Firewire or USB for Audio interface on powerbook

For a Powerbook G4 667 mhz, 768 MB RAM , 2 USB, 1 FW
What's better, FW audio interface and USB external hard drive, or the opposite? Thanks

I find that I have no problems on my PB using my hard drive and my interface daisychained. Obviously it depends on how fast the FW port is too - I imagine on yours it will be FW400. FWIW, I can get 8 streams of audio on to my LaCie with no probs at all, and can run a good number of tracks off it. My processor gives in before my drive...
But it's right, the best combo to go for it 2 FW ports, and USB ain't great for audio streaming with multiple channels.

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G5 Firewire-ports poor for audio interfaces??

Hello. I have reason to believe that the FireWire-ports on the new G5:s are not really stable enough to handle an audio interface. Storage devices are okay (much less complex protocol).
My G5 constantly loses contact with my Digi 002R interface, or chokes on CPU even on low level usage, and on the Pro Tools forum many users have experienced this. The G4:s had much more stable FW-ports!
For some users it helps to use only one of the two FW400-ports, not both.
Is this a known issue? Has Apple ever commented on this? Does the warranty cover this? (It should)
Niljam, new to this forum

I recently switched from a MOTU 828 running off the FW400 connector on the back of my G5 to a Yamaha mLan-based solution.
When I switched to mLan, admittedly running potentially tons more channels in/out, the internal FW bus "fell over" (connector on the front and the 400 and 800 connectors are all on the same bus no matter it turns out).
I popped a PCI firewire card and the audio stuff worked MUCH better, it was immediate. That's not to say that things work perfectly now... if the machine has been in sleep mode for a while, mLan's autoconnector hangs quite severely, whereby it's not even possible to force quit it... really ugly actually.
at any rate... for 8 in/out, certainly on MOTU, the on-board FW will "do", but it's probably best to get another FW card, especially if you're going to put sample libraries etc on an external FW drive, then you'd want that to be separate from the audio streams...
hope this helps!
Michael
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USB Recording Audio Interface levels are visible but no sound.

I have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2 In/2 Out USB Recording Audio Interface hooked up to my iMac via USB cable.
On the System Preserences Sound Page, the computer recognizes the device and levels are visible.
But there is no sound coming out of my internal speakers/headphones.
I tried recording some music and it recorded fine and played back fine, I'm just unable to monitor the sound as it's coming in.
I've also tried a completely different device with the same outcome.

No, you have every business being here as any help is greatly appreciated.
When you say "core audio" what are you referring to?
Ok, here's what I see in the system preferences->sound window:
Output is set to Internal Speakers
Input is set to my device, the Scarlett 2i2 USB
When I play sound thru the device I can see levels where it says 'Input level'.
Now here's the MIDI setup->audio devices window:
Input is set to Scralett 2i2 USB (hightlighted in the left window with a microphone icon next to it).
just below that it reads 2 in/ 2 out
Output is set to Built-In Output (hightlighted in the left window with a dual smling face box icon and a speaker icon next to it).
just below that it reads 0 in/ 2 out
On the right is the Ch/Volume/Value/dB/Mute wondow
Master volume slider is in Light Grey and un-slidable
1 and 2 are Dark Grey and slidable.
That's pretty much it, sound comes in fine yet no sound from interal speakers.
Now I feel a crying spell coming on. Excuse me. Weep weep weep........

Can i use Iomega 1TB MiniMax Hard Drive FireWire 800/USB for ipad 2 to access videos without using mac or pc ?

can i use Iomega 1TB MiniMax Hard Drive FireWire 800/USB for ipad 2 to access videos without using mac or pc ?

No, you can't connect an external drive to the iPad - the iPad doesn't have a USB or firewire port and the camera connection kit only supports the transfer of photos and videos into the Photos app. There are some wifi-enabled drives that can be used to stream content to the iPad e.g. Seagate GoFlex Satellite

USB or FIREWIRE for audio interface?

