Firewire Vs. USB (+Tacam FW 1082,1884)

Posted on Dec 31, 2004 06:36 am
zapta
Member Since: Dec 30, 2004

Hey again,
My upcoming question:
In quality is there difference between an external recorder connected by USB or connected to a firewire card? Are there any obvious differences which apply to all products?

Does any have something to say about the Tascam FW-1082 (or 1884), positive feedback negetive..
sound quality of the product?

THANKS
Zapta

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flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Dec 31, 2004 06:38 am

only post each question once please. thanks

with regards the question, i havent used any of the devices youre talking about, so i dont know myself, but somone will...stick around!

anyhoo, welcome to HRC!

whosyourdaddy00
Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004

Dec 31, 2004 11:53 am

I havn't used any of the tascam stuff, although I was really close to buying an 1884, but ultimately decided paying doubble the price for a controler wasn't worth it....as far as quality between USB and Firewire I can say if you take out all the variables (mic pres, A/D converters ect.) it's all the same, both are means to carry a data stream from your interface to your computer....now the main difference is bandwidth. Firewire can easily handle 8 channels of 24/96 audio, whereas USB tops out at two channels. so that's gonna be your decision maker. Keep your eyes on USB 2.0 stuff, I hear it's trying to compete with firewire.

peace

wyd

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 31, 2004 02:57 pm

Indeed, the differance right now is as wyd stated. Firewire is capable of carrying all the channels an interface may have and USB so far limits the number of inputs the card is allowed to run at one time to just 2. Pretty sad when you think about the fact that installing a PCI carded type interface, with or without a breakout box allows full duplex use of all the inputs you can throw at it. That is my main reason for staying away from USB interfaces for now. They are fine on a laptop were you might only need the 2 channels at once, but in my case I would get very limited use out of it. And I just cant justify spending more money for something that will do less then what I have now, just because it is trendy or supposed to be the latest and greatest thing.