On 27 10 2003 at 9:28 am -0500, Frank Rubino wrote:
There's been some discussion about firewire and usb audio interfaces. I posted a question (perhaps not well phrased) about the difference in quality between using one of these interfaces versus just going from a good low-noise mixer (I use Behringer eurorack mx 602A) into the mac's line in. I want to know if this is just gear lust or what is is the real trade-off in using my low-cost input method versus plunking down for a firewire interface?
Well mainly, the ADCs (that's analog-to-digital converters, not to be confused with Apple Developer Connection or Apple display connector) built into the Mac's sound input are crap compared to anything of more pro quality. Same with the iMic. For example, things like noise, harmonic distortion, electrical interference (some G4's are supposedly plagued with a 60 Hz induction from the PCI bus), not to mention the much lower resolution (you won't get any higher than 16 bit at 44.1 kHz from the computer). In other words, the consideration has little to do with bandwidth (the input quality between USB and firewire is 100% identical in principle since they are both digital), it's the process that turns your analog signal digital in the first place. But if you're happy with your mixer, and 16x44 stereo is sufficient and the end result is good enough to your eye/ear, then save your cash. :) -ben -- Ben Kennedy, chief magician zygoat creative technical services 613-228-3392 | 1-866-466-4628 http://www.zygoat.ca