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UER Forum > Private Boards Index > A/V Club > Firewire/usb audio interfaces (Viewed 3164 times)
mewthree 


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Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< on 11/12/2008 8:26 AM >
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So which do you find better and why? USB 2.0 or Firewire 1394, Which brands, who has the best AD/DA converters for the price... sound... latency... versatility... etc.

I have been looking at ones such as m-audio (though I am not convinced they are that great), Presonus (though I know nothing of this company/brand) etc...

I need something with 8 line level inputs, which will satisfy my needs if I ever wind up owning an 8 bus mixer or something of that nature.

What do you all have experience using?




RailGuy88 

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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 1 on 11/12/2008 10:46 PM >
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I have done extensive research on the data transfers between USB (1.1 or 2.0) and Firewire (1394). I have found that Fireware has a better, higher, and faster transfer rate than USB. It's fully reliable, and no drivers are needed (like some USB products).

USB data takes roughly 4-5 minutes for every 1 GB of data. FW takes only 1 minute or less for every 1 GB of data.

You can do your own research by searching on Google for "USB vs Firewire". Good luck!




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mewthree 


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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 2 on 11/13/2008 2:10 AM >
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Well is firewire still at 400 megs? I thought usb2 was higher by a bit.

The thing that I thought was attractive about most firewire based interfaces is the possibility to daisy chain them.

I heard that firewire based interfaces were also desirable because of how the port is connected... it has more of a dedicated chip or something along those ligns.




RailGuy88 

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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 3 on 11/13/2008 8:17 AM >
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Not sure about the size of data transfer, but FW is faster from what I found out.

As for linking or daisy-chaining, FW can have unlimited interfaces or peripherals connected to each other vs USB, which is limited to only a couple per CPU hub or port.




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seany 


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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 4 on 11/14/2008 9:48 PM >
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for your application the more important aspect of the FW vs USB debate is the way devices pass signals back and forth to eachother. There are a few good articles around if you search on this topic.

FW for the most part seems to be going to way of the dodo in main stream applications even though it's better for some applications.

It will be around for a long time though as it's used in a bunch of military equipment (control systems mainly).




mewthree 


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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 5 on 11/14/2008 10:08 PM >
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my guess was that FW got popular in music apps because of apple and the ipods...




seany 


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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 6 on 11/14/2008 11:14 PM >
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well, in the USB1 vs FW400 days it was kind of a no brainier for any kind of high bandwidth application to use FW. Apple being heavily behind the spec initially had alot to with their push in the to the AV (mostly video) space early on.

Though after USB two came around the bandwidth war kind of ended, even between USB2 and FW800... yes FW800 is faster, but their both faster in most scenarios, and USB has enough perks as far as usability and market penetration that it kind of took hold.

The exception to that being applications that want FW for more technical reasons that aren't really bandwidth limited (audio stuff). the concept of a push pull bus, as opposed to a purely poll based buss, which has connotations to latency etc.

Though even FW lets down though with truly tough requirements, which is why you don't see to much high end AV equipment with FW connections. they've moved to HD-SDI for video, and pci(32,64,x,e) for raw audio multi-track capture




RailGuy88 

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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 7 on 11/15/2008 4:46 AM >
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Yeah, seany is correct on that. It really depends on the use of the data transfer.

I guess I was supporting the FW in respects to it being used for audio equipment. I also prefer it for my external HD's as it seems to work better.

But do the research. Everyone has their own prefs. ... and you know mine.




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MrMusik 


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I prefer USB.
< Reply # 8 on 11/15/2008 5:39 AM >
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Firewire-400 (1394a) = 400 Mb/Sec
Firewire-800 (1394b) = 800 Mb/Sec
USB 1.0 Low Speed = >2 Mb/Sec
USB 2.0 Full Speed = 12 Mb/Sec
USB 2.0 High Speed = 480 Mb/Sec

It's nearly a wash and it depends on what and how it is implemented on your computer. If you have a firewire port and a USB 1.1, clearly the firewire will be much faster. However, if you have native support of USB 2.0 it will most likely be a wash. I haven't seen too many audio products sporting Firewire 800.

I am a fan of the M-Audio products. I've been using a MobilePre USB for several years and it has always worked very well for me. I just put in an order for two of the Fast Track Ultra 8R units and am looking forward to many years of service from them.

Presonus products should be pretty good, but I've never used their audio interfaces. I have one of their ACP-22 compressor/gate units and I like it a lot. I have also used the ACP-8 and ACP-88 with mixed reviews.

I would highly recommend going to one of the big music stores and having a look and listen to one for yourself. They should be happy to help you get it set up so you can actually use it. Regardless if you buy it from them or not. There are much better ways to buy those things than from music stores.




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mewthree 


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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 9 on 11/15/2008 10:19 PM >
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agreed, I like craigslist for example, depending on what I am buying. I have an m-audio axiom 49 which is great, however I also have a fast track which is okay... not really professional.

I have been told to get a layla 20 interface, but it doesn't support vista so that is out.I missed out on an bid for a mackie firewire, which sucks.. I could have had it for a couple of dollars.




colinski 


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Re: Firewire/usb audio interfaces
< Reply # 10 on 11/25/2008 2:10 PM >
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I have used Presonus - they have great preamps and the cost is very low for what you get.

I use the Presonus 1394 for voiceover. The FireStudio 8 input unit is only $699, or you can get the 2 input units and daisy chain them together as needed.

They're all Firewire, IIRC. Never had any speed problems, but I prefer Firewire.




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UER Forum > Private Boards Index > A/V Club > Firewire/usb audio interfaces (Viewed 3164 times)


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