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Firewire Mixers Vs USB Mixers

D

DeadMike

May 17, 2005
85
0
Des Moines, IA
www.myspace.com
#1
I'm turning to you all as I haven't been able to get a very straight answer on this one. As some of you may have figured out from a couple of my most recent posts, I'm building a home studio and trying to be as smart about it as I can.

I think I'd like to get a mixer (probably an Alesis Multimix 16 either the USB or Firewire version).

I'm a little confused on this one though...

What is the real difference between USB and Firewire connections as far as mixers go? I'll be recording to a Mac (starting in Garageband, but probably moving up to Logic ASAP).

If there aren't major differences in latency or something like that, I think I'd prefer to save some cash and put it towards some other equipment or some plug ins.

But what are the differences?
 
#2
Oh, and as I've researched different mixers, I've noticed that most Firewire mixers are available as a USB connection as well. Or at least among the ones I've been looking at.

I'd like to run an external drive simulatenously, and that uses a firewire connection, so I'd have a couple of USB ports available.

Thanks in advance.
 
#6
FW is the way to go if you're planning on recording more than a fews tracks at a time reliably. FW connections have higher sustained throughput for data transfer than USB... which means more reliable when moving larger chunks of data faster. As mentioned, you can also daisy chain FW connections too... but you'll sometimes get more reliable peformance running the drive you're recording to off another FW port.

I've never used the Alesis multimix stuff, but their products are usually pretty decent for the $$$. I do have a Mackie ONYX 1620 with the FW card and have been pretty impressed with it so far. Haven't done much recording with it so far (basically at my band's practice space for practice use), but I was able to record 16 tracks simultaneously using my mac G4 1.5Ghz laptop and the Tracktion software included with the mixer.
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#8
mrdspecs said:
I'm looking at the Alesis Multimix series too. Has anyone used those on a Mac? What did you think? The Apple website recommends them, and they seem to be pretty well set up...
Click to expand...


The connections are important, obviously, but don't overlook the quality of the pre-amps. If you can't try a bunch of small boards & interfaces in this price range, then gets lots of opinions (google reviews, ask friends w/ more direct experience, ask just about anybody but a music store salesperson. . .).

I've not used the Multimix series or any recent Alesis gear, so perhaps the pre-amps are more impressive *for their class* than the disposable 1622 I had for recording rehearsals years ago. I've always found Alesis stuff a bit noisy, as well, but again that's based on experience w/ their MEQ-230s, Quadraverbs, HR-16s, and others of that vintage. YMMV.

If you are mixing and adding effects in the computer, consider whether you need a full hardware mixer or whether all you need is a dedicated firewire interface (for a budget piece that performs well and sounds good, I've liked the eight-channel Presonus Firepod). I've got a 32 channel analog mixer for more complicated recording situations, but probably 90% of my tracking, OD, and mixing are done using only an 8 channel pre-amp/firewire interface into the Mac.
 
#9
USB 2.0=480 Mbps
FireWire =400 Mbps
But, that's just theoretical, especially for USB. For every USB device connected, this includes Mice/Keyboard/Printer etc. etc. The 480Mbps (theoretical speed) is shared among all those devices. Regardless of hubs, different physical usb ports on the PC (The Mac is a personal computer, I'm not trying to lump it in w/ the IBM clone, so don't flame me).
Each firewire port is more likely to give you an actual 400Mbps transfer instead of just theoretical, and EACH firewire port can carry 400Mbps. If you've got two firewire ports or more, I'd go firewire. If you've already got a firewire harddrive and only one firewire port, I'd contemplate swapping it w/ a good USB drive and getting a firewire mixer.
Another thing, with the firewire standard, drivers and data transfer seem to be much more stable vs firewire.
BTW +1 for the firepod :bassist:
 
#12
All I can say is the digital out from mixer to computer is the best thing since strap locks! For years I was running the audio out of ther mixer into a sound card in the computer and always having to mess with levels. I now have the Mackie 1620 with the Firewire card. The levels now just pre-set themselves, and I can get great recordings evertime with no work. The faders on the mix board do not even affect the signal coming in via FireWire. (although the "gain" pot does effect the firewire output). Not sure of the design objective here, but it sure makes for dead easy recording. The Mackie has instrument-level inputs, so you can plug right intio the board if you want (but I prefer the tone of the Avalon U5 direct)
 
#14
I'm not aware of any interfaces that use FW800... there might be some, but I havene't seen one. Not sure why they haven't adopted 800... seems as though it hasn't been openly embraced by computer and audio manufacturers as 400 was.
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#15
Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I just read a review of the Alesis MultiMix16 USB2.0 and it will do individual tracks into the PC via USB. I need a mixer and would like to upgrade from my E-MU 1820M at the same time. How would you rate the Alesis MultiMix stuff today vs. the like of the new Presonus stuff, etc.?
 

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