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

Similar Messages

Firewire audio interface hangs XP SP3

Hi,
I have searched and found similar issues reported on here but none with a working solution.
I have successfully installed my firewire audio interface (ESI DuaFire) under XP SP3 on Boot Camp - the device is recognized by the system - but when I try to actually use it (play an MP3 or start making music) the whole systems hangs and I must hold the machine's power button down to kill it. Not even the mouse is responsive to trackpad movement when the hang is in effect.
Can anyone out there assist?
Thanks!

Check out this thread here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1656583
It appears that sp3 has issues with firewire. I'm seeking a solution too, short of reinstalling as this person suggests. See also his link re: the famous little patch. I tried that already to no avail. I'm using SP3 too. My firewire behaves like USB... which would/could cause issues like you're describing.
Mike

IMac20" with firewire audio-interface konnekt24D by tcelectronic

Hi folks,
I've got some cryptic problems with my iMac and the connected firewire audio-interface (konnekt24D by tcelectronic). I'm running MacOSX 10.4.10. The problem is that after four days working with no occuring problems I got no sound output. When I restarted the Mac the blue firewire light of the audio-interface disappeared and the tcnear control panel says 'no device'. I decided to update the firmware and then everything runs properly for one day. The next day I got the same 'no output' problem. I decided to update the firmware again but now the blue firewire light disappears and I got 'no device' message from the tcnear control panel. I started the Mac again but the interface was still gone. Now I switched off the Mac and turned it on again. The interface was there and I had output. Next day I got the same problems.
The tcelectronic support said that I should disconnect any other network cables, enable every network setting on the network control panel and connect the power supply of the audio interface. I did everything but got no improvements. The people from tcelectronic concluded that my audio-interface could be defective. So I went to my mönger and he gave me a new one.
From now on everything worked fine for three days. During this time I changed nothing on my setup. No new software was installed, the only thing I did was to start LogicExpress 7.2.1 and begin with my work. After three days I got the same 'no output' problem again. Now I think that there must be something wrong with the iMac. It is the 'old' version (bought in May this year) and I don't know exactly what to do now.
What I don't understand is that both devices worked a few days and then the problems occured. As I said before I didn't changed anything, installed no new software, etc. Maybe the harddisk of the iMac is defective? I've plugged the audio-interface into the other firewire port of the Mac but got no improvement.
I don't know exactly what I should do know because I worked ten years with a PowerMac/Audiomedia III/SCSI system and never had such strange problems.
Greetings to all of you,
Dorsch.

Check out this thread here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1656583
It appears that sp3 has issues with firewire. I'm seeking a solution too, short of reinstalling as this person suggests. See also his link re: the famous little patch. I tried that already to no avail. I'm using SP3 too. My firewire behaves like USB... which would/could cause issues like you're describing.
Mike

IMac FireWire Audio Interface keeps disconnecting

I'm having an intermitten issue with my iMac, which worked (and still works) fine with my IBM based notebook. My firewire audio interface keeps disconnecting, it works fine for a while (could be anywhere between 5 mins to 2 hours) before completing not giving any output, it doesn't switch back to Core Audio during this time. However, if I turn in off and on again, it's fine again.
Any ideas?
More Info:
Audio Interface: Profire 2626
iMac 2011
OSX 10.6.8

PreSonus FIREBOX 24-bit/96kHz FireWire

Multi channel firewire audio interface

Hello, Is anyone using a multi channel firewire audio interface with a mac mini? eg alesis miltimix?

No issues. You'll probably want to invest in an external 7,200 RPM Firewire drive though since the Mini only has a 5,400 RPM SATA internal drive.
I used it with both TIger and Leopard as well as Logic Express 7.2 and Logic Express 8.
OS X supports it right out of the box so I didn't even need to install additional drivers.

IChat AV doesn't work with M-Audio Firewire audio interface

I saw similar topics to this but none dealing with a Firewire audio interface and none with exactly the same problem.
Every other piece of software I use works with the M-Audio Firewire Solo, except for iChat AV. When it is the selected output device and I start a video chat with someone, I get just horrible, loud static when the person on the other end speaks.
Running 10.4.10 on a Macbook Pro (2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo).
Does anyone know of incompatibility issues with iChat and Firewire interfaces?

