MIDI to USB latency vs. Firewire soundcard

[Fetusborg]

hello everybody
been a bit since i've posted here... but i'll get straight to my question.

i have an m-audio 1814 firewire sound card which i want to sell, to downgrade to a simpler m-audio external card. such as the Firewire Solo.

the problem is that i use midi, through a korg padkontrol and a micro korg, and the Firewire Solo does not have midi capabilities. (the 1814, of course, does).

so i thought of buying the firewire solo for my audio operations (voice, guitar recording), and then buy a midi to usb converter (something like this buddy right here: http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--EDIUM2EX )to convert all my midi to usb, and go straight into my laptop.
(actually, the korg padkontrol is already usb capable, and should go straight into laptop. problem is, i haven't tried it yet, as its in another country. so i haven't witnessed first hand if there is a latency problem or not)

(which is a macbook pro 4.1, 2.4 gHz, 2 gb ram, 200 hd)

the question is: will i have latency problems going midi straight into my computer via USB?

to avoid said latency, would i have to use a firewire connection via sound card, such as the firewire solo or my 1814?

using midi signals through my microkorg via my m-audio 1814, i haven't experienced any latency. everything runs smoothly.

but since i've never used USB for that, i don't know yet.
and i'd like to know before i sell the 1814 and buy another.

thats it!
thank you all for reading and helping

Flavio

 

[altitude909]

it's hard to say. Midi over USB is a tricky issue that has lots of variables that determine whether or not it will work well. I would say if you are getting good results with what you have, why change anything?

 

[Fetusborg]

yeah, i've thought about not changing a thing also.

but the fact is that where i am right now, i can get some very good money for the 1814 (which i really need to travel for a month in september).
and with that money i can downgrade, buy a cheaper, more suitable sound card (as i really don't use all those inputs in the 1814)... and still have very good money for traveling.

there's the rub