as Apogee?

Thanks.

Damon

preben · 3rd December 2003, 12:43 AM

Tradershot,

He is actually a she and she is using the toslink i/o. I don't know how many tracks yet as she is fairly new to the whole thing and hasn't in any way pushed her G5 to the limit yet. All I know is that it seems to work effortlessly at the level that she is at at the moment.

Sorry if I can't be of more help to you.

atticus · 3rd December 2003, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tradershort
Atticus,

Do you think the Lynx stuff is as good as Apogee?

Thanks.

Damon

Yes.

edmann · 20th December 2003, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by atticus
I Plus you can get G4's really cheap now, and they are very powerful machines.

I think actually G4s are rather expensive right now, at least compared with several months ago. MP's appear to be about 20% - 25% more expensive at this time than their previous lows. Rumor has it that perhaps G4s will again come down to more realistic prices after MacWorld SF in a few weeks.

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30th November 2003, 07:10 PM	#1
tradershort Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 86	S/PDIF or FIREWIRE? G4 or G5? Anyone know which is "better"; more bandwidth, less latency, faster, etc.? I currently use Firewire (MOTU 828....) into my G4 and I'm thinking of getting an Apogee Rosetta 800 to upgrade my converters/fidelity. I'm also thinking of upgrading to a G5, which I hear has a S/PDIF (Toslink Optical) in and out. Can I bypass a Firewire interface (Apogee hasn't made one yet...I'd have to run it thru my 828 for now) altogether w/a G5?! It seems it would be worth it to spare the expense of the Apogee FW card, when it comes out. Note: The G5's Digital in/out is only 48k, max. I realize w/the Rosetta I wouldn't then be getting the 96k. Any thoughts? Thanks. Damon

2nd December 2003, 09:54 AM	#2
MCal Mac Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: cheshire. UK Posts: 249	Damon, As far as bandwidth.. it's really not a good comparison.. SP/DIF is a stereo data stream so its always the same. Firewire is a much more versatile protocol which can handle many more streams at once. I understand about wanting to use the superior convertoers of the Apogee but just using the SP/DIF on the G5 will be very limiting I think.... And thats without checking the Latency. Doesn't the Rosetta 800 have an ADAT I/O? Or an option for one at least surely??? I personally would use the ADAT I/O on the MOTU to interface to the Rosetta, plus you also gain by having 16 Analogue I/O's this way Al. __________________ Hey, Hey!! It's a party... I want to party too... don't ask me about G4's tonight please!!!

2nd December 2003, 04:23 PM	#6
atticus Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,524	In your position I'd get a Lynx L2C card or two. It will give you the converter upgrade and still give you the ability to have more digital ins and outs as well. Plus you can get G4's really cheap now, and they are very powerful machines. Check the refurb section of the Apple Store for good deals. __________________ David Seymour Mytek Digital Analog Audio Works 330-354-1576 www.mytekdigital.com http://analogaudioworks.com/

2nd December 2003, 06:14 PM	#8
atticus Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,524	That is such a great movie. Through my job I have access to some really great converters, but if I didn't have my Benchmark rack available I wouldn't feel at all bad about using the Lynx stuff. IT's really good and solves both the converter and interface problems at once. Plus all of the cards have digital I/O so you can hook up other converters if you want. I don't have any affiliation with Lynx at all, but I love being able to recommend little known companies as an alternative. Their website is: www.lynxstudio.com. __________________ David Seymour Mytek Digital Analog Audio Works 330-354-1576 www.mytekdigital.com http://analogaudioworks.com/

2nd December 2003, 02:15 PM	#3
tradershort Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 86	Al, Thanks for explaining the S/PDIF/Firewire differences! Yes, the Rosetta does have an ADAT/Toslink Optical out. I can use that into the MOTU, but would I still be getting the benefit of the Apogee's onverters in AND out? I think so bc the MOTU has the same ADAT/Tosllink in & out. I guess I could use the MOTU until the Apogee Firewire card comes out. The analog ins won't really be an advantage as I have a home studio and never record more than 2 trracks at a time. Thanks again. Damon

2nd December 2003, 02:29 PM	#4
preben Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 802	I have a friend that uses a Sonics AD/DA converter into a G5 dual and it works flawlessly... Latency as low as 64 samples. I'm on a 867 G4 with a MOTU 896 and would happily make a swop, e

2nd December 2003, 02:49 PM	#5
tradershort Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 86	Preben, Really? Is he going into the G5's S/PDIF in? Is he using the Toslink Optical in & out right to his Sonics? How many tracks can he run at a time? Again, bypassing a Firewire interface altogether is very interesting to me. Thanks!

2nd December 2003, 04:36 PM	#7
tradershort Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 86	Atticus Do you like the Lynx L2C card better than the Apogee Rosetta? Am I mixing apples & oranges here? I couldn't find Lynx' site to check it out. I googled it but nothing.... Thanks. damo PS: We just watched To Kill a Mockingbird on Sunday....

2nd December 2003, 10:52 PM	#9
tradershort Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 86	Atticus, Do you think the Lynx stuff is as good as Apogee? Thanks. Damon

3rd December 2003, 12:43 AM	#10
preben Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 802	Tradershot, He is actually a she and she is using the toslink i/o. I don't know how many tracks yet as she is fairly new to the whole thing and hasn't in any way pushed her G5 to the limit yet. All I know is that it seems to work effortlessly at the level that she is at at the moment. Sorry if I can't be of more help to you.

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