http://www.residentaudio.com/
 
This interface looks GOOD!  20x faster than USB-2, 2x faster than USB-3. Why not?
 
From the "features": Near-zero latency for virtually instantaneous recording and playback.
 
J

Thunderbolt really doesn't bring much new to the table for tower based DAWs.
 
Thunderbolt provides access to the PCIe bus... and high end graphics.
We've had those capabilities in a tower for a long time.   
Where Thunderbolt is beneficial is in small form-factor machines (where you'd otherwise not have access to the PCIe bus).
 
Near zero-latency monitoring has been a part of every audio interface I can remember (easily going back 10+ years).
At four channels, you're nowhere even remotely close to saturating the USB2 bus... let alone USB3.
The Resident Audio unit may well be fantastic... but connection via Thunderbolt won't buy you any additional performance... nor will it allow you to achieve lower latency than using a PCIe unit.

Jim,
At what point does USB2 and 3 start to choke? Thanks.
 
Rocky

jbow
http://www.residentaudio.com/
This interface looks GOOD!  20x faster than USB-2, 2x faster than USB-3. Why not?
From the "features": Near-zero latency for virtually instantaneous recording and playback.
 
J

Hey, J, the front of that interface looks cool, but read the fine print regarding compatibility on Windows machines.  I am all for TB and hope to see more like these.  Having TB on my (relatively) new laptop has saved me from having to settle on a USB interface (which most lack multiple analog outs).  I have a firewire interface which I connect to the TB port via an Apple adapter. 
 
Just a side note, the Resident unit is not the first TB interface.   When I heard that UA was putting out a TB interface, I got excited (which is why I bought a laptop with a TB port).  But I soon found out that UA's Apollo interface was not compatible with Windows via TB.  However, I was relieved to learn that firewire was compatible with TB when using a TB to FW adapter.  So all worked out for the better... except I had to pass on the UA because it was no longer cost effect to replace what I already have.
 
Just as Jim explained the "not so real" advantages of TB above, I am not giving up on the probability that TB will be fully compatible with all TB/Windows machines in the future and neither have I take the Apollo off my list either (the advantage of high quality DSP and effects in one box).  Just waiting it out for now.
 
Kind regards,
 
Living Room Rocker

bluzdog
Jim,
At what point does USB2 and 3 start to choke? Thanks.
 
Rocky

When you look for a second and third pair of outputs.

Hi Rocky,
 
The Fireface UFX is a good example of a well conceived/built/supported USB2 audio interface (also has Firewire).
30 channels of I/O, sample-rates up to 192k.
That enough I/O for most studios... the exception being larger commercial facilities.
 
When dealing with HDs/SSDs
USB2 sustains ~ mid 40s MB/Sec.
USB3 sustains ~550MB/Sec.
USB-3 has plenty of bandwidth for massive I/O
 
Thunderbolt is a fantastic thing for laptop and small form-factor machines.
But (for tower/rack users), access to the PCIe bus and the potential to use higher-end graphics is nothing new.
 
 

Thanks Jim but now you got me re-thinking my next interface choice. I just might end up with a UCX.
 
Rocky

If you have the budget, anything RME is a great choice.
They're the type of audio interface that'll last 10+ years.
Install it... and you'll never give it a second thought.
 
Note that the latest Mac Pros have gone the way of the iMac (all expansion options being external - USB3 or Thunderbolt).  I think that move was a bit premature.  Because it's new (and smaller market share), the cost of Thunderbolt peripherals is high.  
Using an external 1TB HD as an example:
The SATA HD (inside a USB3 or Thunderbolt external enclosure) sustains ~150MB/Sec.
There's plenty of bandwidth (either way)... so you'll achieve the full speed of the HD in both cases.
Thunderbolt HD is ~$200
USB3 HD is ~100
 
BTW, If it sounds like I'm bashing Thunderbolt, I'm not.
It's a great development for small form-factor machines... that would otherwise not have access to the PCIe bus.
 

RME states that USB 2 can handle 100 channels - that would be 50 channels in and 50 channels out.
Then there is MADI which will handle 396 channels in and something like 398 channels out.
Only certain type USB 3 ports will work, something about blue and brown perhaps. I would have to look that up.
 
If Sonar can handle at least 64 tracks (and maybe unlimited audio tracks) still different in that sense, but if routing to different outputs like ADAT then 24 or 32 or 48 channels should work also.
 

spacealf
RME states that USB 2 can handle 100 channels - that would be 50 channels in and 50 channels out.
Then there is MADI which will handle 396 channels in and something like 398 channels out.
Only certain type USB 3 ports will work, something about blue and brown perhaps. I would have to look that up.
 

If you're using USB3 ports to connect the RME MADI USB unit, you want to make sure you're connected to Intel USB3 ports (integrated into Z77 and Z87 motherboards).  Blue signifies USB3... but the color doesn't mean it's an Intel USB3 port.