firewire vs. usb

[mojo_pin]

I'm sure this question has been answered alot but i really need to know. I'm buying a recording interface for my powerbook and i'm between the motu 828 and the emagic 2/6. The only difference is that the 828 is firewire and the 2/6 is usb. I was wondering which would get the job done better with less latencey.thanks
chris

[dhosek]

Firewire is much faster by far. I wouldn't use USB for anything more than midi myself.

[macmidi]

They both have direct monitoring capabilities so latency will not be an issue with either. However, USB is a bit flaky and to make it work more reliably you must connect it directly into the computer not into the keyboard, monitor or via a hub.
The 828 has 1/4" ins/outs and the 2/6 uses RCA, so the 828 will have better sound properties due to it's balanced outs.
However, it is always best to use hardware and software of the same manufacturer for guaranteed workability.

So, if you are using Logic, use a 2/6; using Digital Performer, 828.

My two cents.

[Lama]

I have yet to get no monitoring latency with ANY USB product. The MOTU828 does a decent job of it, but remember (this is unadvertised) that you can only monitor single channels or channel pairs (i.e. channel 1, or 1-2) with their CueMix no latency monitoring.

Personally if you've got the extra $$ I'd go for something PCMCIA based like the RME unit (www.rme-audio.com) or possibly the Echo Layla24 (www.echoaudio.com). The thing about the MOTU is it has two okay mic pres which can be nice. I haven't had any problem running the MOTU828 with ANY software application as it comes with stable a stable ASIO driver, so software should matter with that unit (for what it matters, I use DP3 anyway).

The other thing is that the MOTU828 is still firewire, which means that its tied directly to the CPU. If you're doing anything processor intensive (i.e. recording through lots of effects) your computer will lag. With PCI based hardware (including PCMCIA based) this computer lag isn't as apparent as the card handles some of the load.

Hope this helps.
... Tacket
Mad Peeps Productions
www.rememberfull.com (http://www.rememberfull.com)

[nelsonrichards]

mojo- check out the Layla 24 w/cardbus! made for laptop, I think it is a better all-around choice than the 828. I am getting one myself, I use DP3 and think it's a better product.

www.echoaudio.com (http://www.echoaudio.com)

[lucere]

"...the MOTU828 is still firewire, which means that its tied directly to the CPU. If you're doing anything processor intensive (i.e. recording through lots of effects) your computer will lag."
An easy solution to this is pick yourself up a firewire pci card. They're cheap, too!!

[Nordy North]

Originally posted by macmidi:
They both have direct monitoring capabilities so latency will not be an issue with either. However, USB is a bit flaky and to make it work more reliably you must connect it directly into the computer not into the keyboard, monitor or via a hub.
The 828 has 1/4" ins/outs and the 2/6 uses RCA, so the 828 will have better sound properties due to it's balanced outs.
However, it is always best to use hardware and software of the same manufacturer for guaranteed workability.

So, if you are using Logic, use a 2/6; using Digital Performer, 828.

My two cents.

Toatally agree, this is the best advice you could ever have!
Stick with the same manufacturer and everything is designed to work together, e.g. USB for MIDI is perfect when using Digital Performer and a MOTU interface beacause of MTS, a feature designed by MOTU to gain a third of a millisecond accurate timing. This will not work with an emagic interface though, they have AMT for there MIDI timing, so get an emagic interface to use with Logic. (Steinberg have there own as well)
When it comes to audio stick with PCI or firewire, much more reliable. Hop this helps

[Tristen]

"...the MOTU828 is still firewire, which means that its tied directly to the CPU. If you're doing anything processor intensive (i.e. recording through lots of effects) your computer will lag."

I made the test, I have a AudioWerk8 and a 828 in the same setup, and the cpu and disk meter is the same with the AW8 and 828... (while playing a heavy session, and bouncing to disk)