Originally Posted by Chunky But Funky

Well, I've always done the math as 5 meg /sec for mono files & 10 meg/sec for stereo files. Using that rationale, You should be able to transfer 40 stereo files or 80 mono Wav files over FW 400. These numbers would theoretically double with FW 800. USB 2.0 has 480 meg/sec transfer rate therefore USB should theoretically handle 48 stereo tracks and 96 mono Wav files. As was already mentioned, it depends on several other factors. Daisy chained HD, record vs. playback tracks and others. Feel free to fire away if I'm way off base here!

Doug

Originally Posted by Janesaid2me

Ive used and audiofire12 with no issues at all...recording obviously 12 tracks at a time....and running over 40 back at a time...so im sure youll be fine unless your looking to run like 100+ tracks...lol

Originally Posted by CAW

When I do the math on bandwidth per track, I come out with numbers that are nowhere near as bad as the vendors of Firewire audio devices make the world out to be. I honestly think the "must dedicate the Firewire bus to our device" stuff they spout has more to do with their product not playing well on the bus with other devices present than it does because of actual bandwidth.

Let's assume worst case, 32bit floats (a few audio interfaces now support this, even if their AD/DA stages are still only 24bit). Since Firewire bandwidth is rated in bits, we don't need to worry about converting that to bytes. So, at a 44.1k sample rate: 32 * 44100 = 1,411,200 bits per second 400,000,000 / 1,411,200 = 283 and change Now, one will never actually get a full 400mbit. There is always some protocol overhead.

Let's say FW400 is actually only 75% efficient (which I believe to be extremely conservative). 300,000,000 / 1,411,200 = 212 and change So in a worst-case scenario of 32bit channels (which very few people are using, most will have 16bit or 24bit interfaces), you can theoretically get over 200 44.1k channels on one FW400 bus operating at 75% max efficiency. I've yet to see anyone with an interface that has anywhere near that many channels; such a device would be many U of rackspace to physically fit all the analog jacks (or be nothing but a bunch of ADAT in/out ports).

Even the Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 (which I own) is only 56 channels max -- 28 in by 28 out when operating at 44.1k. The Liquid Mix is a max of 64 channels (32 sends by 32 returns). And I suspect the various Firewire-based DSP systems will run out of DSP before they run out of Firewire channel bandwidth. For higher bitrates: 96k = 97 32bit channels at 75% max efficiency 192k = 48 32bit channels at 75% max efficiency But most audio interfaces drop the number of channels they have as the bitrate goes up. For example, at 192k, the Liquid Mix only supports 8 channels (assuming you've got the DSP expansion card in it). So it is still using the same amount of Firewire bandwidth.

Originally Posted by djryry

I know this is 5 years later, and technology has progressed significantly since this post, however, this info was exactly what I was looking for and still relevant, I think, for digital audio concepts. I'm looking at using two LS56's and an 828mkii, but my application is really more for summing. I don't need a whole bunch of inputs [maybe 12 or 16 simultaneous at the most], but I do need as many outputs as I can get as the console I'm using for summing facilitates 48 channels. So the dream is to daisychain the LS56's and then run the 828 directly to the firewire buss. Hopefully I can get a solid 30 channels out and running stable. Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by BIG BUDDHA

hello. i run 48 discrete audio outputs via firewire to my motu 2408s, then into my 2 Alesis hd24 hard disk recorders. so when mixing i basically run 48 tracks into my analog console. its a DDA amr 24 and has 56 channels on mix down. hope that helps. buddha

Originally Posted by MediaGary

I had three LS56 interfaces concurrently, but the device drivers written for them by Focusrite only allow *one* LS56 to be connected to the computer via the firewire at a time.

The best you can do is attach one LS56 to the computer via firewire, and add a Saffire PRO 40 which is supported to work concurrently via firewire with the LS56. If you add your ADAT-connected LS56 for a few more channels, and a couple more ADAT devices, it think you'll make your I/O count objective.

Originally Posted by BIG BUDDHA

hello. i run 48 discrete audio outputs via firewire to my motu 2408s, then into my 2 Alesis hd24 hard disk recorders. so when mixing i basically run 48 tracks into my analog console. its a DDA amr 24 and has 56 channels on mix down. hope that helps. buddha

Originally Posted by djryry

I know this is 5 years later, and technology has progressed significantly since this post, however, this info was exactly what I was looking for and still relevant, I think, for digital audio concepts. I'm looking at using two LS56's and an 828mkii, but my application is really more for summing. I don't need a whole bunch of inputs [maybe 12 or 16 simultaneous at the most], but I do need as many outputs as I can get as the console I'm using for summing facilitates 48 channels. So the dream is to daisychain the LS56's and then run the 828 directly to the firewire buss. Hopefully I can get a solid 30 channels out and running stable. Thanks guys!