Reconsidering FireWire interfaces

[gaucho]

The conventional wisdom was always that pci was faster, more powerful and more efficient than FireWire audio interfaces in the past. (I lightpipe in from pc slaves.)

Should i wait for thunderbolt?
Dare I reconsider FireWire in this new environment?

[HCMarkus]

IMO, if you are content to use the built-in near-zero latency digital mixers incorporated in many interfaces these days, and you don't need more than 24 inputs or so, Firewire is fine.

I've been using a Firewire MOTU 828mkII for years. Coupled with an eight channel litepipe preamp module and a few additional external analog pre's, I am able to record substantial sessions (8 drum mics, plus bass, guitar and vox) with this setup. Monitoring is handled via the MOTU's built-in mixer and CueMix software. An external reverb (which is not needed with the 828kIII - it has built in 'verb) provides aural ambience.

However, if you prefer to monitor through your computer's effects, some PCI/Thunderbolt systems will provide you with a lower latency environment. Thunderbolt is essentially a PCI breakout port. With its (just hitting the marker) optical cables, Thunderbolt promises to allow very fast communication over long distances, as may be required in a studio with computer(s) located remotely from the control room.

[mikehalloran]

Dare I reconsider FireWire in this new environment?

Since we have no idea what you are running nor what you are trying to do, it's hard to say.

HCMarkus's advice is as good as anyone is going to give under the circumstances.

Do yourself a favor and post your hardware, OS and what you have loaded in your signature. This will help us all.

Then, when you ask such a question, tell us what you are trying to accomplish.