In Audio MIDI Setup (In applications/Utilities) the setting for my Mic is 44100khz 1Ch 16bit.
The Internal Audio connection also shows up at 44100Khz 2Ch 16bit
Are you looking in the same place or in the device itself ?
I would set it in the Audio MIDI Setup and then make sure it responds in System Preferences > Sound > Input tab.
Once the Blue bar moves to at least halfway there I would then check iChat > Preferences > Video Section to see if the green bar under the Vido pics is moving.
4:25 PM Friday; September 7, 2007

Playing DVDs in 5.1 With Firewire Audio Interface Connected for Logic Pro

This is exactly the same q as asked by plantwebguy in July 06, link
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2696970#2696970...
I'm struggling to get an answer on this anywhere... I have Logic Pro running 5.1 Surround Mixes on a g5, using a Metric Halo Mobile IO Firewire audio interface - its 6 analog outs are connected to a M Audio LX4 powered surround system. It all works great - until... the problem is when I need to listen to DVDs with 5.1 soundtracks (for reference), or even HD trailers (with 5.1 soundtracks). With the Mobile IO selected as audio interface, DVDs only play in stereo. I think this is because the 5.1 soundtrack is only output thru the optical out - but connecting the optical out to the Mobile IO and selecting 'Digital out' on the g5 brings silence.. Im told this is because the MIO's optical in wont decode 5.1. I'm interested to hear from anyone with a Pro Audio interface - like a MOTU etc - who needs to switch between mixing their own music in 5.1 and then listening to DVDs in 5.1.. I cant be the first, surely?
Plantwebguy said he solved his issue with VLC. Do we know if VLC willl decode 5.1 and then output it to the Interface via Firewire? I've searched the net for a Pro Audio interface with (1) 6 analog outs & mic inputs etc (2) firewire connection and (3) optical in that reads AC3/5.1 etc (rather than just ADAT).... nada. Sorry to be long-winded but I cant get a solution anywhere..
Thanks in advance
g5 dual 2.5 Mac OS X (10.3.9) Logic Pro/Mobile IO 2882 FW Interface/M Audio LX4

This is exactly the same q as asked by plantwebguy in July 06, link
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2696970#2696970...
I'm struggling to get an answer on this anywhere... I have Logic Pro running 5.1 Surround Mixes on a g5, using a Metric Halo Mobile IO Firewire audio interface - its 6 analog outs are connected to a M Audio LX4 powered surround system. It all works great - until... the problem is when I need to listen to DVDs with 5.1 soundtracks (for reference), or even HD trailers (with 5.1 soundtracks). With the Mobile IO selected as audio interface, DVDs only play in stereo. I think this is because the 5.1 soundtrack is only output thru the optical out - but connecting the optical out to the Mobile IO and selecting 'Digital out' on the g5 brings silence.. Im told this is because the MIO's optical in wont decode 5.1. I'm interested to hear from anyone with a Pro Audio interface - like a MOTU etc - who needs to switch between mixing their own music in 5.1 and then listening to DVDs in 5.1.. I cant be the first, surely?
Plantwebguy said he solved his issue with VLC. Do we know if VLC willl decode 5.1 and then output it to the Interface via Firewire? I've searched the net for a Pro Audio interface with (1) 6 analog outs & mic inputs etc (2) firewire connection and (3) optical in that reads AC3/5.1 etc (rather than just ADAT).... nada. Sorry to be long-winded but I cant get a solution anywhere..
Thanks in advance
g5 dual 2.5 Mac OS X (10.3.9) Logic Pro/Mobile IO 2882 FW Interface/M Audio LX4

Lowest latency Firewire audio interface for Logic... which should I choose?

Hi Guys,
I'm about to replace my trusty Yamaha n12 with a dedicated firewire audio interface.
My main requirement is super-low latency for running BFD and other virtual instruments, along with monitoring through Logic directly sometimes (to add effects to vocals in real-time, etc).
I've narrowed down my choice (I think!!) to:
- RME Fireface 800
- Apogee Ensemble
- MOTU 896 Mk3
I have been told that the RME drivers are incredible, and hence it has the lowest latency.
I'd love to hear from other Logic users who own any of the above! What kind of latency do you get (round trip in ms)? What is the lowest buffer setting you can use?
Any downfalls or problems you've had with any of these interfaces?
Thanks heaps guys, can't wait to hear some opinions!
Cheers and thanks,
Mike

