Line-in vs. USB/Firewire

[buzzapple]

Hi,

Currently recording line in to my computer (an eMac with built-in line in).

I'm looking to upgrade my mic/preamp setup, specifically looking at a Studio Projects B1 and M-Audio DMP3 and continue to use line in.

My question is, should I consider looking at a USB/Firewire solution for input? I don't necessarily NEED USB or Firewire to get sound in, but I'm not knowledable enough to know what the differences are. Any advice?

-buzz

ps. This BBS is amazing. So incredibly helpful. Best board I've had the pleasure of browsing in awhile. Cheers, all!

 

[PushtoVent]

The main reason to use a USB or Firewire for your audio signal is the clarity of the source. Through line in you might be getting maybe 8-10 kbps where with USB and Firewire you can get 24, or more. And that means more data per second, and therefore, cleaner, more "professional" sound. Your line in may be more, but USB or Firewire will always surpass it.

 

[apl]

A new interface will improve your sound because it will have better electronics than the built in sound on your Mac. Whether the electronics transfer the data to your Mac via USB or Firewire is not relevant to the sound quality.

The differences lie mainly in how much data can be transferred. In this case, the Firewire can carry a lot more, so it wouldn't be a bottleneck in your system. I use a 2-channel USB system, and it works good for what I do. If you need to do more than that, you should probably look at Firewire based interfaces.

 

[buzzapple]

Thank you both for the invaluable feedback, greatly appreciated.

If I do decide to go the USB/Firewire route, is it better to get an interface with preamps built-in (such as the Mbox) or is it better to use an external preamp (such as the DMP3)?

Thanks,

-buzz

 

[apl]

For me, I decided I wanted an 24-bit interface with two channels, preamps and phantom power, so I settled on a Tascam US122. It uses the USB. Some people have a hard time setting it up, but I didn't. I used it to record the song in my signature line. Another feature I really like is that the volume knob is on the box instead of in the computer. A lot easier to get to if you accidently make something too loud.

 

[buzzapple]

Does a usb/firewire device reduce CPU processing on the computer since the analog to digital conversion is done through the interface?

 

[apl]

A/D conversion is typically done in a seperate part of the soundcard/interface so it doesn't use much CPU.

 

[vestast]

Does a usb/firewire device reduce CPU processing on the computer since the analog to digital conversion is done through the interface?

Not really. USB and Firewire will consume more CPU cycles to do it's thing.

Honestly - go PCI if you can. If not then stay away from USB and try to get a firewire interface.

apl had sucess with his USB device - but he is in the minority.

Do a search on this BBS and you'll see how many issues people have had with USB interfaces.

 

[apl]

apl had sucess with his USB device - but he is in the minority.

Hey, vestast.

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but "minority" would mean that more than 50% have failure, and I'm sure it's much less than that. It seems that USB is tricky to set up, especially in XP.

Anyway, I use what I use because I like it what it does. I wish it had a PCI or firewire interface so that it would be easier for others to set up. And if TASCAM used another data transfer protocol, and expanded the box to 6 or 8 channels, I'd be really pumped about it. When I recommend that someone look at it for themselves, I do warn that the USB can be tricky. It seems, from some other threads, that having the latest drivers and XP updates helps a lot.

 

[vestast]

Hey, vestast.

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but "minority" would mean that more than 50% have failure, and I'm sure it's much less than that. It seems that USB is tricky to set up, especially in XP.

Anyway, I use what I use because I like it what it does. I wish it had a PCI or firewire interface so that it would be easier for others to set up. And if TASCAM used another data transfer protocol, and expanded the box to 6 or 8 channels, I'd be really pumped about it. When I recommend that someone look at it for themselves, I do warn that the USB can be tricky. It seems, from some other threads, that having the latest drivers and XP updates helps a lot.

No you're not a jerk And I'm not trying to make you sound like a jerk either. I'm just offering another opinion. But a USB or Firewire device will use more CPU cycles than a PCI device. It could be an issue if you don't have a lot of CPU to spare.

