dgatwood
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No, this has nothing to do with non-TI chips. MacBook Pro machines have never used non-TI chips, and most of the reports were from MacBook Pro machines.
No, this has nothing to do with non-TI chips. MacBook Pro machines have never used non-TI chips, and most of the reports were from MacBook Pro machines.
dgatwood
is out. Leave a message.
If memory serves, the addition of short circuit protection hardware was made in the last model of G4 PowerBook, and in some refurbished motherboards for the model before it, but I could be slightly off in that recollection. It took Presonus a long time to even acknowledge that their devices had a problem. If you've ever dealt with their tech support, you'd know that this is the norm, not the exception. They still don't acknowledge the widespread problems with DICE II-based hardware (including several devices that they build), nor the FireWire port death problems that several folks on this board have experienced with the FIREPOD, nor....
And you will notice that one of the links I provided in a previous post was a tech support document from Presonus that acknowledged the problem.... I'm not making this up....
Okay, here's a support discussion specific to the MacBook Pro:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6823476
dgatwood
is out. Leave a message.
In my experience, USB interfaces tend to be much less reliable than FireWire because they depend on the CPU being able to rapidly respond to interrupts to copy large chunks of isochronous data into memory before the buffer overruns (which cause pops, crackles, etc.). FireWire, by contrast, does the most time-critical part of the heavy lifting in the host silicon itself, leaving the CPU free to do other things. FireWire cards are more expensive than USB cards because they basically have a small CPU on them....
USB-based recording interfaces can be usable for a small number of channels (4 inputs or fewer), but it depends on how the interrupts are shared on your motherboard. Folks sometimes find that they have to buy a separate USB card to make USB audio interfaces work correctly, at which point you might as well buy a FireWire card.
My advice would be this: if you buy a USB interface, just buy it from someone with a good return policy. It will either work out of the box with little effort or it will be a constant pain in the backside. If it doesn't work perfectly within ten minutes of opening the box, send it back and buy something FireWire-based. You'll be a lot happier.
Also, I would caution that the sound quality from USB interfaces tends to be poorer than that of FireWire interfaces, though there are exceptions (e.g. Edirol gets good marks in this regard from several people whose opinions I trust). For the most part, when companies build USB interfaces, it is a corner-cutting move because it is cheaper than FireWire. If they are severely cutting corners on the interface, you can generally assume they are cutting corners in the analog path as well. Just a word of warning. I've heard some pretty bad sounding USB interfaces over the years.
Finally, I would add that USB 2.0 fixes a few pretty serious flaws in the original USB audio spec. You're a bit better of with 2.0 interfaces than 1.x (though nowhere near as robust as FireWire). Some USB 1.x devices really sucked hard.
Caveat emptor, however: some early USB 2.0 audio interfaces used the USB 2.0 bus, but with an old-style USB 1.1 audio descriptor. These devices should be avoided at all costs because they aren't fully compatible with... well, anything. Don't ask me for model numbers, though; I got that tidbit from one of Apple's USB audio driver engineers; I haven't encountered those personally. Anything you buy new today should probably be fine in that regard.
KineticSound
The VOICE
I must be thinking of a different issue, then. Sorry to insert any confusion; but there is another "supposed" compatability issue between non-TI chipsets and some 6-pin FW interfaces. My post was only intended to clarify that whatever that issue is, it's not universal - because it hasn't reared its head in my rig.
I'm with you here. I use FW myself and could never see using a usb-based interface for my applications. However, this user's needs are different from yours and mine. He wants to record a mono signal one track at a time and do the rest in the box. I don't disagree with anything in your post; I'm just trying to keep the original question in perspective.
He can spend a little on a usb interface box to get the audio in the computer and then deal with it there, or spend quite a bit more on a FW card and (to your point) better-sounding FW interface. I just saw the second option as a little overkill for a hobbyist wanting to lay down some guitar tracks.
G
guitarevan07
New member
Thanks so much guys! I guess I will just go with a USB interface then. I do want high quality. I want something considerably higher quality than plugging the mic directly in to my computer's mic slot.
dtagwood, I saw you said The Edirol units were good. I was looking at the UA-25ex and that was going to be my #1 choice but Is I saw that it wasn't USB 2.0 which I really would like.
One last question(maybe).
Is the Native intruments Audio Kontrol 1 a nube machine or does it really perform great?
Basically deciding between two units, The Audio Kontrol 1 or the Edirol UA-25EX(non usb 2.0)?
Think these are good choices?
Links to both:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...00880&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=262429402
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...OL-1-USB-2.0-Audio-MIDI-Interface-?sku=240306
Which one?
Thanks sooooooo much cant even tell you how much.
Which one?
dtagwood, I saw you said The Edirol units were good. I was looking at the UA-25ex and that was going to be my #1 choice but Is I saw that it wasn't USB 2.0 which I really would like.
One last question(maybe).
Is the Native intruments Audio Kontrol 1 a nube machine or does it really perform great?