Thomjinx wrote:
If yeloop is using BFD, then direct monitoring isn't going to help him. That is for audio in.
Exactly.
FWIW, on MOTU Ultralites, I get a little (less than 1 ms) less latency with the Mk 1 rather than the Mk 3.
Perhaps the built-in DSP slows the Mk 3 down?
Interesting--thanks for the info (one more reason not to upgrade MOTU, frankly...)!
It is still 4.3 ms at 32 samples with the Mk 3. For MIDI controlled VIs, it would be less than that.
I think I measured 3.9ms with my Traveler mk2 at 44.1k with a 32 sample buffer. So, it's a bit faster than the mk3. At 96k I can use a 32 sample buffer to get 2.5ms latency, but I can't run BFD2 with a 32 sample buffer. Best I can do with BFD2 is a 64 sample buffer at 96k... 3.16ms.
But, you're exactly right, Thomjinx: with a VI, you won't hear that full amount of latency. Assuming the MIDI latency is negligible, the VI response time will be roughly 1/2 the full analog audio latency. (Logic reports both of the these figures--output latency and full roundtrip latency--if you click on the latency info in the Audio preferences. Be aware, though, that some devices report this information correctly, while others do not. For instance, with the Apogee and Metric Halo products I've used, the numbers reported by Logic are exactly correct, while with MOTU, the numbers shown in Logic are lower than reality: with a 64 buffer at 44.1k the Traveler mk2 indicates 4.3ms roundtrip latency with Logic, but I measured it as 5.6ms... so you may be misled if you try to use the latency values reported by Logic to compare products... in that regard, MOTU seems to cheat, while Apogee and Metric Halo follow the rules
-James

Nothing but line in/out trying to use firewire audio interface

Hi all, hoping someone can help me out here. I just got and am trying to use a Behringer FAC202 firewire audio interface. It's documentation says all I have to do is plug it in and OS X is supposed to recognize it. Well it doesn't. I have no core audio control panel, and in the sound control panel all I have is the default line in/out for internal audio (I do have system sound through the built in sound card)
Anyone have an idea why the firewire device isn't showing up? I did check the firewire bus and I see:
Unknown Device:
Manufacturer: Unknown
Model: Unknown Device
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
The FAC202 is the only firewire device on the system.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks.

Thanks for your reply Jean,
I did try that and saw no luck there either, but it actually turns out that the unit may well be defective. I tried it on several macs of various makes, as well as a couple of PCs and no joy all around, so I'm sending it back for replacement.
Thanks again for your reply.
Jeff

Problem with FireWire audio interface (Edirol FA-66)

I am experiencing the following problem with my FireWire Audio interface via Edirol FA-66. At unpredictible moments the 'Digital In' LED starts blinking, and after that the audio signal stops working. I do not know if Logic is the culprit, since it also happens now and then with iTunes
Note: there are digital in/outs connected.
Only shutting down the Edirol and restarting the iMac G5 resolves the problem, be it only temporary: after a while the phenomenon shows up again.
Extremely ennoying.
What could be the culprit?
Bonkie
Belgium
Earth

Hi Patrick, I don't know that specific interface but could it possibly be that the flashing LED also act as an alert for when the firewire connection has gone down?
Reason I suggest this is I have the same thing from with my iMac & focusrite saffire Le, where i lose audio now & then, & when it happens if i check in the interfaces software control panel it always has a 'firewire connection error' - I then just have to unplug & replug-in the interface to re-establish the firewire conection. Just a thought but maybe it's worth consulting the edirol manual/tech support to see if this is the case ref the LED function?
Adam

Disabling lower frequencies/bitrates of Firewire audio interface possible?

I have a Phonic Firefly 302 Firewire audio interface. With Audio/Midi setup I set all channels to 24kbit/96khz or 192khz. Problem: after every replugging of the Firewire cable, the unit defaults to 16bit/44khz again.
Is there a way to lock this setting?
Is there a way to fool OSX that other bitrates are not available? Like deleting the 44khz, 48khz, 88khz and 16 bit options from some .kext or plist?

For my Firewire interface, I just opened up Audio/MIDI Setup like you, set my interface as the default in System Settings, then set the Input and Output format for my chosen settings, 44.1/24.
Every time I fire up the interface it remembers my settings. Strange that yours doesn't.