Hi,
what will you prefer to , USB or FireWire of your audio interface?
and why?

mactreouser wrote:
Hi,
what will you prefer to , USB or FireWire of your audio interface?
and why?
Here's the "pecking order" for performance and stability :
1.- Internal PCI or PCIe card to audio interface. These units are the best overall, both in audio quality, low latency, and reliability. Some have built in processing cards, with which you can use instead of the computer's CPU, for audio processing tasks.
2.- FireWire audio interface. These are reliable, but can have issues if not set up properly, due to the FireWire drivers which need to be used to run these units. Some have onboard "low latency" mixing facilities, and some have CPU processors for processing audio.
3.- USB 2.0 audio interface. These are also reliable, however are more limited in bandwidth than the FireWire counterparts. This is due to the different nature of the USB audio protocol VS the FIreWire one. Still, it is not that bad for home recording.
4.- USB 1.0 and 1.1 audio interfaces. These are reliable, but not recommended if a lot of realtime audio recording is going to take place. In other words they are great inexpensive units for doing programming, sequencing, editing and mixing, BUT not so much for live audio use, or live audio recording. this is due to the limitations on the USB audio protocol architecture. It simply cannot handle low latency audio very well.
Cheers

What's a good hardware set up for a solo musician? USB pedal USB keyboard audio interface MIDI interface?

I am new to Main Stage. I have not bought any hardware interfaces yet because I don't know what will be the most flexible in the long run. I would be using the Main Stage's innate synths and keyboards, drums, an acoustic/electric guitar, bass, harmonicas and vocals. What type of hardware would you recommend? MIDI/USB keyboards? MIDI interface? Audio interface? USB pedal board controllers?
Would guys help me with specific suggestions and pointer on how I can make a good choice based on my needs?
much thanks!
Fabio.

Then below this is the recording level slider which is all the way to the left or at 0. This is where the problem lies I think as this slider is greyed out and cannot be moved!
for this part:
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#volumesliderdimmed
(Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)

Cheapo alternative to Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter for audio interface?

I am getting an audio interface (Steinberg UR44) which can be controlled with an iPad via the Apple Lightning USB Camera Adapter and a standard USB printer cable (Type A male to type B male), but I am too cheap to buy the ridiculously overpriced Apple adapter, so I am wondering if the following will work instead:
iPad --> Apple lighting male to USB Type A male cable (the standard charging cable) --> USB Type A female to Type B male adapter --> Audio Interface
Other adapters are available for USB Type A female to Type B micro or mini male, so the same kind of arrangement might work for cameras.
The adapters are five bucks or less vs. thirty for the RIDICULOUSLY OVERPRICED (yes, I know, I already said that) Apple adapter.
I am thinking this is a better way to go than a cheap unlicensed knockoff lightning adapter, because the critical part of the connection (the lightning plug and electronics) would still be made by Apple.
Has anyone tried the above with either an audio interface or camera?

Because it was designed for use with the iPad. Apple makes no claim that it will work with an iPhone.

Help needed for audio interface!

Hello, i am trying to set up a small recording studio at home. i have short listed o2 audio interfaces but unable to decide which one to buy? one is Tascam US-144MKII USB Audio Interface and the other one is Focusrite Scarlet 2i2, if you guys can help me choosing the right one.
my main use would be covering songs and recording vocals and instruments at the same time.

nomaan84 wrote:
but they are expensive and my price range is from 100 to 150 dollars
Oh I get that... we all have to work within what we can afford.. and you are not the only one who budgets like that for sure.. but here's the thing..
Note: What follows is just a personal opinion. based on my own personal experienes and those I have worked with here and elsewhere.
You are using a $1000-$2000+ Mac... an App worth $200+ plus extra for whatever 3rd party plugins you have bought.. extra bucks for a Midi controller...and yet you are only willing/able to spend $125+ on a combined Audio/Midi inteface?
It's kind of like buying a $100K Ferrari and then putting $50 tires on it..... and expecting to get the best or even just average performance from your car? It simply doesn't work that way in reality..... and trying to make such a low budget for an Audio / Midi interface.. will only lead to possible issues in the future....
There is a good reason why it tends to be the same audio/midi interfaces which are owned by people who also report issues with the current OS X version and/or Logic .. The cheaper products simply aren't so well supported or designed/developed as the more expensive ones... and so thats what happens...
Look at the current issues going on with Mavericks for example..
Mackie/M-Audio/Avid/Digidesign/Tascam are all having driver/hardware issues of one kind or another..to differing degrees..with various products they sell.. with little sign they are close to properly fixing things.. Focusrite are, at least, working hard with Apple to resolve their driver issues...but currently they are having some issues with certain products in their range too.. The cheapo Midi-USB2 cable type interfaces that sells for $20-$40 are all non starters/buggy as heck.. when used with ML/Mav and/or USB3 ports.. and most of these cheap products have the exact same issues every time OSX undergoes a major update! Sometimes they are fixed eventually and some times they aren't. In some cases the companies simply release a new replacement product leaving owners of the older versions.. left to their own devices.. (sic) and without any recourse or solution.. other than to buy a replacement or not being able to upgrade their Software/OS X
So... here is what i would suggest...
I'd rather buy a used Motu (or one of the other brands out there that are known to be reliable) for a couple of hundred bucks or so.. on eBay than buy a new cheaper interface.... but of course the choice/decision is yours.

