• Registered: 2009-12-27
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Choosing hardware - looking for advice

Hi Folks,
Happy holidays! I'm new to RME forum & don't own an RME product. I'm currently using Motu 896mk3 (1394a). I'm a film composer & I'm looking towards upgrading my harware. I've heard lot of great things about RME, especially their outstanding Windows support.

I typically use a lot of virtual instruments along with some live ones. I record only one live instrument at a time due to my studio space limitations.

With my current setup, on a typical project of 30 tracks, I can get as low as 20ms during composing & once I start mixing, the latency goes a high as 40-50 ms. I have a quad Q6600 with 4GB RAM currently running Vista 32.

My biggest problem with this setup has been latency and clicks & pops (unless I freeze all synths). I'm looking for a professional grade high fidelity hardware, atleast 48KHz, 24bit, internal or external, which will let me stay at < 20 ms latency. First of all, is that possible, or should I look for offloading my virtual instruments onto a second machine? I prefer to keep the synth tracks unfrozen in case I need to make changes.

I looked at all the products on RME's website, I got more confused:-) .  Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you need more info.

Thanks,
Kal

  • Ulrich
  • S/Mux specialist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-05-31
  • Posts: 316

Re: Choosing hardware - looking for advice

So you don't need many I/Os, what about the AIO card then?
Or do you really need an external interface like the Fireface (Firewire or USB) with preamps built in? Maybe the new Fireface UC maybe a safe solution for you.
The click and pop problem maybe also related with your workstation setup or your DAW software.

Regards,
Ulrich

  • Registered: 2009-12-27
  • Posts: 3

Re: Choosing hardware - looking for advice

Thanks for the response Ulrich. The AIO card seems to be a good route. Can this card be used with my existing interface (digital / ADAT I/O to the interface) without compromising quality. Or will I need an external AD/DA converter to connect my monitors? I want to avoid USB or Firewire to get a reasonably low latency.

I have firewire interface with TI chipset but it is still a hit or miss with respect to latency, esp. when I add a few orchestral and/or DSP plugins. 
Thanks,
Kal

  • Ulrich
  • S/Mux specialist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-05-31
  • Posts: 316

Re: Choosing hardware - looking for advice

lightningmusic wrote:

Can this card be used with my existing interface (digital / ADAT I/O to the interface) without compromising quality. Or will I need an external AD/DA converter to connect my monitors? I want to avoid USB or Firewire to get a reasonably low latency.

I have firewire interface with TI chipset but it is still a hit or miss with respect to latency, esp. when I add a few orchestral and/or DSP plugins.

Yes, that's what digital I/Os are for... For example you can connect your Motu to the ADAT I/Os, so you get 8 further analog I/Os, in addition to the analog I/Os of the AIO card itself.

I understand your concerns about Firewire boxes. However, the new Fireface UC (USB) seems to obtain excellent results with modern computer mainboards. Maybe still worth a try.

And your general windows setup and your DAW software may still cause problems on their own, regardless of the interface. Wich DAW software do you use?

Regards,
Ulrich