USB or Firewire Audio Mixer?

If I'm going to record in real-time (not just copy audio files to the HD), would it be better to get a mixer that has USB or firewire outputs?
Or should I just use analog RCA outs on the mixer to the analog mini-in on the Mac?
- Mike

Either will work - sufficient RAM and speedier hard drives are more "weighted" in your equation than the interface.

Similar Messages

USB Vs FIREWIRE AUDIO INTERFACES?

what is the advantage of having a firewire audio interface over a usb audio interface?
I have a Edirol UA-25 USB Audio interface and am going to be using it with my new macbook pro that i have just ordered!
I just want to know if this interface would work fine with logic on a macbook pro? or would it reduce performance coz its USB and not Firewire? and buy how much? whats the difference?
Thanks for your help
John

Basically, USB won't allow you to go with buffer settings as low as Firewire. That means you will have more latency with USB than with FW. Some drivers are more CPU intensive than others but I can't say this is a USB thing only. The first Yamaha MLAN drivers were terrible even if MLAN uses FW. I don't think USB or FW have an impact on tracks count.
Sorry for the double post.
Message was edited by: mlehmann

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

Multiple audio-outs via USB or Firewire?

I'm looking for a hardware solution for my mid-2010 MBP w/ 2-4 audio outputs via USB or Firewire. On the software side, I want to have multiple media players open and playing simultaniously, but each output separately. I was told m-audio makes devices that allow this, but I am curious which may be the cheapest with this capability - or alternate manufacturers.

I think you'd have better luck going to the m-audio forums and asking your question.
http://forums.m-audio.com/
It would be hit or miss to find someone here who's an expert on your issue. Also, you might post your question to the Logic Studio forum here:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/professional_applications/logic_studio
There are a lot of sound people there who might point you in the right direction with a MacBook Pro.

Kmixer shows intermittently USB audio mixer(It works,too!)

I am perplexed by the sudden appearance of the USB audio mixer option.
It isn't always present in KMIX.
It has a PCM output volume control
It has an input option but no input shown.
Does anyone else have the USB Audio option in KDE?

I have found a use for the USB mixer in KDE.
If it stays loaded in KDE KMixer I'll be satisfied.
The trick is to enable XMMS with a .wav selection. Click on the O option on the left side of the XMMS display: select.....preferences.
Select Output Plug-in ALSA.....
Select ...Configure....
Select under AUDIO DEVICE ...USB Audio (hw1,0)
Select Mixer Card ...1 and PCM
Click OK
This provided stereo audio from .wav files on the usb Soundwave Optical 5.1 device connected to a USB port on my system while using XMMS. This device has a stereo output jack and an optical port.
At the same time, another .wav file was possible simultaneously( even the same .wav file) on the PCI audio channel from the normal KDE mixer and PCI card using other multimedia devices(kaboodle, noatun).
I do not have any device for 5.1 surround which is optically provided by the soundwave device(probably not properly addressed for it in the system anyhow).
Maybe this will help someone with their USB audio connect?

(MacOSX Lion 10.7.4) The problem of connecting the audio interface (USB and FireWire), grained acoustic distortion!?

When you connect the audio interface to usb or firewire grained acoustic distortion, there is no loud noise in the acoustics! In the old "iMac24 Snow Leopard" was not like this!
Just bought the iMac21 lion, installed the new drivers and the two interfaces of different firms is presented, this acoustic problem.
I understand it comes from a usb and firewire!?
Help Me_____
Sorry for my english

Well, it's been a few days and with no response I thought I'd look for another solution. I've been trying this software called iVPN, apparently it's like a front-end to OS X's built-in VPN server. Anyway, I disabled the VPN Server from the Server app, turned on iVPN and was VPN-ing from my iPhone over 3G in notime. It's a great app, though it kinda ***** that the server can't do what it's built to do. Since VPN was the big reason I got Server in the first place, I'll probably uninstall it and stick with OS X's built-in file sharing and iVPN.

Will a USB or FireWire mixer allow me to record multiple tracks simultaneously in GB?

