Manfred-Klose
With an audio interface, which one do you prefer?
Is Firewire more stable than USB?
AlanRatcliffe
They each have their pros and cons and all things considered, neither is "better" for audio interfaces. USB has tended to become more of the standard as more peripherals such as printers scanners, mice and keyboards use them. So virtually every computer has a few USB ports, while relatively few have FireWire (which is probably why Bothner's now have a special on FireWire interfaces).
sepheritoh
Alan thanks for your opinion. I am also thinking about choosing between the 2 options. I am not yet in the market (I decided to wait until Vista is stable enough and then want to move directly to 64 bit), but I am looking at the options.
One bother about USB I have is that so many devices using it may all fight for the same bandwidth and may cause dropouts or glitches when recording. On the other hand I have read so much on the Cakewalk forum about driver problems with firewire. It seems like one must be very particular to get the T1 chipset for audio work, Problem is that none of the suppliers I've asked about it has any idea what I am talking about - nor do I and this usually ends in a stalemate.
The firewire mixer / audio interface combinations looks really good, meaning I can get rid of my Eurorack mixers.
Riaan
I was quite enthusiastic about the Presonus interfaces - though in all honesty as cool as they seem, it's overkill for my present needs, probably beyond my level of skill and knowledge and out of my budget ... anyway with regards to hardware incompatibility, the following is listed as incompatible hardware -it may be that this applies to many other firewire audio interfaces:
ATI RADEON 9000/9001 IGP video chipset. Symptoms are consistent click and pops during audio playback. This video chipset is only found in PC laptops and is entirely integrated as the computer’s only video controller. We strongly recommend that you do not get a system with this chipset, as there is currently no workaround for this incompatibility.
USB/firewire and s400/s800 combo cards are not compatible. Symptoms are usually no audio recording/playback but device will install and sync, erratic audio performance and rarely will not allow the device to install or sync. We recommend a firewire card that ONLY has s400 firewire connections and preferably with a Texas Instruments or VIA chipset.
Firewire cards with NEC chipsets are not compatible. Symptoms are similar or the same as combo cards.
Motherboards with nForce4 chipsets. Symptoms include reduced to very poor performance especially if using the onboard firewire connection. A PCIe (not PCI) FW400 only card with a Texas Instruments chipset is a known workaround, but may not allow full performance.
SoundBlaster Audigy cards. Symprtoms include pops and clicks and loss of sync. If your PC has one of these cards installed, it is recommended to uninstall it before installing a PreSonus interface.
I tried to research this a bit, to get an idea of which brand name Firewire card to go for - no luck really.
Riaan
...this may be useful though, a list of motherboards with the TI firewire chipset:
http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=227883
Manfred-Klose
Wow that is to much info for me.
I can understand that the USB bandwith gets used up, it happened to me.
Anyone else want add something about firewire audio interfaces with personal experience?
Pros and cons.
cain
Back in the days of USB1 firewire was preferred for doing recording because it was much faster. With USB2 these days, its not such a big thing as far as i understand, i think USB2 is actually faster ...
AlanRatcliffe
That's how I understand it, although USB has more overhead or something.
Heath
An old post i know , but thought i would clear this up ..
Speed wise there is no difference between Firewire and USB , Firewire uses less of the CPU then USB , so if you have a usb keyboard mouse webcam and soundcard all rammed in and recording and mixing your quality will have a problem , the same with bad driver on one of the USB devices on a hub this will also contribute to poor sound quality as there will be alot of collisions on the HUB . That been said FIREWIRE does not have this problem , but compatiblity has ALWAYS been a problem , hence it been phased out . But if you have a decent firewire port on your machine and can find a decent audio card that supports it , rather go with the firewire (less overhead leaving plenty of room for the 12000000 vst plugins most people use)
FenderBender
Manfred-Klose
Thanks talion and greame!!!!
IF think i would go the firewire route.
FenderBender
Manfred Klose wrote
IF think i would go the firewire route.
I tend to agree, although do your homework regarding compatibility between the device and your motherboard, DAW, OS and other hardware on the PC's bus first ?
sepheritoh
It as interesting to note that most audio companies are dumping firewire now. Roland / Cakewalk is the latest in this trend witht the V-700 Studio. I suppose with the latest quad core computers the extra CPU overhead for Usb is not an issue anymore.
AlanRatcliffe
I think it's quite likely that they decided to go with USB more because although it isn't as fast as Firewire it's a less troublesome format. Less time spent beta-testing and less time with support. Also more computers with USB means a larger potential market.
Manfred-Klose
that true, but seems like if you want to go USB, you need to upgrade your PC, if your running a few USB stuff at the same time.
bitesize
Riaan, maybe you can help me here, I must check my comp but maybe the following is why I have my problem:
ATI RADEON 9000/9001 IGP video chipset. Symptoms are consistent click and pops during audio playback. This video chipset is only found in PC laptops and is entirely integrated as the computer’s only video controller. We strongly recommend that you do not get a system with this chipset, as there is currently no workaround for this incompatibility.
I have a laptop, and ACID. I'm not a pro, don't have large amounts of equipment and my knowledge is so non-existent.
What I want to do: I have a piezo contact mic and want to record directly to my computer but it comes out scratchy, barely audible. I was told that I need a boost for the mic, is this true and how do I do it? What is the most economical way to record to my computer. I have another idea and will test it out soon, but it's rather roundabout.
Any one with some advice is welcome ?.
bitesize
hi again
i've tried to find the video chipset but all i find is the video controller, yes i'm a dunce if this is the same thing.
my video capture device is called Legacy. does this mean anything i.e. good bad etc.
thanks
Manfred-Klose
What is the most economical way to record to my computer.
Here is a few:
1. Get a small mixer, and maby a mic, you wont get that harsh piezo sound if you use a mic, and go straight to line in
2. Get an external USB soundcard, that has built in pre amps and DI.
what is your budget?
I would recommend the external soundcard.
deanBailey
I had this disscusion a few days ago with a friend of mine.
I could be wrong, but I was always under the impression that USB mixers can only record two tracks simultaneously?
Manfred-Klose
I could be wrong, but I was always under the impression that USB mixers can only record two tracks simultaneously?
Depends on what you are buying?
If i set mine up correcly i could get 4 multitrack channels, but rarely need more than 2 since it is for a project studio.
