I need a new audio interface. Which one

My
EMU1820m died a second time, fired capacitors.  Rather than fix it again, I need to get a new one.  I want it to cost less than $500, be quieter than my Tone Port UX2, and as versatile as the 1820.  What are advantages of Firewire over USB over PCi?  Thanks!!!

Rme Fireface800 just brilliant and comes with Total Mix.

Larry they don't do that card now from the looks of it

I'd look at a few companies cakewalk , focusrite , RME (if budget permits)

I discount m-audio as I own a few of their products and they were ultra slow updating drivers (3 months) . Motu, some are a bit tricky to set up from posts I've seen.

USB is easier / more generic and some companies ONLY sell that.. you don't have to contend with CPU / mobo timings etc.. this was someone at a company who said pci caused them nothing but hassle , so they only do usb2

I would either buy usb / pci-e but that's my personal preference

there are no "advantages" as such.. others might argue that point I guess..

how much of that connectivity do you currently use ?

If you get something in the $500 range, you might as well get that box that comes with Pro Tools.

If you want something at a good price, I would just get the M-Audio Fast Track Pro.

The reason why I like this is because it has a headphone out jack WITH it's own dedicated volume control. The headphone out sounds GOOD. It's high quality output.

Do NOT get the Tascam as it pretty much doesn't work in 64 bit. I had to return it and join the list of everyone else complaining.

Give the Presonus FireStudio mobile a look. I've been very happy with it. Solid performance on every system I've tried it on.

http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=58

+1 on Fast Track Ultra. I'm running mine on the 6.0.8 (beta) driver and it's rock-solid. You can also apply built-in reverb to the direct monitoring - great for giving a vocalist a livelier sound in the headphones.

mauryw


My
EMU1820m died a second time, fired capacitors.  Rather than fix it again, I need to get a new one.  I want it to cost less than $500, be quieter than my Tone Port UX2, and as versatile as the 1820.  What are advantages of Firewire over USB over PCi?  Thanks!!!

Good place to look is in the "Hardware" section

REM FF 800, had 0ne, worked great , very stable great up to date 64 bit drivers, great sound, support and low latency. I am sorry I traded  it in against vs 700r.

Yeh, I loved the options of the FTU8R, wish I wouldnt have received a bad unit off the start. (I think it was a returned one that was resold to me. Once I got the new Ultra, popped in the drivers, and plugged it up, WOW. Easy, fast, no problems and sounds great. Like many others did all the research and for my needs its awsome. As for the amount of inputs, it works out fine for entire band setups,( mic 2 guitar cabs, 1 bass cab, 2 vocal mics, and drums off mixer) then go back and hit the drums seperately at a later time and anything else you want to add.