Audio Interface: PCI Card or Firewire? Which is best?

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Level 1

25 points

Audio Interface: PCI Card or Firewire? Which is best?

I am upgrading from a G4 733 to either a G5 Dual 2.3 or a G5 Dual Core 2.0. I currently have a MOTU 2408 mkII with a PCI 324 card. I know with the G5 Dual 2.3 I will need to upgrade to a PCI 424 card, but with a Dual Core I would need to go to a Firewire interface. Are there any advantages to either type of interface? This will probably help me decide on which G5 to purchase.
Thanks!

g4 733, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Nov 20, 2005 11:17 AM

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Answer 1

mlehmann

Level 4

3,206 points

Nov 20, 2005 12:22 PM in response to efrog1

It all depends of what kind of I/O you need. If you need lots of digital I/O to connect multiple ADAT devices, you'll be better with a 2408. If you need 8 pres and great converters, then, the 896HD is the one you're looking for. If you only need 8 analog inputs, everyone of MOTU interfaces will do the job. Personally, I love FW interfaces because it's easy to switch them to another computer.

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Answer 2

Justin C

Level 6

8,700 points

Nov 21, 2005 10:35 AM in response to efrog1

For safety I would recommend Firewire, because we know we'll be able to use the protocol for quite some time PCI has been moving around alot and causing PCI~ users to chase it. Firewire cards would be available for years even if Apple stopped putting FW into their computers. PCI is traditionally more professional in terms of I/O, stability, expansion-but FW is catching up-and you get some pluses using FW. RME and Metric Halo are also worth looking into.

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