Dave
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General question about USB/Firewire interfaces
My Soundcraft Spirit Folio mixer (connected to an Audiophile 2496) needs repair so I'm considering a USB/Firewire interface.
My needs are basic. Most of my work is with samples. However I do a reasonable amount of guitar/singer recording, and have need to be able to play and hear bass, synth etc. when not running Sonar. For example, I want to be able to play electric or bass along with an mp3 without running Sonar. I've plugged in an old Tascam US-122L and cannot seem to do this with it. I assume this is the "zero-latency direct monitoring" that most units have?
I'm looking at the FocusRite SaffirePro 24 and the Roland Quad Capture. Is there some PC-based routing control panel or similar function that will allow me to listen to plugged in instruments without running Sonar (which I'm assuming is the direct monitoring they mention in their spec sheets)? This of course was possible with my Soundcraft analog mixer and I'd hate to lose this capability.
Thanks for any help.
Dave
-------------------------- David Ewer
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Guitarhacker
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Re:General question about USB/Firewire interfaces
2012/02/05 15:49:20
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Some of the plug ins for amp simulators will run as stand alone versions. No DAW needed to host them.
Also.... I have a Saffire interface by Focusrite. And I use a hardware based POD2 which plugs into the Saffire.
My computer is a dedicated DAW. And when I turn it on, after it boots, the Saffire configures itself and the comm link is established..... I can play the guitar and also the mic, if connected will become active and I can use it to play or rehearse without starting the DAW platform (X1).
Guitar is plugged into the Saffire and the monitors are out of the Saffire so I guess all the computer does is let it operate.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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AT
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Re:General question about USB/Firewire interfaces
2012/02/05 17:47:05
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The TC Impact Twin should power up in whatever ready state you save, so no need to have the computer on. At least the TC 48 does, and I think the other does too. So you wouln't need SONAR - just like the above Saffire. Several interfaces do - you just need to check.
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http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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fireberd
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Re:General question about USB/Firewire interfaces
2012/02/06 06:32:46
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The Saffire Pro 40, that I had, was able to work as a standalone device (with one of the firmware updates). I'm not sure about the new Roland Octa-Capture I have, although it has internal direct input monitoring.
"GCSG Productions" Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors, Ozone 5, Studio One 4.1 ISRC Registered Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:General question about USB/Firewire interfaces
2012/02/06 08:37:10
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Just a note: On the Saffire, it does require the computer to be on for it to work. However, opening Sonar is NOT required.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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CjbAn
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Re:General question about USB/Firewire interfaces
2012/02/06 12:24:08
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Ths SaffirePro 24 (Firewire) works standalone without the need to power up the PC. But the Scarlett USB by Focusrite needs the PC to work. The M-Audio Fast Track Ultra is able to pass through only the first two channels in Standalone mode.
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ChuckC
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Re:General question about USB/Firewire interfaces
2012/02/07 15:01:59
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Herb, I have the pr40 also and though I have not yet done it, I do believe (as fireberd said) it can run standalone with an update or 2.
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fireberd
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Re:General question about USB/Firewire interfaces
2012/02/07 17:41:56
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One of the firmware updates that were done, a while back (like maybe two years ago) updated my Saffire Pro 40 so it could be used in a standalone configuration.
"GCSG Productions" Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors, Ozone 5, Studio One 4.1 ISRC Registered Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
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