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

[El Epho]

OK, so if the little war of wits over Mac vs Win7 is overwith, may we see if there is any way to figure out which connection protocol has worked out to be any better than the others for my particular situation?

Mac is not on the menu at all, I'm building a PC, so .. yea.

At this point since it seems that there are as many success stories as there are failure stories with USB2, Firewire, or PCI I think I'd be best served to select an interface and then go with whatever protocol it uses. In other words, let the chosen interface make the decision for me.

I've been giving the RME Babayface some serious consideration. I believe it is a USB2 device. Anyone have any reasons why I should not go that way?

[H20nly]

the price.

too expensive for my taste. i don't mind spending that kind of money on a unit, but it won't fit in the palm of my hand when i do. i want something i can leave some instruments plugged into that doesn't feel like a fragile toy for that kind of money. i realize it's not a toy and it's a good unit but cables and adapters and such don't feel substantial enough for my taste. it reminds me of some kind of travel adapter kit not a permanent setup.

*shrugs*

take that with a grain of salt.

[Guillermo Barrancos]

OK, so if the little war of wits over Mac vs Win7 is overwith, may we see if there is any way to figure out which connection protocol has worked out to be any better than the others for my particular situation?

Mac is not on the menu at all, I'm building a PC, so .. yea.

At this point since it seems that there are as many success stories as there are failure stories with USB2, Firewire, or PCI I think I'd be best served to select an interface and then go with whatever protocol it uses. In other words, let the chosen interface make the decision for me.

I've been giving the RME Babayface some serious consideration. I believe it is a USB2 device. Anyone have any reasons why I should not go that way?

It´s a really good device and highly popular. But it has a hefty price.
If you got the cash, sure go for it! You can´t go wrong on that one.

If you want to spend less, then Motu Microbook mk2 or one of the Focusrite Scarlett devices are also very good options.
I went with the Scarlett 2i2 and if you need more ports, then you´ve got the Scarlett 8i6.

[Donnie]

I'll vouch for the Scarlett interfaces, they are pretty good if you are looking for something affordable. I've been using one without issue for the past few months...holding me over until I can convince the wife to let me pick up an RME UCX.

[El Epho]

OK, so if the little war of wits over Mac vs Win7 is overwith, may we see if there is any way to figure out which connection protocol has worked out to be any better than the others for my particular situation?

Mac is not on the menu at all, I'm building a PC, so .. yea.

At this point since it seems that there are as many success stories as there are failure stories with USB2, Firewire, or PCI I think I'd be best served to select an interface and then go with whatever protocol it uses. In other words, let the chosen interface make the decision for me.

I've been giving the RME Babayface some serious consideration. I believe it is a USB2 device. Anyone have any reasons why I should not go that way?

It´s a really good device and highly popular. But it has a hefty price.
If you got the cash, sure go for it! You can´t go wrong on that one.

If you want to spend less, then Motu Microbook mk2 or one of the Focusrite Scarlett devices are also very good options.
I went with the Scarlett 2i2 and if you need more ports, then you´ve got the Scarlett 8i6.

"MOTU Microbook II not compatible with Ableton Live" .... http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50437 .. whatever that's worth, looks like there may be more to that story than first impressions though.

Scarlett 212 is only a 2x2, the Scarlett 816 is only 6 outputs.

The Babyface has 12 outs. Which allows for 8 CV outputs when used with Silent Way/ES-3 PLUS 2 audio outs AND headphone outs. I need to be able to have 8 outputs for use as CV/Gates with simultaneous audio outputs for recording monitoring. The Babyface offers 8 ADAT outs plus 2 analogue outs plus headphone outs all simultaneously.

There may be other ways to get that done, but I've not found them yet. However I am always open to further suggestions.

[H20nly]

http://www.tcelectronic.com/impact-twin/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ImpactTwin

[El Epho]

the price.

too expensive for my taste. i don't mind spending that kind of money on a unit, but it won't fit in the palm of my hand when i do. i want something i can leave some instruments plugged into that doesn't feel like a fragile toy for that kind of money. i realize it's not a toy and it's a good unit but cables and adapters and such don't feel substantial enough for my taste. it reminds me of some kind of travel adapter kit not a permanent setup.

*shrugs*

take that with a grain of salt.

The I/O cords will be patched into a patchbay anyhow, so the actual jacks that instruments and support gear (Amps etc) will be attaching to will either be a patchbay or a custom patching panel of my own design. While I understand your distaste for the "fragile toy" sense that something like that gives off, it will be of little or no consequence in my own situation. If I had my way it would be in a nice metal rack chassis with metal jacks (not the crappy-shitty plastic nutted jacks that so many companies seem to have adopted, even Moog!). So what I do is hardmount cheapy-feeling devices within my rack and then repatch their I/O to patch panels. I've even done that same thing with my Nord Micro Modular so that all of the wear and tear of inserting/extracting cables is placed on the custom patch panel and it's easily replaceable Switchcraft #11 or #12A jacks. It's just something I feel I must do with some things, for the very reasons you pointed out.

I'll even do that same thing if I end up using a PCIe card of some type for this audio interface issue.

[El Epho]

http://www.tcelectronic.com/impact-twin/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ImpactTwin

Much better! I'll look into that one deeper a little later this evening. 1/2 the price of the Babyface as well. I'll have to see how well it deals with 64 bit environment and dealing with Live 9 Suite and so on.

Very nice.