Interface/ Software that is compatible w/ XP x64?

NicJimBass · #1 05-18-2009, 09:45 PM

Hey all,

Looking to take my first step into home recording, mainly for my own enjoyment, etc. I have a fairly robust PC that I built for graphic design, and I'd like to use it to record. Does anyone know of a good USB interface and/or recording software in the $300-500 range that will play nice with Windows XP x64 (64-bit)? I see alot of companies specifying only 32-bit Windows, and I don't want to get stuck with something I can't use. I'll be recording things one at a time, so no need for a bunch of channels, 2 would work fine. Any and all help is appreciated!!

Nick

chicago_mike · #2 05-19-2009, 01:50 PM

i would stay away from usb myself, but m-audio makes a few usb devices that do indeed have X64 drivers.

I remember pleading with many companies when W2003 (X64) first came out for drivers and compatibility. SX3 was the first daw to at least use more than the 3gig(1.5 reality) limit of a 32 bit OS. Sonar 64 was still beta, and rumoured more or less.

I currently use a Profire 610 and like it a lot. If $ was no object.. rme.

Last point: W7 is coming along very nicely. Im running the beta with Nuendo and its working flawlessly and uses a lot less resources than Vista. its very comparable to xp and in a few ways better. Im running the 64bit rc.

NicJimBass · #3 05-19-2009, 05:30 PM

Thanks for the info Mike!

I only specified USB as I tried using a FireWire interface (Presonus FirePod, I think) and the FW port I had wouldn't work. Tried buying a FW card, and IT didn't work either. I've never had any problems with USB. What are the pros and cons?

2minkey · #4 05-19-2009, 08:28 PM

PCI interfaces are great. low latency. try looking at echo audio. they make decent x64 drivers. SONAR and reaper are pretty popular softwares....

Kipaste · #5 05-25-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

Thanks for the info Mike!

I only specified USB as I tried using a FireWire interface (Presonus FirePod, I think) and the FW port I had wouldn't work. Tried buying a FW card, and IT didn't work either. I've never had any problems with USB. What are the pros and cons?

Presonus interfaces are a bit picky, the firewire card needs to be equipped with a texas instruments or VIA chip or you need to get lucky. A FW card made by SIIG is the usually recommended option in the US. Also having a nvidia nforce 4 series motherboard can be a problem. But when it comes to preamp and construction quality, I think presonus is way abowe m-audio. However, m audios driver support is way better than presonuses. Presonus has recently released 64 bit drivers, but I don't know how they work, since I'm running a 32 bit system until most plug ins are updated to run on a 64 bit system. I know a lot of people who have been able to use their presonus interfaces with a 64 bit OS since they presonus released the drivers, but I somehow get the feeling they're still a bit "beta" if you know what I mean. You might wan't to check out the homepage forum for more info.

USB works usually well if you keep things simple and don't put too much pressure on them. Even though USB is theoretically faster than FW 400, in practice it's usually way slower. Also using USB takes some cpu power which can be a problem on computers with limited CPU power (I'd say, depending on the load, this can be something between 3ghz single core to 2,4 ghz quad core). USB can result in high latency and some unexpected problems during high cpu usage. I would generally advice against going with USB IF you're planning on using a lot of plug ins and recording and playing back multiple tracks. If you just wan't to record ideas or just wan't to keep your approach very simple, USB will work just fine.

PCI would be the best bet, at least in theory. However, the card being inside the computer can bring some unwanted noise. I've only owned the m audio 2496 pci card. Even though it was fast, I think changing to presonus external audio interface was a good move for me. There's a wee bit more latency but it's still very much acceptable but the sound quality is on a whole differend level. But there must be better sounding alternatives to the 2496 so I think this could be a very good solution if you can find a good card. Unfortunately, I can't help with that.

DocBop · #6 05-25-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

I've never had any problems with USB. What are the pros and cons?

USB can't handle large numbers of tracks so as long as you're doing small sessions your cool.

NicJimBass · #7 05-26-2009, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. If anyone else wants to chime in, please do, as I want to make an informed decision. Thanks!

4-Stringer · #8 05-30-2009, 06:05 PM

(some) Line6 products come with 64-Bit drivers. I've got the UX2, very cool device!
Using it with Vista 64, but there are XP64 drivers, too.

The UX2 comes with a lot of amp-simulation. Recording software is included, too.

Nick Kay · #9 05-30-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

USB can't handle large numbers of tracks so as long as you're doing small sessions your cool.

That's a little misleading. The project itself can handle however many tracks your CPU and RAM are up to processing. A USB interface only limits you on how many inputs or outputs you can use at any given time (in the case of USB 1.1, that's usually two inputs and two outputs)

NicJimBass · #10 06-05-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-Stringer

(some) Line6 products come with 64-Bit drivers. I've got the UX2, very cool device!
Using it with Vista 64, but there are XP64 drivers, too.

The UX2 comes with a lot of amp-simulation. Recording software is included, too.

I ended up going with the UX2 myself, as POD Farm was included. I didn't want to have to buy a guitar amp just for recording, and my budget was slim to begin with! I'm using Reaper to record, and so far I'm having a blast! It's soooo easy to do, and I haven't even scratched the surface of it's capabilities!

jaz2375 · #11 06-05-2009, 11:31 AM

I've been using this http://tascam.com/products/us-1641.html for the past year and a half. Never had any issues. I made sure I upgraded the firmware from the site and ditched the recording software it came with and used Adobe Audtion 3.0.

Have recorded 12 simultanious inputs at once and it never skipped a beat.

UncleFluffy · #12 06-05-2009, 11:43 AM

I just got an Edirol M16DX. It's primarily a 16 channel digital mixer, but the nice thing is that you get all 16 inputs available to your DAW over the USB channel so it doubles as a 16-in, 2-out interface.

More versatile than a dedicated interface and somewhat less $ as well.

Sound quality is excellent, build quality is fine for studio but I wouldn't gig with it.

UncleFluffy · #13 06-05-2009, 11:43 AM

Drivers: Mine came with XP drivers in the box, Vista and 64 bit drivers available from the website.

UncleFluffy · #14 06-05-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

That's a little misleading. The project itself can handle however many tracks your CPU and RAM are up to processing. A USB interface only limits you on how many inputs or outputs you can use at any given time (in the case of USB 1.1, that's usually two inputs and two outputs)

For USB 2.0, I can run all 16 inputs at 48kHz, 24 bit no problems.

Nick Kay · #15 06-05-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

For USB 2.0, I can run all 16 inputs at 48kHz, 24 bit no problems.

Yeah, but that's 2.0. That technology hasn't percolated through the prosumer audio market as well as it should have just yet. It wasn't until about a year and half, maybe two years, ago that I started seeing 2.0 interfaces that could keep up with their 1.1 brothers in quality and cost-effectiveness. And it wasn't until the beginning of this year that they started becoming commonplace.

jspomer · #16 06-11-2009, 01:13 AM

I have Vista x64, which unbelievably I've managed to make work well

I use an E-mu 0404 USB 2.0 audio interface, which has great converters and has resulted in some quality recordings. I would also get a pre-amp too because you'll need the gain...I use a Studio Projects VTB-1 tube blend pre-amp to get a nice warm tone.

As for software, I use Sonar 8...when you buy it, it gives you the option of downloading the 64 bit version, which I find runs a lot faster and smoother than 32 bit. The combo of that setup has worked great for me. My $.02 anyway