USB2 vs Firewire for Audio Interface (PC) ?????

[dna598]

See, I want to be able to have as many outputs available as possible for using Silent Way.

I think that requires a certain soundcard that will output CV. You better check their list. I know nothing about it cos i dont have any modular stuff.

My own experience is basically that I used to own an echo audiofire12. It gave me buffer issues and did not have flexible routing dsp. I then got a babyface and everything was fixed. route anything anywhere, and no performance problems.

and thats about it, really!

[Guillermo Barrancos]

Very interesting conversation. But in my case theree are some options mentioned here that are not on the table.

I'm using a desktop PC. So that removes some of the issues that were discussed. Anything that applies to a MAC is not applicable.

So, within the context of my situation, which way should I go? So far it's a tug of war between FW and USB (2 or is it 3?).

Hmmm ....

Ok .. so let's try this. Can any of these options be had no matter which motherboard I select as I configure this new computer? Or must I make the interface choice before I select the motherboard? Or is there some aspect I should include to leave my options completely wide open? Like some sort of PCI card slot option or whatever? Or is there some other thing I should have to leave me every interface choice available once the computer is built?

Since it is obvious ... painfully obvious ... that this audio interface choice is something that I will have to invest time and research into before I decide which way to go, I want to be sure this new comouter can handle any choice I make. So is there some aspect or ~thing~ I'll need to make sure this computer is outfitted with to make sure every option is open to me? That way I can move forward with the construction of the computer and deal with the interface later after I spend more time studying the issue?

Sorry, I am having a difficult time expressing my thoughts here and my words are hard to choose. Forgive my several attempts at getting this notion said.

So anyhow.... what do I need to do to make sure USB2, USB3, Thunderbolt, FireWire, PCI, PCIe, (other), options are wide open to me as I configure this new computer? I deon't want to close off any upgrade paths!

Thanks.

PS: I suppose Os was right then? BAH! This is really maddening! Haahaa!

If you are using a desktop PC, why the heck you go for an external interface?

When I still had a desktop PC I used the E-MU 1212M interface for years. One of the best in the price range.
You also have the 1616M that comes with a input/output module you could slot in the 5inch bay (DVD player/burner bay).

It´s still for sale by the way.

[El Epho]

See, I want to be able to have as many outputs available as possible for using Silent Way.

I think that requires a certain soundcard that will output CV. You better check their list. I know nothing about it cos i dont have any modular stuff.

My own experience is basically that I used to own an echo audiofire12. It gave me buffer issues and did not have flexible routing dsp. I then got a babyface and everything was fixed. route anything anywhere, and no performance problems.

and thats about it, really!

The Expert Sleepers ~slash~ Silent Way setup can use several types of interfaces, it depends on which one of THEIR interfaces you use.

You can use ANY analogue outputs (DC coupled or AC coupled). The ES-1 interface for that (8 analogue in, 8 CV out).

You can use ADAT. The ES-3 interface for that (ADAT in, Cv and gate out).

You can use SPDIF. The ES-4 interface for that (SPDIF in, cv and gate out).

I'll have to see what the deal is with the Babyface as far as what I can have going out simulateously.

Thanks.

[El Epho]

Very interesting conversation. But in my case theree are some options mentioned here that are not on the table.

I'm using a desktop PC. So that removes some of the issues that were discussed. Anything that applies to a MAC is not applicable.

So, within the context of my situation, which way should I go? So far it's a tug of war between FW and USB (2 or is it 3?).

Hmmm ....

Ok .. so let's try this. Can any of these options be had no matter which motherboard I select as I configure this new computer? Or must I make the interface choice before I select the motherboard? Or is there some aspect I should include to leave my options completely wide open? Like some sort of PCI card slot option or whatever? Or is there some other thing I should have to leave me every interface choice available once the computer is built?

Since it is obvious ... painfully obvious ... that this audio interface choice is something that I will have to invest time and research into before I decide which way to go, I want to be sure this new comouter can handle any choice I make. So is there some aspect or ~thing~ I'll need to make sure this computer is outfitted with to make sure every option is open to me? That way I can move forward with the construction of the computer and deal with the interface later after I spend more time studying the issue?

Sorry, I am having a difficult time expressing my thoughts here and my words are hard to choose. Forgive my several attempts at getting this notion said.

So anyhow.... what do I need to do to make sure USB2, USB3, Thunderbolt, FireWire, PCI, PCIe, (other), options are wide open to me as I configure this new computer? I deon't want to close off any upgrade paths!

Thanks.

PS: I suppose Os was right then? BAH! This is really maddening! Haahaa!