Using Firewire Audio Interfaces w/ GB3

Hey all,
Thinking of picking up a firewire audio interface for a few live performances my band and I are doing...I'm thinking of picking up an Alesis iO|14 or iO|26 and using my macbook for it. I'm curious on a few things...in garageband, will each intsrument have it's own track in GB? Also, what are some realistic file sizes for 3-4 minute songs with 4-5 individual tracks?
Thanks, and all the best,
Jared

will each intsrument have it's own track in GB?
yes
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/GBFAQ.html#maxnumrecordabletracks
what are some realistic file sizes for 3-4 minute songs with 4-5 individual tracks?
GB records uncompressed audio which takes up about 10MB/minute/track

Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 or Motu Ultralite firewire audio interface

Hello one and all.
Newbie here so please bear with me as I realise this topic has been covered in lots of various ways before.
I work in a theatre and spend my time creating sound effects, soundscapes, editing pre recorded music and A/V work. I'm currently upgrading our pre, live & post production equipment.
You can see I've gone for the iMac 2.8GHz & i'm about to receive Logic Studio 8. I'm looking for a firewire audio interface as I want to link up a midi controller to it (Edirol pcr 300) and also connect to our Allen & Heath GL3300 mixing desk. I'd like to try to, "future proof" our options (i.e differing i/o options) as we never know what recording/playback needs are around the corner. I've tried to research audio I/O's as much as I can and I've ended up with a choice of 2, Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 or Motu Ultralite.
Any views, reviews or ideas greatfully received.
Thanks
P*

I've done installation work for theatres/theatre groups. Reliability is a nr. 1 priority. I suggest you take a hard look at the Metric Halo 2882.
I like my MOTU 828 mk2(it always works), but my experiences with the MOTU Traveler (will often go berserk if you inadvertently pull the FW plug) and the MOTU 896 HD haven't been very favorable. The 896HD will give you a full blast burst of noise whenever you switch it on. Not good in a theatre where the amps are normally left at full throttle. Also, I had a lot of failures/technical problems.
The 2882 is a bit more expensive, but worth every cent. And the technical support is second to none.

Audio latency: USB vs. Firewire audio interfaces

I would like to find out when latency can be an issue with audio interfaces and how much of a difference USB 1.1 vs. USB 2 vs. Firewire can make. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

Symon wrote:
My current Lacie Rugged drive has reached capacity as a backup unit.
whether firewire really makes that much difference when just using it as a back up drive.
For an initial backup, yes. I have the triple-interface Rugged, and timed an initial full backup of a small (about 30 GB) system. Overall, USB came in at about 55 GB/hr, F/W 800 at 84 GB/hr.
Both were done with little else in use on the system; the difference would probably have been greater had there been high CPU usage, as the CPU has to do more of the work via USB that the F/W chipset does with FireWire.
Of course, the difference won't amount to much on anything but a full or large backup or restore.

After using my new firewire audio interface, my devices get electrostatic

I recently bought a Focusrite Saffire 24DSP which is connected by a firewire cable to my macbook pro (late 2010). I connect it as stated with my macbook of. Now there are moments (and unfortunately they are moment of surprise) that my macbook's case get all electrostatic. Not just a little bit but one that makes your hair rises. Also at that same moment the case of the Focusrite audio interface is also all static, also the back of my audio monitors/speakers (which is connected by xlr-cable to this audio interface), these last two devices are the worse, and even in some cases the metal case of my Novation Remote SL keyboard which is connected by usb to my macbook. You can understand that I sometimes getting nervous to touch anything once the audio interface is powered on... or at the end of my session to power my stuff off.
I first thought that connecting the audio interface to its own wall socket/adapter, instead of using it by powered from the firewire, would solve it, but not.
Even this morning, after powering off everything last night (though the firewire cable still connected), i got a shock when opening my macbook and 5min. later touching the audio interface. How can I resolve this? Is it a problem of my new interface, is it a firewire problem? or is it the macbook? ......
Would it help to put the audio interface on rubber feets.. or should I take care in what order I put devices on and off? Please any help or suggestions, since waking up this way is a terrible one

Is the MBP plugged in using a three pronged properly grounded outlet?

USB Vs FIREWIRE AUDIO INTERFACES?

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