The internal sound is ok, it's limited to a stereo mini-jack and 16-bit audio. I've only used the internal with a USB keyboard, and headphones.

Much better quality with an external interface that actually has the capability to hook-up a mike or guitar.

8)

The internal sound is ok, it's limited to a stereo mini-jack and 16-bit audio. I've only used the internal with a USB keyboard, and headphones.

Much better quality with an external interface that actually has the capability to hook-up a mike or guitar.

yupp!!! and if a seperate interface then firewire, stay away from usb for audio... both HDs and interface FIREWIRE only.

Why do you like Firewire over USB?

TG

So the internal card is not good enough for vsts like EWQL Silver/Platinum. Is that true? How about the Presonus Firebox, will that help?

USB uses more CPU cycles to manage itself. I have never tested a USB2 device that has come close to it's theoretical max bandwidth.
It approaches that speed in bursts, firewire appears to have a higher sustained bandwith.

True firewire devices don't require a computer, like the devices that you connect directly to DV camcorders, their brains are in firmware. Firewire home theater solutions identify and send the proper signals to surround systems.

I work in a lab that tests a lot of devices, for use in airborne data systems. Believe me there is a lot of hype out there.

Most current firewire drives only use a small part of the spec, but we should soon see some standalone audio devices in the years to come.

8)

gdoubleyou wrote:

USB uses more CPU cycles to manage itself. I have never tested a USB2 device that has come close to it's theoretical max bandwidth.
It approaches that speed in bursts, firewire appears to have a higher sustained bandwith.

same experience here, i had specially trouble (and some of my friends / collegs) with using USB in a chain, firewire, no problem specially for laptops on one bus HD, Interface, external burner, no probs at all... i think it's because usb transfers data "info after info" and firewire "info next to info" like on a multi lane highway, so you can get easy a sort of "data traffic jam" with USB.

the actual transfer speed is also much higher, the specs on paper i believe is 400mbs for firefire and 480 for usb 2.0 that's rubish and equals the specs of behringer gear, and we all know what it is like in reality!

appart that you don't get any serious quality interface as an usb version, only the cheap stuff.

i forgot that firewire carries more power as well, you can really run a motu traveller or m=audio firewire card for example bus powered, but you will have probs doing that with usb...