Recommendations for audio interface with new mac pro to avoid latency?

Hi friends,
I have a new Mac Pro on order for editing video in FCPX, but Presonus says my older Presonus Firebox won't work with Mavericks and the new Mac Pro. Do you have a recommendation for a replacement?
I only use the interface to drive 2 powered expternal speakers and a headset, so I don't need something super sophisticated.
As I read about units, almost all come with USB 2.0 connections. But the new Mac Pro only offers USB, Thunderbolt 2, Dual Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI 1.4 Ultra HD inputs. If I can't find a fairly inexpensive audio interface with USB 3.0, I'd have to go through another connection to get into the Mac Pro.
The key for me is to make sure and avoid latency, a critical issue for editing video.
Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks. Duncan

Thanks Mark and Smokerz,
Your point about USB2 working in USB3 ports is something I wasn't aware of. That opens a lot of doors for me. And I'll look into the Yamaha sound board as one possibility.
Thank you both for helping me.
Duncan

Macbook Pro,USB Hub, Maschine, USB Turntable, Audio Interface

So I have a MacBook pro 13 inch. I'm also using Maschine and a USB turntable to sample from. My problem is I want a USB audio interface so that the audio comes out clearer on these KRK Monitors I have. If I get a USB hub will I be able to use the midi options with the hub using Maschine or have audio going in and out of the same hub with an audio interface? Please help

I get the same type of problem with my usb hub when my usb3-enabled hard drives are connected, but not all the time.
Without the usb hub i never have a problem, which seems like the hub is the problem.
Things started to happen when I started using usb3-capable hard drives

Firewire or USB for Home Media Server

I have an iMac (2008) that I am going to use as an iTunes server for streaming to AppleTV. Since the iMac only has a 320GB drive, I am planning on buying a new external hard drive to which I will transfer all of my media, which I will always leave connected to the iMac (I will just point the iMac's library to the media on the drive).
My question is whether I should consider FireWire 800 or USB 2.0 as the external drive. I know most macs these days no longer come with FireWire, and in the case that I end up getting a new computer in the next year or two, I'd rather have a drive that utilizes USB 3.0 and have that faster option in the future.
That being said, if the stream quality to the AppleTV is going to be so poor that I hate it (using the USB 2.0), then I would consider a FireWire 800. Does anybody have any experience with this?
Also, it should be noted that all of my devices will be wired to the local home network (not wireless).
Thanks for the advice.

Personally, I don't think it matters. FireWire 800 is capable of almost 800 Mb per second and while USB 2 is theoretically capable of 480 Mb per second it only has an effective throughput of 280 Mb per second. If you have other uses for this drive, the difference between FireWire and USB may well be worth considering, however if you are just going to use it for movies to play to your Mac/Apple TV, you should remember that these movies will need no more than 10 Mb per second in order to play without issue.

Won't recognize firewire for audio interface

I am trying to run a Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 through the firewire port on my brand new Macbook Pro, only problem is that the computer is not recognizing the device. I've been at this for a really long time now and I havent the slightest clue on how to handle this. Any feedback will be much appreciated.

Hi Tom,
I'm using a MAC Book Pro OS X version 10.5.8 with a Sony HDV 1080i/mini DV. I have them connected through a 800 firewire. I'm trying to import onto Final Cut Express 4 that I just downloaded yesterday. Quick time version 7.6.9.

