Where are the USB 3.0 audio Interfaces?

[miekwave]

I'm in the market for a low latency 16+ input audio interface but all I see are Firewire and PCI options. Are there any 3.0 interfaces or do I have to convert to Firewire 800? (I have a new on PC laptop i7 2.8GHZ, 8GB ram)

Edit:
I have a Studio DAW and Mobile Production Laptop. I use the Studio DAW for demanding audio work, sequencing, mixing, video and post. I would like to use this Laptop for Ableton Live Sessions and Mobile Recording on the go.

Clients ask me if I can record their live shows. I would love to, but my Laptop sports USB 3.0, no FireWire or Thunderbolt, its a Hackintosh/Win7 thats optimized for Audio (as far as OS is concerned).

I want to run 16 channels of 96/24 Audio paired with a Flash Voyager GT Turbo 128GB for LIVE sessions or Mobile Pro Tools project recording on the go.

Sessions and Projects will be swapped with the internal 750GB 5200 RPM for OS/MEDIA backup. And Media on the 750 5200 RPM is swapped with Studio Daw media. When I get back to the studio I dump the Pro Tools project into the Studio DAW.

My next upgrade will be replacing the 750GB 5200RPM with a Intel 520 480SSD.

Edit #2: I would like an interface that supports 16 ANALOG inputs (TRS and/or XLR)

[misa]

I haven't seen too many USB 3.0 audio interfaces, but many seem very capable simply using USB 2.0 The RME UFX and UCX come to mind. The Focusrite Scarlett line has a couple interfaces with 18 inputs at a lower pricepoint than RME. Plus, firewire connections seem to be getting phased out on new computers, so I wouldn't put my money into a new fw interface if I didn't have to.

[jlgrimes]

I'm in the market for a low latency 16+ input audio interface but all I see are Firewire and PCI options. Are there any 3.0 interfaces or do I have to convert to Firewire 800? (I have a new on PC laptop i7 2.8GHZ, 8GB ram)

Most developers are somewhat dragging their feet on USB 3.0.

Im guessing they are trying to decide between USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt.

Thunderbolt offers even more performance increase than USB 3.0.


Also that said it could also be that USB 2.0 already have the bandwidth you need.


It is probably the same reason you don't see many USB 2.0 midi interfaces.

[H20nly]

Also that said it could also be that USB 2.0 already have the bandwidth you need.

this.
what's the rush? from a development standpoint there is no real benefit.

[login]

Just get an RME with firewire and usb, compare their performance and ask yourself if you neeed USB 3.0?

[blarue09]

I haven't seen too many USB 3.0 audio interfaces, but many seem very capable simply using USB 2.0 The RME UFX and UCX come to mind. The Focusrite Scarlett line has a couple interfaces with 18 inputs at a lower pricepoint than RME. Plus, firewire connections seem to be getting phased out on new computers, so I wouldn't put my money into a new fw interface if I didn't have to.

Which USB 3.0 interfaces have you seen?

[H20nly]

Just get an RME with firewire and usb, compare their performance and ask yourself if you neeed USB 3.0?

you want us to compare the performance between fire wire and usb on your RME?


you first!

[login]

Just get an RME with firewire and usb, compare their performance and ask yourself if you neeed USB 3.0?

you want us to compare the performance between fire wire and usb on your RME?


you first!

I have an UC and it's rock solid, better that other fw things I had (focusrite saffire).

People is skeptical about usb delivering the same performance as FW, so they should try and compare both.

[H20nly]

heh.

i'm actually using a firewire to thunderbolt adapter between my TC Electronic interface and my iMac

muggle blood.

[miekwave]

Also that said it could also be that USB 2.0 already have the bandwidth you need.

Are you sure USB 2.0 will handle 16 channels of 96/24 at 256/512 sample buffer? If So which 16 channel interfaces have you seen?

[login]

Also that said it could also be that USB 2.0 already have the bandwidth you need.

Are you sure USB 2.0 will handle 16 channels of 96/24 at 256/512 sample buffer? If So which 16 channel interfaces have you seen?

Rme fireface UC, UFX, UCX

[doghouse]

There are no USB 3.0 interfaces on the market yet. I haven't been paying much attention (I'm on a Mac), but the only 3.0 devices I've bumped into are hard drives.

You can do 16 channels in and out on USB 2.0, there are a couple of interfaces that can do this today.

[Guillermo Barrancos]

I haven't seen too many USB 3.0 audio interfaces, but many seem very capable simply using USB 2.0 The RME UFX and UCX come to mind. The Focusrite Scarlett line has a couple interfaces with 18 inputs at a lower pricepoint than RME. Plus, firewire connections seem to be getting phased out on new computers, so I wouldn't put my money into a new fw interface if I didn't have to.

I have that problem right now. Having a Nice M-Audio Firewire Interface I can no longer use, as the New Laptops these days do no longer come With FireWire.
It's all USB 3.0 and Display port/HDMI.

I should have never gone for FireWire a couple years ago, but just buy the USB 2.0 Version. /sigh

[gnurf]

I have that problem right now. Having a Nice M-Audio Firewire Interface I can no longer use, as the New Laptops these days do no longer come With FireWire.
It's all USB 3.0 and Display port/HDMI.

I should have never gone for FireWire a couple years ago, but just buy the USB 2.0 Version.

There's a TB to Firewire adapter if you use a Mac, though. I'm going to try finding a USB/Firewire interface relatively cheap, since I'm getting a Mac which has FW. Frees up a port, reduces the number of hubs I need. I have so much USB gear :/

[Anubis]

There are no USB 3.0 interfaces on the market yet. I haven't been paying much attention (I'm on a Mac), but the only 3.0 devices I've bumped into are hard drives.

You can do 16 channels in and out on USB 2.0, there are a couple of interfaces that can do this today.

Focusrite