Ableton Forum

Ok. New to Mac. Have a new Macbook Pro running OS X 10.10.1 ... What is the difference between Bit and Core Audio? The PDF file of the Tascam US-1800 recommends using Bit Audio when available because it provides the best stability and playback in a DAW. However, I believe I've seen in an Ableton video to use Core Audio? Is one better for lower latency when running VST instruments, AU or FX plugins? Thank you for helping.

Gary

seriously, i`ve never heared from bit audio1? are you sure you didn`t understood something wrong?

Here is the link to the PDF for OS X 10.9 by Tascam and you will see their suggestion of using Bit Accurate for audio instead of Core Audio. Now I have been using Core Audio, but I was wondering is there really a performance gain here?

excerpt taken from the PDF --

"The Bit Accurate driver allows for the best stability in playback and
recording within a DAW, but Mac applications that were downloaded
from the Mac App Store are not allowed to use this method. For those
applications, you must select the Core Audio version of the product's
device. "

http://tascam.com/content/downloads/pro ... _revb2.pdf

Wow, first time I've ever heard of this too, interesting.

grpetz wrote:
excerpt taken from the PDF --

"The Bit Accurate driver

Please rename the subject to "New To Mac ... Use Core Audio or Bit Accurate Audio?" Misnomers won't give you proper answers.

grpetz wrote:What is the difference between Bit and Core Audio?

I'm not sure Tascam tells a clear story on what is different, but why not try with both if you own this interface or test it? The implication that Core Audio isn't "bit accurate" per se is not something I take very serious. But I just read some discussion from september that indicate that the US-1800 gives some issues with CoreAudio.

My expectation would be that latency would be about the same, but only testing will reveal the truth. However, if the US-1800 likes Bit Accurate then why not use it if possible?

That an interface requires a separate audio system to work well is not a sign of trustability in my eyes. I will keep staying away from Tascam as I've done for the last 25 years.

I just didn't know if there was a "big" reason why Tascam suggested it, I will try both and see how it works. Thanks for the answers and sorry for the subject not being clear enough... hey I'm a newbie to Mac but really enjoying it's OS

there is what appears to be a credible description of the differences between "Bit Accurate" and Core Audio drivers here:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/9852296-post27.html