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Firewire interface for recording

post #1 of 43
3/20/11 at 11:14pm
Thread Starter 

Yo,

Does anyone here use firewire interfaces for things like recording and outputting with low latency on a laptop?

I'm looking at a few - maybe the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 and the Lexicon I-onyx.

My only requirements are works on windows 7 (should be most of them by now), works with firewire 400 (should be most of them) and around about the same price range as the i-onyx.

 

I'd also like more io rather than less (about 8 in 8 out), midi would be cool, but not essential. I'd also like a monitor line out that combines all channels for use with my stax headphones, rather than using the headphone jack.


Edited by MrGreen - 3/20/11 at 11:16pm
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post #2 of 43
3/21/11 at 5:07am

I use an Echo AudioFire 2 as a transport, primarily because of it's native ASIO drivers, but does improve the sound as well (clarity, focus).

It works wonderfully on Windows 7 x64 if I use the 5.5.6 beta driver, a texas instruments firewire expresscard with the legacy driver.

I hope a new driver will be available soon.

It doesn't do every thing you want, but the AudioFire 4 seems to fit the bill.

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post #3 of 43
3/21/11 at 9:10am

although its firewire, but doesnt do 24/192.

 

the accuracy of the clock is not known.

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post #4 of 43
3/21/11 at 9:52am

products_fireface_400_1b.jpg

http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_400.php

 

 


Edited by MrQ - 3/21/11 at 4:11pm
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post #5 of 43
3/22/11 at 11:24am
Thread Starter 

Any particular reason for the fireface over say, the saffire liquid 56?

 

 

What kind of midi plug is that anyway....

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post #6 of 43
3/22/11 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGreen View Post

Any particular reason for the fireface over say, the saffire liquid 56?

 

 

What kind of midi plug is that anyway....


No particular reason. Looking at the specs of both, it's down to what particular features you want. 

 

You're right. Not exactly 5-pin?

 

I forgot the Motu Ultralite mk3 hybrid. which is cheaper than the others 

 

69750_l.jpg

click on pic

You got your 8in and out and stereo out. 

 


Edited by MrQ - 3/22/11 at 12:02pm
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post #7 of 43
3/22/11 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 

Alright cool, I'll see if theres a place to try some of these.


 

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post #8 of 43
3/27/11 at 9:56pm
Thread Starter 

I've decided to go with the echo audiofire 12. It has a lot of line ins, which is basically my major need. I'll add pres and DI boxes externally at a later stage. Thanks

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post #9 of 43
3/28/11 at 4:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGreen View Post

I've decided to go with the echo audiofire 12. It has a lot of line ins, which is basically my major need. I'll add pres and DI boxes externally at a later stage. Thanks



It'll most likely need the same treatment as the AudioFire2, if you can't find the beta drivers, PM me.

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post #10 of 43
3/28/11 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 

Uagh. It looks like I'm back to square one. Laptop I have is using a bad firewire chip that lots of people dislike/cant configure correctly. Luckily, it looks like focusrite says "its fine with their gear", so I'll email them and see what they think. The echo team "do not recommend it". Oh well, we'll see how it goes.




 

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post #11 of 43
3/28/11 at 10:22am

My AudioFire2 doesn't work at all with the onboard Ricoh firewire controller with 4-pin connector on my ThinkPad, I get ½ second noisy playback if I'm lucky.

I doubt any firewire audio device will work well with this type of controller, if you are lucky it might work and only suffer form frequent pops and clicks.

What I'm trying to say is, don't expect it to work with an onboard controller, no matter what the vendor says.

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post #12 of 43
3/28/11 at 10:32am

Does it have to be firewire ? If you need good sound and portability than RME Babyface

Babybag_2.jpg

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post #13 of 43
3/28/11 at 10:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by loopfreak View Post

Does it have to be firewire ? If you need good sound and portability than RME Babyface



Firewire audio devices work more efficiently then USB because Firewire is full duplex while USB 1.1 and 2.0 is half duplex.

This enables firewire devices to send and receive data simultainiously, this makes a noticeable difference in CPU load, especially with multichannel audio, like DAW's and games.


Edited by Adda - 3/28/11 at 10:47am
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post #14 of 43
3/28/11 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by loopfreak View Post

Does it have to be firewire ?



Yes, unfortunately, I'm in a rather odd position now because of the Ricoh situation. Unfortuantely, the laptop in question also doesn't have an express slot, merely a PC card (2) slot. I might have to end up taking a dive, see how it goes, and then maybe try out a pc card with firewire and an external power supply (since I imagine it's the external power supply)

 

 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adda View Post

My AudioFire2 doesn't work at all with the onboard Ricoh firewire controller with 4-pin connector on my ThinkPad, I get ½ second noisy playback if I'm lucky.

I doubt any firewire audio device will work well with this type of controller, if you are lucky it might work and only suffer form frequent pops and clicks.

What I'm trying to say is, don't expect it to work with an onboard controller, no matter what the vendor says.


 

What are you plugging it into? Is it an express card or pcmia?

Did you try commonly recommended fixes (legacy driver, disable wireless, etc?)



I've dealt with a focusrite sister company before, and they've usually been extremely honest about what will and wont work with major selling-points of their gear.


Edited by MrGreen - 3/28/11 at 11:08am
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post #15 of 43
3/28/11 at 11:04am

 

 

Quote:

Firewire audio devices work more efficiently then USB because Firewire is full duplex while USB 1.1 and 2.0 is half duplex.

This enables firewire devices to send and receive data simultainiously, this makes a noticeable difference in CPU load, especially with multichannel audio, like DAW's and games.

 

I see the point, CPU load is very important, but at the same time I suspect that RME didn't push the envelope regarding latency on their new portable. 

 

 

 

Quote:
 I might have to end up taking a dive, see how it goes, and then maybe try out a pc card with firewire and an external power supply (since I imagine it's the external power supply)

 Good luck with your search 

 

 

 

 


Edited by loopfreak - 3/28/11 at 11:20am
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