Re: Recording on Computers
- From: "Patrick Keenan" <test@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:46:31 -0400
"Stompbox" <geoffwalker888@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1181632647.766661.33970@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi,
I wanted to askabout the difference between using Firewire or USB as
an interface for linking to computers for recording guitar or whatever
onto a PC.
What is the difference?
Price and reliability, at this level. Firewire royalties add a significant
amout to unit cost.
For most purposes, USB is more than adequate.
I was told that it was to do with the speed of
the interface as USB1 is the slowest, so Firewire was brought out,
No. FireWire has been out for some time and was Apple's interconnect
method. It's high-speed and high-bandwidth and is often used for
higher-end audio and video production. It's not a response to USB.
but
the USB2 is now faster still than Firewire.
USB 2 is about 40 times the speed of USB1. Newer vesions of Firewire are
faster still.
However, you'll find that amost all USB audio interfaces are USB1.
This is because the higher speed and bandwidth from USB 2 is *not needed*
for recording in this context. Firewire's capabilities aren't remotely
taxed with this kind of gear, either.
These devices can only handle two input tracks at a time (left and right) ,
and that goes for most under-$1000 Firewire units as well.
If you are going to ever need to record more than two tracks *at the same
time*, you must pay close attention to the units. Many advertise and have 4
or 6 or more inputs, but in reality, only two can be used at a time.
The lowest-cost units that exceeds this are the Delta PCI cards from
M-Audio.
Is this right?
Most of the hardware interface units seem designed to go into Firewire
connectors, but just a few are for USB.
I think you'll find that isn't the case under $1000. There are many
excellent USB units. m-audio, edirol, etc produce many USB units, and they
are good. I use m-audio products and drag them around, and they work well
and are very reliable for me. But I don't usually need more than stereo.
There is another known issue with FireWire, and that is electrical
reliability. I've had a number of Firewire devices, and all but one have
failed, forcing repairs or replacement.
Firewire is supposed to support hot-plugging, but in reality this can kill
the device and the port. To safely attach and detach a Firewire device, you
must power everything down, connect all cables, turn on the peripherals, and
then the computer. Reverse the process to shut down.
If you are building a stable installation, this is less of a problem; if
you're mobile at all, go for USB.
To be fair, I do see things like USB pen-drives failing, but nothing like
the rate of Firewire devices. And I've never seen a failed USB port
actually force the magic smoke out of a brand-new audio interface, being
demonstrated by a salesperson - but I have seen that with Firewire. I was
glad *they* plugged it in. Both the Mac and the interface required
service.
How can I tell if my PC is USB2 (it is a fairly new unit).
In Device Manager, look at the USB section and look for the word "enhanced".
If it's new, it's USB2.
But it won't matter as there aren't many USB2 audio interfaces; it's not
needed.
HTH
-pk
Thanks.
Geoff
.
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