Is a breakout box necessary?

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Level 1

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Is a breakout box necessary?

I just got Logic Pro, and will be using a bunch of Native Instruments Audio Units. I'll also probably be Rewiring Reason into Logic as well. Does using a breakout Box like the Duet 2 help with all this virtual-audio processing and sequencing?

Or is a breakout box mostly used for I/O?

I used to think it helps with the audio processing tasks, removing some of the load off the main processor. But I am not so sure. I feel like the limitation of the DAW setup is entirely processor, ram and disc access speed?

Thanks

Ben

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 22, 2013 1:29 PM

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Answer 1

kcstudio

Level 4

1,808 points

Jan 22, 2013 11:14 PM in response to benmillion

Put in very general terms: No you don't need a breakout box per se. But I immediately have to admit that it can be very convenient to own one. And thinking about I/O, it's not the Output but the Input I would miss. Think about the electronically mismatches you have to manage when recording say, guitar/bass or a condenser mic straight into your mac……….

My opinion: to monitor only you don't need a BoB, to record stuff conveniently you do yourself a favor using a BoB.

Have a nice day!

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Answer 2

benmillion Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 24, 2013 1:30 PM in response to kcstudio

thanks kcstudio,

I Emailed tech/ sales for another well-known audio company yesterday and they gave me this reply (paraphrased):

"Getting xAudioCard wouldn't really affect xAudio Software's load in either direction. It could prevent audio drop-outs, though, and allow you to use a higher sample rate or smaller buffer size (which affects the latency) than your built-in audio card."

interesting. I work in graphics professionally, and am well-aware of the benefits of GPU rendering and processing. This is a huge area of development vastly improving render times. I was kind of expecting the same sort of development in the audio world... but am only a hobbyist in that industry.

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Answer 3

kcstudio

Level 4

1,808 points

Jan 24, 2013 9:55 PM in response to benmillion

"Getting xAudioCard wouldn't really affect xAudio Software's load in either direction. It could prevent audio drop-outs, though, and allow you to use a higher sample rate or smaller buffer size (which affects the latency) than your built-in audio card."

Ben, this sounds perfectly reasonable from their point of view. But overseeing your lineup of AU's my primary concern however would be RAM and a decent external HD. Otherwise cross fingers when in the race with the duo Logic and ML.

Best of luck!

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Is a *breakout box* necessary?

Is a breakout box necessary?