Thanks Jim, and others.
 
My USB3 is integrated in the MBO chipset, but I dont use it for anything. I have added another interface to the front from the MBO for USB2, which is where I run my interface and midi controller from. If I run them from the rear direct off the MBO USB2, they are not active on boot, something I can't seem to fix. The only other USB devices are an external drive, and keyboard/mouse, wifi if I need it, but not usually plugged in. I did have a printer, but found the interface gave problems, so it's unplugged too. The MBO I have doesn't have the TI chipset, but the new MBO will have.
 
But a suggestion above, to add a USB2 card, might be worth considering. I will borrow one and see if that fixes my USB issues first. Then consider a MOTU interface or similiar.
 
Ok. More to consider. Thanks guys.

Onboard firewire 1394a chipsets in new build?....From my knowledge of them...the MB builders may use the cheapest renderings of?...to cut cost in manufacturing.
 
Not all TI chipsets are the same...So you should seek out that info,... if you are going to use that 1394 interface, get the specific type or ID number of the Chip needed from the manufactures of the audio device being sought, known RND... firewire Cards performers suggested, and not performing, are usually posted on their sites.
 
A dedicated 1394a or b Card is more robust and will probably suit you better?...I think is what Jim is suggesting (to me again)....in his post to you....
 
I would stay away form firewire usb combo cards...I heard lots of problems with them...but that is old stuff...not sure about now.

Another vote for using a dedicated PCI USB card here.

I 've found issues, especially dropouts at low latencies, with motherboard USB ports (on Intel chipsets). A dedicated USB2 card made those problems go away. Just remember to go through the Windows power schemes and make sure it isn't putting USB ports to sleep.

As for firewire, there are all kinds of issues reported with Windows. Chipset matters, and there can be problems with the firewire driver as well (is one that works for audio even included in Win8?). Where the new(ish) Thunderbolt i/o system with its claimed firewire compatability fits into things I don't know.

Audio interfaces generally don't like USB3 sockets and I've found issues connecting some MIDI over USB gear to them as well.

Thanks Sir Les. It's 2.30am here, and I am not at my brightest, and getting older!!!
 
I will certainly investigate which card to get a hold of. Still going to try a USB card first though, just to see if I can get around whatever is wrong with my current MBO.
 
Have a couple of options now to follow, and of course, some new gear to get! Always a bonus lol!!
 
Kind Regards
 
Dave.

Thanks tlw. Yeh, not going to sleep, just doesn't wake up on startup. Then after that, occasional interupts, that either knock the driver out, or cause gliches. As I generally have no problems running things from the USB2 connector off the MBO, I assume that it's a physical hardware problem on the MBO with regards to the other USB2 ports on the MBO rear chassis, which are split into 2 groups. Don't know. I've spent a lot of time trying to solve it and have given up. We shall see!!!

I hope you still have hair to pull out.?..regardless of time zones!....lol....wisdom comes with age "they" say...although not always as such for long!...and who are ...they... is a question we should ask...more often!
 
Cheers!

I've had good results with both usb and firewire.  I look forward to dumping firewire in the future, but for now it allows me to record 16 tracks at once with profire 2626 and octane by M-audio.   I'm still waiting for the amazing usb3 interfaces that allow for 24 tracks to be simultaneously recorded.
 
Firewire has NOT been reliable on laptops for me.  I'm sure if I bought a laptop designed for audio, that would be remedied.  I've owned a handful of usb interfaces (mobile pre m-audio, ART tube duo thingy, zoom R16, etc)  All of them have worked pretty flawlessly once drivers were correct and sonar settings (wdm, asio, etc) set properly.  This goes for desktop and laptop.

BlixYZ
 I'm still waiting for the amazing usb3 interfaces that allow for 24 tracks to be simultaneously recorded.

The better USB2 audio interfaces can already do this...
The Fireface UFX has 30 channels of I/O... connects via USB2... and can operate glitch-free at a 48-sample ASIO buffer size (round-trip latency of 4.9ms at 44.1k).

I've used/use both Firewire and USB interfaces. Over time, USB's limitations became less of a problem, and Firewire's advantages became less relevant. Both can be touchy, for different reasons, so Jim's advice is well-taken.
 
However, regardless of theoretical performance issues, there are also practical considerations. Frankly, I think the issue of computer ports and audio is a mess. Firewire is fading; laptops often don't include Firewire any more. You're okay if there's Thunderbolt, but now you're dealing with TB-to-FW adapters. USB 2.0 is fine, but can be touchy (separate PCI card with ports has been my solution) and 3.0 has a lot of complexities - check out the RME web site for the hoops you have to jump through for reliable USB 3.0 operation. Thunderbolt looks promising, but is costly and hasn't really gained traction.
 
USB interfaces outsell Firewire ones by a wide margin, similarly to how VHS outsold Beta and we know how that ended up. So I think the odds of having an interface that works with more computers goes to USB. But, Firewire isn't going away any time soon so if your computer supports it or you have a Thunderbolt interface, in theory a Firewire interface won't become a doorstop for quite some time.
 
So really, I think the bottom line is they both can work fine, but whether they do or not depends on your specific computer.

I use both interfaces, Firewire for audio and USB for everything MIDI. Never had any issues.
I thought it would be more stable with 4 external synths (up to 64 MIDI tracks) and a control surface sharing USB. While all audio goes over firewire. Never tried everything over USB so I really can't compare.