USB for Audio Out

I am looking at buying a Bose Companion speaker system. The Bose Companion Series 5 plays music through a USB connection. If I connect the speakers via USB on the Airport Express will it output audio through this connection via iTunes?
Thanks,
Mike

Thank you for the extremely fast and quick response...
Mike

Need a new firewire or USB for backup??

I just found out that my firewire cannot be partitioned to store bootable clones for both my new Intel MacBook and my old iMac Flat Panel. So I guess I will need to buy something new for my MacBook. Any suggestions on a good and cost effective purchase? I have been happy with my LaCie d2, but it is getting long in the tooth and there is probably a better alternative. TIA.
P.S. I am not a techie and will not consider building anything myself. I need out-of-the-box!
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9) iMac Flat Panel (10.3.9)

Funny you should mention firmware for LaCie. I have not had issues with my 120GB d2, though I use it only for clones, so it certainly has not had hard use. When I installed the recent firmware update I noticed that it seemed to apply itself to one partition, even though all volumes were mounted. I followed the instructions exactly, so hopefully I won't be having problems.
Also funny that you should post that particular link. I have been trying to search on these boards and OWC seems to be highly regarded. My MacBook doesn't have FW 800, but I was considering getting this model http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MAU8F7250G16/
so that I would have 800/400/USB choices. If my MacBook only has 160 GB hard drive, I am thinking that 250 GB should be okay. Hopefully their back-up software is not difficult for a very BASIC Mac user to learn. I have been using Retrospect but I understand that it is not Intel native yet?
Thanks for your input.
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9) iMac Flat Panel (10.3.9)

Firewire chain for external audio interface and hard drive

I use Logic Studio 8 on a Macbook Pro with a Presonus Firebox, an external Lacie Firewire hard drive for audio recording, and another Lacie Firewire drive for backups.
Is there a recommended chain order when chaining my Firewire devices together? I read somewhere on a ProTools forum that they recommend putting their Firewire audio interface Mbox2Pro at the end of the chain.
So right now I have Macbook Pro -> Backup Drive -> Audio Drive -> Presonus Firebox. I once had it in a different order with the audio drive first, but I found it was reading more slowly from/to the audio drive when it was in that order. I have no idea technologically why this would be the case.

I just found and joined this great forum. Following up on Ray's comments about his MacBook set-up, I have a similar MacBook 2ghz, 4mb ram, 9400 chipset, and am exploring getting into Logic Pro 8 and was wondering if my MacBook was underpowered, and whether I needed to step up right away to a MacBook Pro because of my lack of PCI slots for recording audio to an external eSATA drive.
I was encouraged to hear that the USB 2.0 connection for Ray's external WD 7200 hard drive has worked and improved things and his audio isn't getting choked and he is not getting the clicks and other problems.
I'm wondering if Ray or anyone else has any other tips on using a MacBook for Logic and for optimizing one's setup. And Ray, did you notice a point at which the clicks started? .. in terms of number of tracks? Or were they present from the outset? I'm wondering how many tracks you are running now on your system.
I might mention that I don't have an audio interface yet but was impressed with what I've read about the Apogee Duet. Any comments on interfaces and the Duet?
By the way, I'm just recording one instrument/one track at a time and perhaps occasionally two instruments at a time. And right now, my main purpose for getting into Logic is for editing and mixdown of pre-existing tracks that have already been created on a standalone hard-disc based DAW. If all goes well and if I like the whole Logic experience I'd expect to get a more powerful MacBook Pro or even a Mac Pro or whatever higher end iMac exists in the future.
To summarize, all I'm intending to do initially with the MacBook is:
1) transfer individual digital tracks from a standalone hard disc-based DAW into Logic for mixdown and mastering.
2) Record a few extra new tracks one at a time - probably not using any instrument plug-ins but relying on external synth/sampler/guitar sound sources ..in each song (maybe 3-4 tracks at most), and
3) apply standard effects like reverb and EQ and panning to the mix down and master songs, each song containing a of approx 25-40 tracks.
My basic question is, can a MacBook 2Ghz with firewire 400, 4gb memory and USB2.0 to external hard drive handle this or is it underpowered? Thanks.
Derek

Firewire or USB for Audio interface on powerbook

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