Soundcard tip

[SFT]

hey

im about to buy an external soundcard..

id like to hear your opinion on these sc's:

http://www.gear4music.com/Soundcards/M-Audio/M-Audio_Fast_Track_Ultra_Audio_Interfacesefv_2.html

http://www.gear4music.com/Soundcards/Focusrite/Focusrite_Saffire_LE_Audio_Interfacesefv_3.html

what do you recommend and do you think i can buy a better one with this price ?

thanks in advance

cheers

-sft

 

[Consultant]

I think people typically recommend Firewire for pro devices.

Although most work plug and play, you should check driver support (if needed) for your OS.

 

[SFT]

im running on a imac

 

[SigmundFraud]

I think people typically recommend Firewire for pro devices.

Does anyone know if this really is still a problem? I remember in the early days of USB 1.2, when there were sometimes driver issues around quirks of specific vendors USB hardware, that there was no competition - Firewire was it. But USB 2 is more stable now, and though not as fast as FW400 in real-world testing, does have plenty of headroom for audio. USB is more popular with entry-level interfaces, but I imagine that this is due to broader PC support rather than due to acoustic inferiority.

Also, these interfaces are not "pro" devices. I'm guessing they'd be fine for home use and that the USB wouldn't be a big issue. You would be wise to listen to them before purchase and decide which one you preferred the sound of. I'd be interested in any recent field experience (rather than theoretical or received wisdom) that supports the FW is better than USB argument. I'm fond of FW - it's a Mac thing. But emotion shouldn't inform clear-headed purchasing.