Hi there. I'm very much new to home recording but have an acoustic guitar and mic that I'd like to connect up to my iMac. I was wondering if a USB or FireWire mixer would allow me to record each instrument as an individual track in GB or would the sound all be compressed into one track? Many thanks for your help.

callumbm wrote:
I was wondering if a USB or FireWire mixer would allow me to record each instrument as an individual track in GB
yes, but if all you need are two tracks, even an analogue mixing console will work. a tutorial:
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Tutorials.html#allaboutrecording2tracks
(Let the page FULLY load. The link to your answer is at the top of your screen)

USB or FIREWIRE MIXER

Looking to conect a mixer to my system via either USB or Firewire, used a Digidesign Command 8 with Avid system in the past, has anyone used this mixer with Soundtrack Pro?? Or Which one would everyone recomend?

Many thanks for your reply - can you use the transport functions with the tascam (eg when you press the play button on the tascam does adobe audition play)also is the tascam automated (do the sliders move in correspondance with the volume changes etc within a track) Many thanks Ronan

Re: Weird noise coming through USB using Audio Mixer on Satellite C870-1EX

Hello!
So, my sister has Satellite C870-1EX and she's using new Audio Mixer with intergrated sound card that sends sound through USB cable to the computer (computer recognizes it as external sound card/device). This is the device: http://alesis.com/multimix8usbfx .
Few weeks ago she started noticing a very weird noise, sort of high-pitched hissing noise, like very fast electronic beeping. Something similar to what good old internet modems did when they were connecting to the phone line, just not that loud and a bit faster.
Firstly, obviously, we tested every single setting on the Audio Mixer.
Then, we got new USB cable and swapped it.
After that we also took down the whole equipment, checked all cables, untangle them if needed, swapped power source, checked different recording software, even tried some other USB recording devices etc etc.
None of that helped. Drivers are all there as well.
Here's the catch. I used the same equipment with same settings on my computer and ... no hissing noise at all. The thing is, any setting we tried, that hissing noise stays the same, nothing changes.
Even if you pre-apply some sound FX that should either boost or reduce any kind of noise in the signal that is sent to the USB port of the computer, that hissing noise stays the same.
What worries me is that something is wrong with the hardware of my sister's laptop.
The noise does not appear if we use, for example, microphone that uses 3,5mm jack or laptop's built-in mic while recording stuff in the same recording session with same software and similar settings (considering some must be different due to different input).
However, the noise appears if we use any external USB recording device on any of her ports.
Windows on her laptop were reinstalled some time ago (now she's on Windows 7), but the problem appeared few weeks later.
As I said before, drivers are all there and up-to-date as well.
So, I'm hoping one of you will come up with a (simple) software sollution ... and hopefully we won't need to take her computer back to the shop.
However, as far as it seems now, the latest is more likely to happen.
Please, tell me I'm wrong :)
Thanks!

Hi
A friend of mine has had an similar issue using an DJ Controller : Traktor Kontrol S4
It was not a noise but he noticed some stutter and audio drop-outs.
The problem was the background processes which were running while using the controller.
In order to solve this it was needed to disable all possible devices in device manager like WLan, LAN, Bluetooth, etc
Additionally he had to disable the Antivirus software and firewall which was running in the background.
I dont know if it helps you but I think its worth a try
One further idea: try to reduce the CPU performance. This can be done in Win 7 power management.
How to handle the power managment features of Windows 7
http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/HTD12017W0001R01.htm
The option Processor power management contain the option called Maximum processor state
Here you can set it to 90%-80%

