RME Fireface vs M-Audio Fast Track Ultra

[Psykadelik]

Hey everyone!

In past I have been using the Echo Audiofire8 but have recently found that it actually had the same round trip latency as the U46DJMKII which is about 9ms which is fine but could be better. After researching for quite a bit, I nailed my choices down to two of these cards.

RME Fireface 400
M-Audio Fast Track Ultra

From what I read they are both pretty reliable and work pretty darn well (yes apparently the Ultra doesn't suck). I was set on getting the Fireface but the guy I was talking to at Saved by Tech brought up a interesting point. A lot of gear nowadays sound good and the price difference between the FTU and FF is pretty big ($1000).

While the Fireface does have better converters and RME is very rigorous with their driver support, I learned that both the Fireface and the FTU have relatively the same round trip latency @ which is 6ms which is very good. Near PCI interface like speeds. The Fireface on 48 buffers though is 4ms which is even better. My question is though, would it be worth that $1000 difference if I am just using for DVS use? I mean I love good quality gear but practically speaking, the FTU will do the trick as well.

What do you guys think?

[polocorp]

It's pretty simple, only pick up a fireface if you are going to record/produce tracks with it. For mixing a fasttrack or an Edirol FA66 will sound/feel basically the same.

the 1000e diff you would be paying is for great recording converters and pre-amps... which you don't need for mixing

[Blackbrook]

It's pretty simple, only pick up a fireface if you are going to record/produce tracks with it. For mixing a fasttrack or an Edirol FA66 will sound/feel basically the same.

the 1000e diff you would be paying is for great recording converters and pre-amps... which you don't need for mixing

Thanks for this words! I wish the german forum members who are discussing about audio interfaces can read this. There the conclusion is that the U46 MK II for example is not the best choice. To me, for djing and using timecodes or an external controller, this audio interface is more than satisfying.

Greetings,

Steve

[Psykadelik]

Polocorp you bring up a good point. In fact I kinda had my eye on a MR816 for recording music and producing. I heard that has really good pre-amps and pretty good converters. The Fireface would be helpful with mobile recording though, but even then how often am I gonna do mobile recording?

[polocorp]

I wish the german forum members who are discussing about audio interfaces can read this.

Fell free to pass on the information blackbrook

but even then how often am I gonna do mobile recording?

Indeed, its a little scary to invest a big amount of cash in a "mobile" device. safer to keep it in the studio...

Although i do exactly the opposite

[Blackbrook]

Fell free to pass on the information blackbrook

Done!

[John Wo_O]

Although i do exactly the opposite

yea but that's because you're fancy

[Blackbrook]

HAHA

[Psykadelik]

Although i do exactly the opposite

yea but that's because you're fancy

And a risk taker.

[Psykadelik]

I ended up getting the Fireface afterall. The drivers were a PITA to install though. After that I tested it. Sound quality is excellent. Latency wise, it's nearly twice as fast as the Audiofire. At a sample rate of 44.1kHz and 64 buffers, the round trip on the Audiofire was 11ms. With the Fireface, it is 6.15ms. At 48 buffers 5.45ms. No notable latency when scratching. VERY HAPPY with the overall performance boost. As soon as I get my room treated, I'm gonna grab a mic and check out the pres.