Purchased an HP Envy Beats laptop stupidly not realizing there was no way to put FireWire on it and thus obsoleting my MAudio 410 interface :-( Worse, the HP Envy *only* has USB-3.0. So now I am trying to find an audio interface for it and this is the most bizarre situation I've ever heard as absolutely no audio cards support USB3.0. I am thinking of trying a Roland Octa-capture (USB2.0) with it but the driver download page has these 2 caveats:

* This product cannot be used with a USB 3.0 port that is not compatible with USB 2.0 specification.
* If this product does not work correctly when connected to a USB 3.0 port, you will need to connect it to a USB 2.0 port.

Anyone know if this Roland device works on an HP Envy? I assume it is the same driver architecture as the Cakewalk VS stuff so have to imagine someone has tried it? I must admit I am really hesitant to go and buy anything right now though b/c even it *does* work, $700 is a lot(!) to spend for an interface that may not work on a computer upgrade in a few years.

Other options I suppose are the Presonus 1818VSL or Tascam 2000, or maybe an expensive interface from RME. Or should I simply wait until a USB3.0 device comes out (anyone know any rumors)? Show of hands how many people are in the same boat?

Thanks for any feedback,
Ryan

presonus VSL line are USB2 devices but the drivers support connecting to a USB3 port.

USB 3 should be compatible w/ USB 2.  I'm not sure why it wouldn't work.  I've got an usb 3 port and the only thing it was funky on was a 16 gig thumb drive which took a couple of plug ins to get the drivers working.

I would try the Roland (after hearing back from members and maybe some mods here) and return it if it doesn't work.  HP does a few funky things, but all the all-in-one manufacturers do.

@

Thanks AT and Scook, I read quite a few horror stories on the Presonus site about incompatibilities with the VSL line with USB 3.0 but they most posts were complaining about usage on Macbooks and Dells (looks like a patch may have corrected the issues on the Macbook). I can't recall if anyone singled out HP specifically. May just need to try it out and hope for the best. Thanks, Ryan

check out RME Babyface USB

yes I got an HP Envy and it works w/ usb1,2,and three type interfaces without glitches.

Thanks OQ! Hopefully I'll have everything running smoothly in the next few weeks. I'll report back with whatever option I end up with. Regards, Ryan

message moved to: http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.ashx?m=2701422

I have a good friend running an Octa-Capture on an HP Envy and it works great.

Cool, thanks Brandon. Good to know!