|
Avid Pro Audio CommunityHow to Join & Post Community Terms of Use Help Us Help YouKnowledge Base Search Community Search Learn & Support |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
Any suggestions? In my current setup, I have an iMac core 2 duo, 3.06ghz w/8g of ram. Also a 17" macbook pro, 2.3 ghz, 8gb ram. PT 10 and 11.
Both computers can do firewire or usb. I'd have to daisychain the firewire audio drive on the iMac (done it before, no problem), but on the macbook pro, I could either stick to my Lacie ssd on the thunderbolt port for audio, or use a firewire audio drive and run the Saffire Pro through the thunderbolt port with the thunderbolt to firewire adapter. I have three usb2's on the macbook; interface, axiom pro 61, iLok. The macbook pro with mBox3 is my current preferred setup. I'm upping to 8 xlr ins. So, presently, either system works. But for the future, especially with the macbooks, it seems as though there will be less usb ports! I'm seeing two thunderbolts, but only two usb3's. And of course, no express card, so to use UAD, I'd have to daisychain a UA Satellite. I'm also noticing no ethernet on the 15" models with two thunderbolts! What a difference from what I have now! (Cheez-------You probably have to get a thunderbolt Cinema display to get enough connectifivity to run a laptop system. So much for portability!) So; the Scarlett is newer, but Focusrite have confirmed current compatibility and at least unofficially committed to keeping their firewire stuff working with thunderbolt. The only other differences are the word clock and connectivity to iOS devices with the Scarlett, and I believe, somewhat better tracking latency with the firewire. I plan to record up to 8 tracks simultaneously, using all 8 ins of either device. And I like the future "upgradeability" of both with the optical digital and spdif to increase io later. Can usb2 handle recording 8+ tracks simultaneously? Any advice, insight and recommendations are appreciated, I'll probably pull the trigger this weekend. Thank you for your time. The DUC is a great resource! Tim |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
Quote:
I would go with FW interface before any USB2 connections as I think there will be a significant difference there but that is just "My opinion" and I guess there will be other thoughts so I will stick with my thoughts and use the Firewire. If USB2 can handle 8 track recording at the same time I would think Yes as USB2 has been around for awhile and music has been made on that config but I stand corrected if this is incorrect If you want to use the T/Bolt ports there are great adapters like Tbolt - FW and Tbolt - ethernet etc and it works perfectly. Best Regards Christopher
__________________
Best Regards Christopher #thestruggleisreal South Side Music Group WEBHOME |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
Quote:
Tim |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
USB performance on newer, more recent interfaces is as good or better than firewire at any buffer. It can also easily handle the amount of I/O on the unit, and then some.
This is why even Apogee has gone almost exclusively to USB 2 on their newer products like the Duet 2, Quartet, and even the high end Symphony IO. People have discussed the Scarlett 18i20 on Gearslutz and it goes down to a buffer of 32, same as firewire. I have personally used a USB 2 interface, the Komplete Audio 6, and at any given buffer size it was actually lower latency than the equivalent buffer size on my firewire 003. So, there should be no worries there. I highly recommend that you go with the Scarlett, because it's a newer interface and will probably be supported longer. Also, this allows you to keep your interface on a separate buss from any firewire hard drives you might have, which also helps performance. Plus, as is starting to be evident, manufacturers are moving more to USB and away from firewire, as are the Apple computers (and Windows computers were never that big on firewire to begin with). |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
Quote:
Maybe someone else can chime in here but if you want my opinion (15 yrs of Pro Productions and charting songs) I am certain you will be very happy with that setup
__________________
Best Regards Christopher #thestruggleisreal South Side Music Group WEBHOME |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
Quote:
Thanks again. Tim |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
Quote:
My guess is yes. Tim |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
Tim,
I don't have any experience with the Scarlett; but my experience with the Saffire has been great. It works great with a TB-FW adaptor, also works well daisy chained (but can be tempermental). As for lack of USB ports, I ran into the same issue on my machine. I ended up using a Belkin active USB hub for my Keystation, wireless mouse/key combo, and iLok. Use the second USB port on my MBP for a USB backup drive. If you're thinking 16 tracks is in your future, you will definitely get it going with a Saffire Pro 40 and Octopre. Good luck.
__________________
FBR recording - https://www.facebook.com/fromthebase...cordsrecording @FBRrecording - Instagram Rig MBP 15" High Sierra 10.13.3, i7 2.6Ghz, 8Gb DDR, 750Gb 7200rpm, PT 2019.5, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Octopre MkII, Glyph GPT50, Avalon 737sp, AMS Neve 1073's, API 512c, CAPI 312's, DW drums, Fender Guitars/Amps, AKG, Rode, Sennheiser, Neumann U87 & KM184's, Coles 4038, Equator D5 monitors |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
So I bought the 18i20. I installed the drivers, then the firmware update as directed by a pop-up. Dutifully restarted as directed, and had no luck in PT 11 or 10. Pro Tools would see the mic in's, but would not register any audio. Scarlett Mixcontrol worked, but no go with 10 or 11.
At this point, very frustrated and not happy to wait til Monday for Focusrite customer assistance, I reinstalled the drivers. Voila! I'm a happy camper, having spent the last three hours tracking drums- kick, snare, OH L, OH R. Too much fun!! Thanks everyone for your insight! Tim |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Focusrite: Saffire Pro 40 Firewire, or Scarlett 18-20 usb2 on Mac?
Quote:
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 | kyluigi | Third Party Interfaces | 6 | 10-17-2013 08:14 AM |
Focusrite Saffire/Scarlett & PT9 Question... | acmost | Third Party Interfaces | 5 | 07-06-2013 11:37 AM |
Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 FIREWIRE RECORDING Interface | peterreal | 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Mac) | 1 | 01-18-2012 09:51 PM |
Focusrite Scarlett - A Steal! | RussUK | General Discussion | 45 | 05-12-2010 03:29 PM |
Focusrite Scarlett | justus1900 | Virtual Instruments | 1 | 12-18-2009 08:43 PM |