USB or Firewire?

  • Thread starter Thread starter subhsen
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subhsen

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Hi...

I'm starting a small vocal studio using PC.

Someone has suggested me M-Audio Fast Track pro instead of using separate mixer, preamp and sound card.

But, this is a USB interface. Is it good to go for a USB interface or Firewire interface is better. What would you suggest?

Thanks in advance...
 
USB is pretty much limited to 2channels - a limit that bites everyone eventually even if you think it's 'enough for now'. USB works well enough for cameras, keyboards, mice and hard drives in copying files because it works well in burst mode, but falls down with long sustained transfers of large amounts of information - just what you're trying to do in recording.

Firewire was designed from the beginning to move lots of audio and video channels.
I use a Motu828mkII and they guarantee that I can gang 3 devices together to get over 60 channels in and out.

Tossing away equipment because you can't expand it can get VERY expensive....
 
Definitely check out the Motu828mkII, like TimOBrien suggested. It's a bit pricey, but worth it in the end. If you don't quite have the funds for the 828mkII, check out it's predecessor--the MOTU828...you may be able to find a used one for around 300 usd.
 
Thanks guys. I might not go for so expensive interfaces initially. But your suggestions clear confusions.
 
Another newbie question friends....

I'm planning to buy Behringer Xenyx 1024FX mixer which comes with USB interface. If I have a Firewire Interface (like Behringer F-Control Audio), can I attach this to 1024FX?

It may be a very stupid question, but please...
 
Thanks Freddy.

Could not find dealer in India for Phonic. However, Alesis is there. Though I have not yet checked with the dealer, I think that would be expensive to our current budget. We would be recording basically voice with a scope to record 1 or 2 accousting and midi.

What about Behringer 1002FX? Can I attach FireWire interface with it? It does not come with any interface.

Does the connection goes like this :

Mic --> + Keyboard + Midi Interface --> Mixer --> Firewire Interface --> Firewire port of Computer?

I again apologise for my very limited knowledge.
 
subhsen said:
Does the connection goes like this :

Mic --> + Keyboard + Midi Interface --> Mixer --> Firewire Interface --> Firewire port of Computer?
Click to expand...

Well, with a firewire interface, there is no need for a mixer.

Mic-->Firewire Interface-->Firewire port on PC

If the soundcard has a midi port, it could be:

..............Keyboard
...................V
Mic-->Firewire Interface-->Firewire port on PC

If it doesn't have a midi port, you could connect the keyboard via USB or a separate midi port on your PC.

There are alternatives. For example, you could go with a mixer into a PCI soundcard:

Mic-->Mixer with separate outs per channel-->Soundcard with separate inputs

The mixer you link only has 2 outs I believe (i.e. a stereo pair). This may be fine if you are happy to mix everything BEFORE you record it. After it is recorded you wouldn't be able to change levels on each microphone separately.
 
TimOBrien said:
USB is pretty much limited to 2channels - a limit that bites everyone eventually even if you think it's 'enough for now'. USB works well enough for cameras, keyboards, mice and hard drives in copying files because it works well in burst mode, but falls down with long sustained transfers of large amounts of information - just what you're trying to do in recording.

Firewire was designed from the beginning to move lots of audio and video channels.
I use a Motu828mkII and they guarantee that I can gang 3 devices together to get over 60 channels in and out.

Tossing away equipment because you can't expand it can get VERY expensive....
Click to expand...

I am recording for almost 5 years now, NEVER needed more than two inputs at once, and I think most of the ppl that record mostly alone would neither.
 
rockem said:
I am recording for almost 5 years now, NEVER needed more than two inputs at once, and I think most of the ppl that record mostly alone would neither.
Click to expand...

for the most part yes. unless you are recording drums.

I only recently started recording by myself and I don't play drums. I don't really foresee myself using more than 2 tracks at once.
 
The TASCAM US1641 is the shiz. What they said about USB can only do 2 channels is bollocks. I've just made several songs recording drums (stereo, one track per channel) a guitar and bass simultaneously. Several of my guitar pedals have multiple outs, so Im recording native guitar, and effected guitar(s) seperately.

There is a LOT of debate whether USB2 or Firewire is the way to go. I'l stick with USB. If you use a pci usb card with only the tascam attached, its much faster than using firewire, as the bandwidth is not shared with anything else. I've got the mouse, keyboard and cd-rom plugged into the onboard usb ports, so its using a seperate bandwidth. No problems at all.
As far as Im aware, firewire devices are able to communicate to each other directly, whereas usb signals get processed by your computer.

Only reason Im looking around forums tonight is Im switching recording software.
So Im really just after a driver that will pick up the individual tracks (16 of them). I have one program thats designed to use this usb interface device, but the export options are imcompatible with another program that I prefer to use for multitracking.
 
Will Tascam US1641 work with www.REAPER.fm?

Thanks for removing the doubt about recording multiple tracks with the Tascam US1641 USB interface.

Do you know whether it will work with the REAPER software?

I'm thinking of buying a Tascam US1641 but need to find out what software it will work with. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
andyidk said:
Do you know whether it will work with the REAPER software?
Click to expand...


All modern sequencers (including Reaper) use ASIO drivers to talk to interfaces, so you dont have to worry about 'compatibility'.

The only program that's fussy about interfaces is DigiDesign's ProTools (because they use the soundcard as a copy-protection dongle and you HAVE to use a ProTools-approved interface for it to work.)
 
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