What Firewire Audio Interface has the best value to feature ratio

[Timo]

I think PCI is favourable to USB/Firewire if you have a desktop PC only due to having more bandwidth available and being directly addressable. Stands to offer lower latencies and more channels at those lower latencies.

That said, I can run my firewire Motu at the lowest buffer and get away with it, even at 96KHz @ 128 buffer (1.3ms) or more usually 44.1Khz @ 64 buffer (1.5ms), but have not tried it under a greater amount of multi-channel load yet, which is where the real test begins.

[TheHobbit]

Historically I agree with regarding PCI(e) for interfaces/bandwidth however i finally stretched myself to a RME FF800 and do not regret it.
Very clear sound, excllent configuration (especially it using input/outputs for external buses/effects/synths/outboard gear in general).

The nice thing with firewire is being forunate enough to have a macbook pro i can play around with samplers/reason/cubase on the move and hook it up FF800 between the lappy and desktop pc so suits me.

I read loads about audio interfaces and tbh the RMEs are highly spoken of on every forum i visited. Went to the local store to hear it vs motu and echo audio, rme won hands down for me. Loving it ...

Links :

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards...interfaces.htm


http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music...ml#post3839726





d•.•p

[fgimian]

Originally Posted by TheHobbit

Historically I agree with regarding PCI(e) for interfaces/bandwidth however i finally stretched myself to a RME FF800 and do not regret it.
Very clear sound, excllent configuration (especially it using input/outputs for external buses/effects/synths/outboard gear in general).

The nice thing with firewire is being forunate enough to have a macbook pro i can play around with samplers/reason/cubase on the move and hook it up FF800 between the lappy and desktop pc so suits me.

I read loads about audio interfaces and tbh the RMEs are highly spoken of on every forum i visited. Went to the local store to hear it vs motu and echo audio, rme won hands down for me. Loving it ...

Links :

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards...interfaces.htm


http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music...ml#post3839726





d•.•p

What sort of latency can you achieve with the RME?

[TheHobbit]

Ah latency well that really depends on your PC rig...

On the Pentium 4 desktop my latency is as : 3ms / although run at 5ms

On the I7 rig it is approx 2

All depends on what buffer sample setting you are set to...

Higher buffer setting (ie 1024 = higher latency/longer time) but handle more plugins/sounds/audio streams

Lower buffer ie 128 = lower latency and less plugin/sounds/channels streaming simultaneously

Do a search (I know you been looking) there is loads out there.

On DPC Latency checker I am getting approx 213us (2ms) on 512sample buffer.

Guess it depoends on how many instances of audio your are intending to record at once and your cpu overhead when running plugins and the like.

If youare doin many audio streams it has Firewire 800 or 400 - 800speed provides more bandwidth so more audio streams at once with lower latency settings.

(Im not a pro - so if I am wrong sure others will nip in with an ammendment).

@_@ Of course you have to add the whole routing which can double so a 3ms latency will actually be 6-8 depending on processor latency/midi interface/cbaling/routing and any other hardware/proesses the signal goes through before reaching it destination!?

[fgimian]

Originally Posted by TheHobbit

Ah latency well that really depends on your PC rig...

On the Pentium 4 desktop my latency is as : 3ms / although run at 5ms

On the I7 rig it is approx 2

All depends on what buffer sample setting you are set to...

Higher buffer setting (ie 1024 = higher latency/longer time) but handle more plugins/sounds/audio streams

Lower buffer ie 128 = lower latency and less plugin/sounds/channels streaming simultaneously

Do a search (I know you been looking) there is loads out there.

On DPC Latency checker I am getting approx 213us (2ms) on 512sample buffer.

Guess it depoends on how many instances of audio your are intending to record at once and your cpu overhead when running plugins and the like.

If youare doin many audio streams it has Firewire 800 or 400 - 800speed provides more bandwidth so more audio streams at once with lower latency settings.

(Im not a pro - so if I am wrong sure others will nip in with an ammendment).

@_@ Of course you have to add the whole routing which can double so a 3ms latency will actually be 6-8 depending on processor latency/midi interface/cbaling/routing and any other hardware/proesses the signal goes through before reaching it destination!?

Very impressive figures mate, I'm generally running at 6ms with my Layla3G and never have any issues, it can go down to 3ms but gets less stable on bigger projects.