Weird noise coming through USB using Audio Mixer on Satellite C870-1EX

Hello!
So, my sister has Satellite C870-1EX and she's using new Audio Mixer with intergrated sound card that sends sound through USB cable to the computer (computer recognizes it as external sound card/device). This is the device: http://alesis.com/multimix8usbfx .
Few weeks ago she started noticing a very weird noise (listen to the file attached bellow, I'm talking about that very annoying hissing noise). Firstly, obviously, we tested every single setting on the Audio Mixer. Then, we got new USB cable and swapped it. After that we also took down the whole equipment, checked all cables, untangle them if needed, swapped power source, checked different recording software etc etc. None of that helped. Here's the catch. I used the same equipment with same settings on my computer and ... no hissing noise at all.
Drivers are all there as well.
What worries me is that something is wrong with the hardware of my sister's laptop. The noise does not appear if we use microphone that uses 3,5mm jack or laptop's built-in mic.
Windows on her laptop were reinstalled some time ago (now she's on Windows 7), but the problem appeared few weeks later.
So, I'm hoping one of you will come up with a (simple) software sollution ... and hopefully we won't need to take her computer back to the shop. However, as far as it seems now, the latest is more likely to happen. Please, tell me I'm wrong
Thanks!
Attachments:
Track 1_002.zip ‏999 KB

That doesn't appear to be a US model, and this is the forums for Toshiba USA. You may want to contact Toshiba in your region. If it's a European model, you could check the Toshiba Europe forums.
- Peter

Unstable timeline movement using FireWire audio (MOTU 828mk3)

I'm using a 32 bit system with Windows 7 Home Premium and Service Pack 1. An AVI that I captured with my DV camera will not play in Premiere Elements. I can see the time line making a loop every 10 seconds or less whenever I use FireWire for audio. If I use Windows Sound Card, it plays well.
The same AVI plays well on Windows Media Player with or without the FireWire audio interface.
I'm new to Adobe but have used AVID Liquid Pro before. It seems like I'm missing a CODEC but I'm not sure if that is the problem. NOTHING plays right with the FireWire Audio selected regardless of the many settings I have tried.
Thanks,
Joseph Balsamo

I'm using Premiere Elements 12.
The 828mk3 is a FireWire audio interface. I'm actually using IEEE 1384 connection vs USB. I use it for my audio (PC to mixing board) mostly for Sonar.
I found out today during a chat with Adobe that Premiere Elements does not support MOTU. That must be my problem.
I am not trying to capture, just play an AVI in the timeline. The timeline does not move smoothly enough to do that without audio and video problems. However, the same AVI will play in the organizer of Premiere Elements. Also the same AVI also plays in Media Player. I also have no problems with audio or video using YouTube or Vimeo or any video on the web with Chrome or IE 11.
I am using Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit with Service Pack 1.
828mk3 Hybrid Firewire Audio Interface
I am told that Premiere Pro can support MOTU. I just don't have a 64 bit system for it yet.
Thanks,
Joseph Balsamo

High pitch squeal related to Firewire audio device after 10.6.2 audio patch

So the recent Mac Pro audio update 1.0 (applied on 10.6.2) has reduced my CPU temperature with audio playback (Presonus Firebox Firewire audio interface) and that is great. Also haven't had any machine crashes (grey screens) recently which is also great.
The problem is that when the Firebox is plugged into the firewire port of the Mac Pro there is a constant high pitched whistle of slightly oscillating frequency. If I unplug the Firebox the whistle goes away in a few seconds.
After prolonged use in a quiet room (the kind of room you need for audio recording / mixing work!) the noise is enough to drive me crazy.
I read a post on another forum with other people having the same problem. Can anyone comment here on seeing the same thing? Is there any known work around or fix for this?
When the CPU is under heavy load (e.g. H.264 compression etc.) the noise subsides only to return when there is normal load (i.e. half a dozen apps running).
Help!
Thanks

So I was able to back out the update using "Kext Helper b7" and the original IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext and AppleHDA.kext files from a backup before applying the update. It's pretty easy - just drop the two files onto Kext Helper, hit "go" and then reboot.
My ears are no longer in constant pain and I can actually use the Mac Pro again albeit running quite hotter than before.
This is not a fix Apple. The problem looks unrelated to a specific device based on the posts in this thread. Please issue a usable fix for the Mac Pro Audio performance issue.

