Firewire audio interfaces

[Transistor]

Is the MOTU 828 the ONLY firewire audio inteface for the Mac?
There are several USB options out there, but as far as I can tell, this seems to be the only one for Mac, am I right?

[Bob]

Only one that I'm aware of. Metric Halo has a 2882 coming out shortly and MOTU has an 896 due out in March.


But the 828 is the only one out now and you can now use multiple 828's. Why do you need another option??

[Transistor]

You are right Bob. I've been paying more attention to the specs of Firewire and USB audio interfaces.
My conclusion, correct me if I'm wrong, is that Firewire allows more audio channels to run simultaneously than USB interfaces. Right?
I assume that there are no significant differences in audio quality (except perhaps for more KHz in Firewire than USB), are there?

How would you recommend me to select a Firewire or USB audio interface?
Besides the money issue (and an important one!), what should I take into consideration when selecting Firewire or USB audio interface?

[Bob]

correct. USB only allows 2 audio channels reliably, although you can get up to 6. The 828 and 896 - which is now shipping - will allow 24 or more audio channels. I can't see there being an audio difference between the two but the 828 and especially the 896 have higher quality a/d converters than most of the USB interfaces I'm aware of. I think you should be most concerned about sound quality and if the interface is going to work reliably with you computer and software(s) that your running.

[pi31415]

Something else to consider before you buy an 828, sure it may have a burning fast firewire connection with plenty of ins and outs, but it doesn't work very well under water.

[Bob]

yes, that is another limit of firewire, USB and electronics in general, they don't work well under water.

thanks for not letting me leave that out :rolleyes:

[SteveR]

Don't forget ol' PCI. There are some decent PCI cards out there for not a lot of money considering what you would have spent even three years ago.

Check out M-Audio for starters...

Cya

Steve...R

p.s. USB is slow at audio but may suit someones needs. I tend to buy things that will last me through times of growth and USB is sort of stuck as a two channel (well four at a push) device. Emagic's USB interface is having some level of success but compare what you would spend on a PCI card and I don't see the point myself. (Outside of the laptop world that is...!)

[Transistor]

True, PCIs are still out there and worth looking into if you own a machine with PCI slots.
I guess USB 2.0 will most likely close a bit the gap between 2 channel-USB and 24 channel-Firewire interfaces, don't you think?

[SteveR]

Indeed. I don't know how well USB II will do in the fast transfer market though. I am wondering whether it will just end up a decent way to connect to printers and still cameras (and the like).

Firewire is the total standard in the consumer DV camcorder market. I doubt there is any need to change that.

A good earner for Apple I would have thought.. ;0)


SteveR