ASIO was intended to match up hardware with multitrack software. Digidesign's Digi002 Rack (8 channels of 24/96 I/O) is a great example. This is intended to run with Pro Tools, which runs great on Macs, but only on a very few PC's. It won't even boot on most PC's. ASIO allows us to use the DIGI002 rack with other software.
The ASIO buffers affect latency, the time delay between record and playback. A short buffer results in less latency. Large buffers result in much greater stability with much longer latency times. If you're recording and playing back at the same time and need the two to match as closely as possible (AKA multitracking, recording everything yourself but unable to actually play them at the same time), this is VERY important. If you're only playing back, it's not, so go ahead and set your buffers to maximum.
USB1 and 2 are both inherently flawed for pro audio. USB requires processor time, which Windows will allow to be snatched up by any app that thinks it's the most important thing running on your computer (such as Windows MESSenger, Windows Update, or pretty much any other dumb junk running on your machine. When these evil pieces of garbage decide that they're the most important thing in the universe, it will grab your machine and cause intensive apps like hi def audio to crash.
Fire Wire doesn't do this. It handles data internally on its own dedicated hardware. This is why high end multitrack audio gear is decidedly fire wire.
It's a shame that (apparently) certain computers don't properly implement and/or handle fire wire. This kind of stuff is all too common among IBM compatible computers.
Even though USB2 supposedly handles data @ 480 mbps, it can do this only intermittently. Average USB2 speed is much slower. Fire wire handles data at 400 mbps constantly. Try transferring big files to and from a fire wire external HD and a USB2 external HD. The difference will blow your sox off.
I'm new here. I'm a producer/A&R for a major jazz label. I've been a studio musician for many years. I sing and play a racked Lee Oskar C Major diatonic harmonica chromatically, guitar, and organ bass pedals (at the same time). I also play 5 string electric bass and double bass. Here are some of my tunes on mp3.com.au
mp3.com.au/IronManMikeCurtis
(I'm consistently in the top 5 on their Blues and Jazz charts - and I don't even live in Australia).
-Mike
ASIO was intended to match up hardware with multitrack software. Digidesign's Digi002 Rack (8 channels of 24/96 I/O) is a great example. This is intended to run with Pro Tools, which runs great on Macs, but only on a very few PC's. It won't even boot on most PC's. ASIO allows us to use the DIGI002 rack with other software. The ASIO buffers affect latency, the time delay between record and playback. A short buffer results in less latency. Large buffers result in much greater stability with much longer latency times. If you're recording and playing back at the same time and need the two to match as closely as possible (AKA multitracking, recording everything yourself but unable to actually play them at the same time), this is VERY important. If you're only playing back, it's not, so go ahead and set your buffers to maximum. USB1 and 2 are both inherently flawed for pro audio. USB requires processor time, which Windows will allow to be snatched up by any app that thinks it's the most important thing running on your computer (such as Windows MESSenger, Windows Update, or pretty much any other dumb junk running on your machine. When these evil pieces of garbage decide that they're the most important thing in the universe, it will grab your machine and cause intensive apps like hi def audio to crash. Fire Wire doesn't do this. It handles data internally on its own dedicated hardware. This is why high end multitrack audio gear is decidedly fire wire. It's a shame that (apparently) certain computers don't properly implement and/or handle fire wire. This kind of stuff is all too common among IBM compatible computers. Even though USB2 supposedly handles data @ 480 mbps, it can do this only intermittently. Average USB2 speed is much slower. Fire wire handles data at 400 mbps constantly. Try transferring big files to and from a fire wire external HD and a USB2 external HD. The difference will blow your sox off. I'm new here. I'm a producer/A&R for a major jazz label. I've been a studio musician for many years. I sing and play a racked Lee Oskar C Major diatonic harmonica chromatically, guitar, and organ bass pedals (at the same time). I also play 5 string electric bass and double bass. Here are some of my tunes on mp3.com.au mp3.com.au/IronManMikeCurtis (I'm consistently in the top 5 on their Blues and Jazz charts - and I don't even live in Australia). -Mike