The tascam USB interface seems to be one of the few that works as advertised. The maudio USB devices seem to have all sorts of difficulties working. It's not really a case of USB being tricky to set up, I mean it is supposed to be plug n play. It's more a matter of bad drivers, unrealistic expectations, and maybe flaky chipsets. This is all stuff I've read in this board, and also experienced as my first device was an Edirol USB interface a few years ago that gave me nothing but problems. Now I'm using a Tascam FW-1884 (firewire) and I have it running very stable.

So maybe I should have qualified my statement. If your in a similar situation as apl and you don't expect to ever try and record more than one or two sources at a time, and you do some research first on your PC and go with a proven usb device like the tascam, then go ahead with usb.

But I would still avoid it if I could...

 

[apl]

That FW1488 would be very cool (to me, anyway) if it lost the control surface.

 

[vestast]

That FW1488 would be very cool (to me, anyway) if it lost the control surface.

How come ? You don't like the control surface concept ?

I like it because before I was mixing on the computer screen with mouse and keyboard, and my wrists were starting to hurt. Plus it's really cool to see the faders move up and down..

 

[apl]

How come ? You don't like the control surface concept ?

No! I'm a tightwad! Don't want to spend the $ or the desk space, that's all.

 

[vestast]

No! I'm a tightwad! Don't want to spend the $ or the desk space, that's all.

LOL ! I hear ya..

 

[buzzapple]

UPDATE: Just as I submitted the post below and checked my email, I found a message from M-Audio that answered my question. Hope this helps others, too:

"The DMP3 can be used with any of our portable audio interfaces, although it
will be overkill if the unit already has mic pre's. The FireWire 410 uses
the same mic pre technology as the DMP3, and the preamps on the MobilePre
are good, but not as nice as the DMP3."


Thanks for all your feedback. Found a good deal on an M-audio Firewire 410 so I'm going the Firewire route.

I still uncertain if I can rely on the preamps in that box, or if getting a preamp like the DMP3 would be a good compliment to the 410. Can I run an external preamp into a firewire device that already has a preamp? Do I risk damaging either boxes? Me confused...

Now I have to find a good price on a Studio Projects B1. Looks like DigitalProAudio is about the best price I've seen at $79. Anyone seem any cheaper?

-buzz

p.s. apl: I listened to your song. Pretty cool! I like your Neil Young less-is-more approach. Have you heard his latest Greendale? Very cool record.

 

[Imants]

This Ought To Be Interesting . . .

I too have been doing a lot of research on USB interfaces recently ( I have a Laptop) and I decided to hold off. Other than being a total newb at homerecording (My last setup involved a 4 track tape deck), I found the dichotomy on the USB interfaces a bit of a set back, given I am a poor law school student. Then I called my buddy who has one of these addictions to buying recording equipment. I asked him if he had anything laying around... and what do you know... he is letting me borrow his m audio omnistudio. It is still in the box. I don't think he has used it often. This means I will get to see for myself without paying for it... dope. I am going to pic up a decent condensor mic and I have a pod pro so I will post a review of my findings once I get up and running... if I get up and running.
(my first post on this board)

-Imants

 

[jim_uk]

Hi, id like some advice, i have a behringer mixer and have got the cables to be able to connect it by rca phono to a usb soundcard which i havent bought yet, but reading this i am not sure whether i should buy it now. I was planning on the edirol ua-3 because it is fairly cheap, and i do not have a firewire on my laptop, however this its my first experience with home recording so will i be getting myself into a lot of bother? If there is a better soundcard could somebody advise me on it?
Thank you

 

[vestast]

Check out the maudio Audiophile 2496. 2 in, 2 out and S/PDIF as well.

 

[jim_uk]

The only problem is it wouldnt work with my laptop cos it is built for pcs i think my only option is usb, is there anything better than the edirol ua-3 which is a similar price?

 

[vestast]

Sorry - I guess I missed the laptop thing.

There are PCMCIA cards available for laptops as I've seen people post info on them here before. Maybe do a search or start a new thread about it.

I had an edirol U-8 at one time and it wasn't the greatest. I don't know how good they are now, but I'm sure that there are plenty of people on the board that can help you with that question.