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Audio interface
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Newty
Im about to get an audio interface, and i noticed a lot of them say buss powered. Im mostly buying this for my speakers and audio latency.
Does it make a difference if i buy a buss powered one or not? (i have a solid pc) THANKS :)
inversoundzzz
bus powered means iot's powered by the usb bus, it's powered by the usb section of you pc, this has a low voltage limit on it...so you cant run gear that would require a huge amount of power flow.......but if youre just recording one mic, with phantom power and all your synths and beats are in the box then you wont need a huge external power supply anyaway.....

if iots not bus poweerd that means it got an external powerr supply....likee a DC power supply that sticks direct in to you wall outlet.
echosystm
Bus powered is fine. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for value.
scorpradio
quote:
Originally posted by echosystm
Bus powered is fine. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for value.


First hand experience with this as I just got one about 3 months ago. SOLID with no drama.
echosystm
quote:
Originally posted by clay
sux imo! avoid bus powered if possible, the outputs usually isnt fully balanced +4 levels, but rather -10dB (less than 1volts I believe).


mayne. We have been over this.

1. The outputs are balanced. The output voltage has nothing to do with this.
2. The outputs are +4db. The manual says so.

I can't confirm #2, as I haven't bought one yet. However, I don't think they would put it in the manual if it wasn't true.
2wice
Can confirm, the DAC is very noisy.

OK for really basic stuff but I regret getting it.

A/B'd with a $20 ebay sabre dac will reveal it's no good.

Never even used the inputs though.
Looney4Clooney
quote:
Originally posted by clay
the output voltage decide +4, 0 or -10 levels. all usb powered devices are -10, balanced or not...

you will eat your words when you recieve it, and btw levels or balanced isnt its true issue, the biggest issues is the drivers, its faulty 24bit support and its distortion. i did not test the inputs though, maybe it have good mic amps or seomthing, i dont know. i dont think its meant for monitoring but for on the road recording. good luck.


Apogee duet.

4 and -10dB are frames of reference regarding your supposed headroom in the analog realm. Bus powered is fine unless you are using the inputs.
Looney4Clooney
you are missing the point,

these numbers exist for specific reasons relating to the analog world. They are a means of keeping your system calibrated.

Think about it. it isn't saying anything other than a relationship. Anything can output 4 dbu because it is a reference. It isn't real.
Newty
well I ordered the scarlet 2i4 because im too cool for the 2i2. Thanks for the advice along with the confusion.
Looney4Clooney
Voltage is voltage. Applying a reference doesn't change the fact that turning up the volume emits more power. So call it what you want, it exists only to calibrate systems between the digital and analog realm.

DJ RANN
This is all true but the voltage references are directly tied to the relating inherent signal to noise ratios, which are a greater range with +4, meaning the issue of harmonic distortion/noise is more crucial.

So while they can do different references as a means of calibration in signal flows, the other (and most important factor of noise) is the primary issue.

That means that cheap interfaces that do +4 will sound "worse" than at -10 due to the lower signal level (and S/N ratio).

To me, it's ing crazy that with all the advances in audio technology and moore's law etc, the Audiofire range are still some of the best sounding dacs in their price range. Truly bizarre, especailly as they seem to be declining as a company.....
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