Probably a very obvious question...

[jenderfazz]

...but for some reason, after months of planning, I'm having doubts, so...

If I pick up a USB or Firewire interface (ie. Firepod), will I need to upgrade the stock card that came with my PC?

I've got a lot of latency recording audio (ie. bass) or midi (from a keyboard), even with Asio4All. This is my main concern, more than sound quality. Will latency issues be fixed using a Firepod?

And finally, what if I use midi? My midi controller goes into my computer through a midi-to-USB converter, and therefore would bypass the interface. Will I still have lag? (I know the Firepod has midi inputs, but not all interfaces do...)

Thanks!

[hunta]

Originally Posted by jenderfazz

If I pick up a USB or Firewire interface (ie. Firepod), will I need to upgrade the stock card that came with my PC?

You might? By "stock card" do you mean your sound card or firewire card? A recording interface will completely bypass your sound card (you can remove or disable the existing one). If the existing firewire in your PC is not made by Texas Instruments, you will need to get an add-in card. I'd recommend a card from SIIG, you can get a TI one for around $40.

I've got a lot of latency recording audio (ie. bass) or midi (from a keyboard), even with Asio4All. This is my main concern, more than sound quality. Will latency issues be fixed using a Firepod?

If you have a suitable firewire connection it should fix the latency.

And finally, what if I use midi? My midi controller goes into my computer through a midi-to-USB converter, and therefore would bypass the interface. Will I still have lag? (I know the Firepod has midi inputs, but not all interfaces do...)

Thanks!

That's fine. Your midi isn't what's lagging, it's the triggering of the sound and playback through your existing sound card. If you use USB midi, the sound is still going through whatever audio driver (and hardware) you have selected. With a proper ASIO driver and interface you should be fine. I use a Saffire Pro/26 which has MIDI in/out on it, but my keyboard is an Edirol PCR80 that connects by USB. Works like a champ.

[kevinmoore73]

Originally Posted by hunta

If the existing firewire in your PC is not made by Texas Instruments, you will need to get an add-in card. I'd recommend a card from SIIG, you can get a TI one for around $40.

I do not believe this to be a universal truth. I have a VIA firewire card that works fine.

[stranger0]

Originally Posted by jenderfazz

...but for some reason, after months of planning, I'm having doubts, so...

If I pick up a USB or Firewire interface (ie. Firepod), will I need to upgrade the stock card that came with my PC?

Nope. You're new interface will take over all sound duties, be it mac or PC.

Originally Posted by jenderfazz

...
I've got a lot of latency recording audio (ie. bass) or midi (from a keyboard), even with Asio4All. This is my main concern, more than sound quality. Will latency issues be fixed using a Firepod?

Quick answer: Yes, longer answer: Not necessarily. I get latency issues out of my PC using my M-Audio Fast Track Pro and recording my bass for some reason yet out of my mac book pro, that thing flies.

Originally Posted by jenderfazz

And finally, what if I use midi? My midi controller goes into my computer through a midi-to-USB converter, and therefore would bypass the interface. Will I still have lag? (I know the Firepod has midi inputs, but not all interfaces do...)

While I can't answer this directly because I know squat about midid an interesting thing I learned with my Presonus stuff. I've got the faderport, I thought initially it would be hooked up via my Firestudio or even my Digimax...nope, it's a USB device into my laptop...So, the computer would be handling the duties for the faderport.

[stranger0]

Originally Posted by kevinmoore73

I do not believe this to be a universal truth. I have a VIA firewire card that works fine.

There's lots of talk on the whole firewire card issue on the Logic 8 forums and some on the Presonus as well. It seems there are some firewire cards to avoid.

[hunta]

Originally Posted by kevinmoore73

I do not believe this to be a universal truth. I have a VIA firewire card that works fine.

It's not a "universal" truth, but it's extremely sound advice to stick with TI for firewire. Most sequencer software and pro audio hardware companies explicitly recommend TI and will not even provide support for you if you have something else. I sent a very expensive laptop back to Dell because of the firewire (ricoh). Some may advise otherwise, but proceed with non TI firewire at your own peril.