Audio Interfaces

Firewire and USB 2 interfaces have their advantages, but if you need serious channel counts at high sample rates, the PCI card still rules, and ESI's heavyweight recording system caters for a huge range of input and output formats at up to 192kHz.

When it comes to computer audio interfaces, what is it that we are really paying for and how does the price relate to the quality of the A-D/D-A converters?

We demystify the powerful internal routing and mixing engine within Emu's recent popular range of computer audio interfaces.

Digidesign have given the most affordable interface in their Pro Tools range a makeover, with a new case, new preamps and some additional features.

I own a Focusrite Liquid Channel (which is great!) and would like to connect it to my MOTU 828's digital input...

Echo are the latest soundcard manufacturer to move into the market for Firewire interfaces, and the flagship of their range promises 12-channel analogue I/O with pristine sound quality.

Emu's latest audio interfaces use the Cardbus format to provide 16 inputs and outputs at prices that put many Firewire interfaces to shame...

The new PC interfacing standards of USB and Firewire brought with them the promise of 'hot-plugging' and easy interconnection. But some musicians have discovered, to their cost, that the reality doesn't always live up to the promise. We investigate...

Focusrite's first computer recording interface looks to cover all the bases with plentiful I/O, DSP effects and flexible monitoring arrangements (including surround).

If you are on a tight budget, ESI's new PCI audio and MIDI interface gives you more ins and outs for less money. But how does it stack up sound-wise against its pricier competitors?

M-Audio have been producing impressive, inexpensive controller keyboards for some time, and have recently moved seriously into Firewire interfacing. The new Ozonic seeks to combine both capabilities in one product — and all for less money than you'd think...

This two-in, eight-out interface is the first audio product from British Firewire specialists Miglia Technology.

Not content with acting as a high-spec control surface and Firewire audio interface for your studio computer, this new high resolution console seems determined to outshine it with its slick touchscreen graphical interface and onboard VST plug-in hosting.

Providing six audio inputs and eight outputs for £350, with the bonus of high-quality mic preamps, Presonus's Firebox sounds almost too good to be true. Is it?

With two market-leading Firewire audio interfaces already part of the MOTU stable, where does the new mobile recording-oriented Traveler find its natural home?

Edirol have pioneered USB 2.0 as a format for connecting audio interfaces, and their latest unit offers 10 inputs and 10 outputs, plus high resolution, at a price that compares well with Firewire alternatives.

Joining the growing market for one-box devices that combine audio and MIDI interfacing with control-surface functionality, Tascam's latest Firewire unit might be all you need for multitrack recording and mixing.

Terratec's range of affordable audio interfaces now includes two attractive Firewire options: the eight-in/out Phase 88 Rack FW and the two-in/four-out Phase 24 FW.

The best latency I can get is 35.5ms, with a buffer setting of 1536 samples and sample rate of 44.1kHz. There are no pops or clicks, but there is a very slight audible delay between pressing a key on my Novation keyboard and the sound coming out of the speakers. Surely there must be a way to get the latency down to 11 or 12ms without the crackles?

Mackie's first foray into the market for desktop USB devices is a well specified 24-bit/96kHz stereo interface with built-in DSP effects.

Soundscape's new range of PCI cards offers a unique combination of features, including latency-free, DSP-assisted routing and mixing, the freedom to combine VST plug-ins and DSP-based effects, and multi-client driver support for all host-based Windows recording applications.