If you are using a desktop PC, why the heck you go for an external interface?

When I still had a desktop PC I used the E-MU 1212M interface for years. One of the best in the price range.
You also have the 1616M that comes with a input/output module you could slot in the 5inch bay (DVD player/burner bay).

It´s still for sale by the way.

I think some of the E=mu stuff was having some driver issues with 64 bit ... I can't really recall right now. But you may be right. The problem with some of hte PCI setups have been 64 bit drivers. I'm not saying that I HAVE to use external, that's why I posted this thread in the first place was to see that else I can use.

I'll look into the ones you've suggested. Thanks!

[Donnie]

Those EMU cards are now pretty old and have limited Win 7 support. I have an 1820m and it is only partially supported by the last set of drivers. Certain ins/outs don't seem to work, and if I remember correctly some of the DSP functions are not fully functional in Win 7 either. I'm not sure how that affects other cards in the series, but something to be considered since they are all developed around the same general framework.

Another problem is that now very few machines come with PCI slots, everything is going or has gone PCIe. So you almost have to build a system around using that type of card.

Personally, I prefer external devices now so I can float them between different types of machines. I like that freedom, and laptops are pretty powerful these days so my desktop is getting less and less use (almost none at all). So if there is any future intention of using other types of machines, an external device could have some advantages in that regard.

[channelite]

I'm using a SIIG firewire 400 PCI card in my Windows 7 PC. Works good with the original Motu 828mk3.

[H20nly]

i've used firewire (SIIG firewire 400 PCI card) with no issue on my Windows 7 laptop. i've also used the built in 4 pin... no issues with it, but i have not run it that way much.

i used a firewire to thunderbolt adapter on my iMac... then i realized it had a firewire port. both work fine.

i have not had a single issue related to my (firewire) audio interface (T.C. Electronic Konnekt 6) with either system. ever. i've had the laptop about 3.5 years and the iMac since September.



if you do buy a firewire card... just make sure to get a T.I. (Texas Instruments) chipset for best results if at all possible.

[Goddard]

i used a firewire to thunderbolt adapter on my iMac... then i realized it had a firewire port.

Are you Jessica Simpson?!

And just for the record: USB and Windows waste your life.

Thank you.

[Guillermo Barrancos]

And just for the record: USB and Windows waste your life.

Thank you.

If you are a grandmother or still using Windows XP. Yes sure. I agree.

[Goddard]

If you are a grandmother or still using Windows XP. Yes sure. I agree.

Nice try...

I'm blessed with MacOS. Already forgot that there's anything like OS installed on my computers. No issues whatsoever...

Actually XP was the last Windows release that somehow worked. If you are a victim of the latest "8th" release I don't have to say anything more. You're gonna suffer enough...

Enjoy!

[carrieres]

i don't have any problem with win7

[Guillermo Barrancos]

If you are a grandmother or still using Windows XP. Yes sure. I agree.

Nice try...

I'm blessed with MacOS. Already forgot that there's anything like OS installed on my computers. No issues whatsoever...

Actually XP was the last Windows release that somehow worked. If you are a victim of the latest "8th" release I don't have to say anything more. You're gonna suffer enough...

Enjoy!

I just have to laugh about this.
Here we got another blind fool that just blindly follows the hate wagon against Microsoft and Windows 8.
Hate that is purely based against the Metro UI, people that can´t handle any change, and completely ignore the quality of the actual OS itself!

Windows Vista was an abomination and an inefficient resource hog. You won´t hear any praise from me here.

However, Windows 7 is a rock solid OS, great performance and has much lower hardware foot print.

Windows 8 is an improvement on Windows 7, with better performance, even lower hardware foot print and on top of that much more efficient on battery life for laptop users.

I currently use both MacOSX and Windows 8.1 preview on my 15" Macbook Pro Retina. No issues here.

[Goddard]

Here we got another blind fool that just blindly follows the hate wagon against Microsoft and Windows 8.

Here in Sweden we're taught to have understanding for different kind of sexual orientations like feminism or Islam.
That's why I understand your masochistic urge to punish yourself with that Win thingy.
If this is your toy of choice, keep it up (where it belongs...) and don't spare on lubricant.
Skål!

[Donnie]

LOL, Win 7 has never been anything less than rock solid for me. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

[H20nly]

yeah Windows 7 has been rock solid for me as well. i've had zero issues in 3.5 years... and the several dozens of units at my office all work really well too.

but i have an iMac and used it in my example that you singled me out on... i would say nice try Goddard... but, let's face it, it really wasn't.