Does 2 firewire audio and video interface can work together on FCP ?

hello,
My audio interface is a TC Electronic Konnekt 24D
my video interface is a Canopus ADVC 110
my hard drives are plugged in firewire too
and I use Final Cut Pro 5.0.4
So, the konnekt is recognized by FCP only when the Canopus is not plugged. And even then, the audio sometimes drop out and sometimes causes the app to crash, so that I have to trash the preferences
When I plug the Canopus, the Konnekt 24D is recognised by OS X but not FCP
I want to use the voice over tool with the konnekt 24D, so what should I do ?
Does 2 firewire audio and video interface can work together ?
If so, maybe I only have a driver problem from TC Electronic.
But if not, I have to change this interface. Let me know if only RME, MOTU, Presonus and Edirol work, as it is said on apple's webpage for hardware compatibility
thanks
eMac G4 1,25 Ghz Mac OS X (10.3.9)
eMac G4 1,25 Ghz 1 Go RAM DDR Mac OS X (10.3.9)

The 1082 does show up as a possible input when I open
the VO tool.
Ok. So an audio interface can be plugged to FCP without crashing the app. Because of the Konnekt driver problem, I wasn't shure of this.
I use my Aja box for export & external monitoring.
All my audio sources run back into the Tascam and I
use the analog mixer in the 1082 to monitor different
sources.
When I view external video, the audio follows it to
keep sync.
that's exactly what I want with other I/O interfaces. I'd like to monitor video with the canopus ADVC 110, and monitor audio with the Konnekt 24D (or another interface if this one is not compatible)
I also imput dailies with a deck or a camera (DV or HDV) but that's not the point here.
I want to imput audio with the Konnekt 24D because of its audio quality. Not audio sync to video dailies. But voice over, in sync with FCP video playback (for me, tha ADVC 110)

USB to FireWire converter cable, will it work?

There are a number of sellers on auction sites selling USB to FireWire (4-pin) converter cables. Will these work with iMovie in respect of connecting my Samsung MiniDV Digital (tape) camcorder? The seller claims they will, but I am skeptical based on what I've read on the internet - so I thought I'd ask the discussions for their advice/experience...?
FYI I'm using a 13 inch Alu MacBook prior to the inclusion of a FW port...

Despite Niel's great suggestion, the bottleneck is the USB connection into the Mac; even though it's possible to plug a FireWire adaptor into that USB/ExpressCard socket, the ultimate connection (..or combination..) has a USB specification.
USB delivers burst of high speed data, not continuous hi-speed data, which is what FireWire offers, and what miniDV camcorders send out. The camcorder won't be able to make proper contact with the Mac at the far end of the chain, so the computer won't "see" the camcorder, and nor will the camcorder be able to tell the computer "here I am, sending you a digital video-&-audio stream".
The connectors will all physically fit together ..just as you can physically pour paraffin (kerosene) into a car's petrol (gasoline) tank ..but that doesn't mean that the car will actually run with a tank full of kerosene ..or diesel fuel, for that matter.

Lenovo USB 2.0 Audio Microphone doesn't work on my new B510 with Win7 purchased last month

Today is the first time I tried to use the lenovo USB 2.0 audio microphone in my new B510 to do audio chat. The messenger sofware I used didn't hear anything from the mic but can display my Video.
I reinstalled and updated the divers of Audio, USB 2.0 Cam, and HD Audio Manager from Lenovo Suport and Realtek website, and checked "Sound" panel of recording devices. lenovo USB 2.0 audio is the default device and default communication device, Realtek HD Audio is "Not Plugged In", stereo mix is "ready", and all devices are working properly. I also checked Lenovo HD Audio Manager panel. There recording volume is the maximum and stereo mix is not recording device. I opened Device Manager panel. no color mark is on any audio device. My computer was restarted several times during those above adjustments. But the mic is still not working. I didn't record any sound in the Sound Recorder in the Accessories folder of win7.
Please help me!
Also, does anyone know how to mute the beeping sound of buttons on the screen of B510? Every time I hit those buttons to adjust sound volume or to turn off the light for keyboard, the sharp beeping sound comes out. It quite bothers other people staying in the same room.
Thank you!!

hey Killthebeeping,
if you have the USB Mic connected kindly remove it first then uninstall the audio drivers for your B510.
let windows install its generic driver.
once done plugin your usb mic and test it again.
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USB or Firewire Audio Mixer?

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