Hi can anyone tell me the difference between FireWire, USB and PCI-based Audio I/O and what should I choose in case of getting Korg PA1XPro and/or Motif ES?

Also, does anyone knows a good combined Audio-MIDI card? Audio should be 41-48/192.

Is there any special stores that assemble music computer workstations? Or probably it would be cheaper to assemble on your own..

Thanks.

Thank you.

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New Yorker

Here's a condensed answer: Firewire is a very fast interface although the newer USB 2.0 supposedly may give it a run for the money once USB 2.0 devices become more common. USB 1.0 devices are the slowest although I use a Tascam US-122 interface, which uses USB 1.0, with my laptop for 96k/24bit stereo field recording and haven't had the first problem with it. The problems seem to come up with interface speed when you are trying to run more than 2 I/O's of audio at one time. PCI is very fast and is my personal preference for a desktop audio interface. On my studio desktop, I use the M-Audio Delta 1010LT PCI interface for audio and MIDI which meets all the specs, has plenty of I/O's, and has given me no problems at all.

Here's a company that makes desktops especially for audio production:
http://www.digitalaudiowave.com/

I think the only reason you might want a specially-designed audio desktop would be if you plan on using it in the same room that you are using for recording. The so-called "audio desktops" have baffling to reduce the noise from the power supply and air circulation fans but are otherwise pretty much ordinary desktops.

[This message has been edited by The Pro (edited 11-05-2003).]

Thank you, The Pro.

Anyone else to contribute - you're more than welcome to do so.

OK. Does anyone can give me opinions on sampling rates: from 44.1 (for CDs) and up to 192K now.

I know that when you record analog with 192K and then convert it to 44.1, to cut a professional CD, the quality is better than if you'd it everything using 44.1.

But is it really noticable beyond 96KHz? I mean you need to go back to 44.1 anyway to have your music on CD and I kinda understand if you'd use 96K to record original analog data. But beyond 96K? The latest rate is 192 and I'm sure it'll go higher.

Answer to your first question:

Both the Korg Pa1xpro and the Motif ES only support USB 1.1 specification. But my recommendation is the Computer you either build or buy should have 'both' a USB 2.0 and Firewire interface. The reason being is in case Keyboard Manufacturers start making their Keyboards with USB 2.0 and/or Firewire interfaces you will already be good to go on your computer if and when they do. And USB 2.0 and Firewire Cards/interfaces are very inexpensive these days.

The Korg Pa1xpro has a SPDIF Digial Output (Stock). The Motif ES has an option where if you purchase their AEIB2 add-on Board (or maybe it's the mLAN Board??), it will give you an SPDIF Output. But your looking at extra money for the add-on Board.

Answer to second question:

Here's a top of the line Professional Sound Card that you may find to your liking: http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--AARQ10
NOTE: This Card allows you to input directly to your Computer 'without' the need of a Mixer.

Answer to your third question:

If you're capable of building your own Computer you may want to seriously consider doing just that. It won't necessarily be cheaper but you can pick and choose the Hardware/Software you want to go with it which is very convenient. PS: I am not aware of any Company off hand that sells Audio Computer Workstations but I'm sure they're out there somewhere. You may want to do a Google search: www.google.com and type in the search field - "Audio Computer Workstations" (without the quotes) - and see if you get any hits.

Best regards,
Mike

Sampling rates:

44.1 KHZ. 48KHZ is needed for video work.

I have compared recording between 44.1 and 96khz and I could not find a noticible difference. Although 96KHZ gives you the psychological impression that it is better.

But remember, by using 96KHZ instead of 44.1, you will cut your track count into half. This also includes cutting plugin instances as well.

Almost all professional sound cards support 96KHZ anyway. But when actually recording, 44.1 khz is the chosen model.

What software will you be using determines to some extent what sound card is better suited. What do you have in mind? I will avoid USB2.

You can assemble DAW yourselves or better... research exactlty what parts you want and have a reputable professional place build them for you.

Just some snippets...

Get USB2. It is supposed to be compatable with older USB 1 peripherals, and I haven't seen any major complaints about things not working so far so I conclude its a pretty safe bet. I'd make sure I had at least 4 ports, however, preferably using hardware rather that a hub. A lot of (newer) PC motherboards have 4 USB2 ports as standard (2 as sockets in the back and 2 as header connectors on the motherboard), and some cases have front USB ports built in that can be wired easily to these motherboard headers.

Audio soundproofing of the PC: I appreciate the logistics may not allow this but with suitable drilling of holes in wall and creative cabling, why not put the base unit of the PC in a different room?

Sound Card: I've got an Audigy1 Platinum EX, which suits me fine and is very quiet compared to my previous budget items. However it has significant restrictions in terms of the available sampling rate / bit depth combonations and I don't think the Audigy (either V1 or V2) is the card for you.

Hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by MacAllcock (edited 11-06-2003).]

I'm a little confused: USB or PCI based Audio card?

If keyboard has out to PC via USB does it mean that I don't need audio card? Or if I need should I connect it via SPDIF (or analog) to audio pci card or vis usb?

The USB on keyboards is for MIDI signals. If you have a USB then it means that you really don't need a MIDI interface, you can connect your keyboard to the PC via USB and install proper drivers to write MIDI tracks in a software sequencer, control a softsynth, sampler etc ...

If you want to record audio out from your keyboard then you would need an audio card. USB or PCI? well, this depends on what you are trying to achieve. Are you planning to record just the keyboard or do you plan on recording more instruments and do mutli track recording? (Like recording guitars, keyboards, drums, vocals ...)

If you plan on recording only keyboards with may be vocals, then I think USB 2.0 is just fine. It's easy to install and it would work great for a few tracks of audio. If you need more inputs and outputs for multi track recording then go with a PCI card, USB 2.0 doesn't seem to handle multiple tracks of audio very well also there are latency issues with playing back audio in a multi track environment.

I have an Echo Gina for multi track recording, MIDIMAN MIDI interface for my audio workstation for multi tracking and an Ego Systems USB audio interface for my laptop for Soft Synths.

OK, how I can found out if the keyboard will connect using USB and not MIDI interface?

Let's say Motif ES or Pa1xPro?