Basically deciding between two units, The Audio Kontrol 1 or the Edirol UA-25EX(non usb 2.0)?
Think these are good choices?
Links to both:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...00880&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=262429402
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...OL-1-USB-2.0-Audio-MIDI-Interface-?sku=240306
Which one?
Thanks sooooooo much cant even tell you how much.
Which one?
dgatwood
is out. Leave a message.
Totally unrelated issue. While the symptom (failure to iterate the device) was the same, the root cause was completely different. In the Agere case, the bug was a bug in the RME firmware for their custom silicon. They quietly fixed that bug after a few weeks.
dgatwood
is out. Leave a message.
My gut says to be wary of hardware from a company traditionally known as a software manufacturer. Just a gut feeling.
It also only has one preamp. You really should get something with least two preamps. With the exception of vocals, you're more likely to record with two mics than one on most sources.
B
blazingstrings
dgatwood can **** himself
Settle down dgatwood.
That is odd, You will have to excuse my cynicism as that as you may know a lot of folks here on HR can be a bit biased against products when there is no just reason.
That's weird though, Know one I know has ever had that issue or any others with it for that matter. Odd.....
I will stand up for their tech support though(someone said they were notoriously slow), They never hesitated getting back to me.
B
blazingstrings
dgatwood can **** himself
I'm gonna stick my neck out and recommend a couple of *GULP* M-Audio USB interfaces. Both USB 1.1.
I have and occasionally use a M-Audio Mobile Pre USB($130 to $150 depending on where you buy) and Love the hell out of it. Several of my friends who are PC users have and love it as well.
Down side is it only records at 16bit/44.1khz, If that matters at all to you guitarevan07.
And my best friend uses a Fast Track Pro($200) and is in love with it as well.
It offers analog and digital I/O and up to 24/96khz quality along with Pre's and insert points.
I'm a fan of both and think they are both great sounding interfaces.
I'm sure dgatwood will disagree.
I have and occasionally use a M-Audio Mobile Pre USB($130 to $150 depending on where you buy) and Love the hell out of it. Several of my friends who are PC users have and love it as well.
Down side is it only records at 16bit/44.1khz, If that matters at all to you guitarevan07.
And my best friend uses a Fast Track Pro($200) and is in love with it as well.
It offers analog and digital I/O and up to 24/96khz quality along with Pre's and insert points.
I'm a fan of both and think they are both great sounding interfaces.
I'm sure dgatwood will disagree.
KineticSound
The VOICE
I will second dgatwood's caution on the Audio Kontrol - between these two units, the Edirol would be my choice.
blazingstrings' suggestion of the M-Audio Mobile Pre-USB is also a very good unit, from what I hear.
dgatwood
is out. Leave a message.
The only problem I'm aware of with the Mobile Pre is that the phantom power voltage is reported to be only about 30V instead of 48V. While some condenser mics will work fine, others won't work well (if at all).
G
guitarevan07
New member
Thanks guys. Yeah the edirol is probably what im going to go with. Idk about m-aduio. heard too many bad things about it. Thanks guys!
Also, yeah I will be running a SM57(dynamic) so I do need a decent preamp built in
Also, yeah I will be running a SM57(dynamic) so I do need a decent preamp built in
B
blazingstrings
dgatwood can **** himself
Good Choice! Edirol's are nice. I use to manage a guitar shop were we sold various interfaces(M-Audio, RME, Creamware, Edirol to name a few).
I always liked the fact that Edirol thought enough to make their interfaces out of metal and made them rugged. Considering the portability factor that is important.
Supposedly they changed the 30volt issue(Around the same time they fixed the same issue in the Micro Track II), in the Mobile pre's. But it is a surprisingly robust interface for the money.
Most times people put a pre in front of the interface(Some here like the ART Tube MP. Not bad for the money but I like others better I have a buddy that swears by the Electro Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp).
More things to address in the future I gather?
I always liked the fact that Edirol thought enough to make their interfaces out of metal and made them rugged. Considering the portability factor that is important.
Supposedly they changed the 30volt issue(Around the same time they fixed the same issue in the Micro Track II), in the Mobile pre's. But it is a surprisingly robust interface for the money.
Most times people put a pre in front of the interface(Some here like the ART Tube MP. Not bad for the money but I like others better I have a buddy that swears by the Electro Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp).
More things to address in the future I gather?
Reilley
New member
The Edirol UA-25ex is USB 2.0.
G
guitarevan07
New member
really? I couldn't find anything saying it was 2.0. Well cool! Thanks
B
blazingstrings
dgatwood can **** himself
I don't see any info on Edirol's site as to it being USB 2.0....... You may want to e-mail their tech support and confirm before you buy it and find out its not.....
The UA-101 is 2.0 but I would guess its more spendy. But I wouldn't be discouraged from getting the UA-25EX by any means. Great product! I want one.
The UA-101 is 2.0 but I would guess its more spendy. But I wouldn't be discouraged from getting the UA-25EX by any means. Great product! I want one.