M-Audio Audiosport Quattro

actionslacks wrote on 9/7/2001, 9:04 PM

Is anyone using this yet? I'd post a link to their product page but I'm not sure that would be kosher with SF (do a Google search). It's a USB, 4 in, 4 out box that you can use to record with a laptop. All I've ever heard about USB is 'it blows.' I'm wondering if M-Audio has successfully addressed USB's shortcomings.

Comments

Rockitglider wrote on 9/8/2001, 10:56 AM

Hello,

They claim 0 latency but I don't know yet. But I am planning on getting one also, or simmilar, but it will be USB.

See ya, Rockit

trockman wrote on 9/8/2001, 8:11 PM

USB is "OK" for audio since it makes audio the priority. USB is NOT OK for MIDI though because the latency is 3 times higher than standard parallel port MIDIO and the jitter is twice as high - this translates into drifting timing and if you put both audio and MIDI onto the USB port, the audio takes priority and they are soon out of sync.

Also, don't forget that USB audio devices are usually restricted to 16 or 20 bit audio (for recording) because of the bandwidth. When hardware and computers emerge that conform to the USB 2.0 spec, we will probably see some more powerful USB audio devices that can handle 24-bit recording not just 24-bit conversion.

http://industryclick.com/magazinearticle.asp?magazineid=141&releaseid=4750&magazinearticleid=56628&siteid=15

(Mix Magazine)

http://www.rme-audio.com/english/index.htm

(click on Tech Info and then on Unrecognized diSturbing Bus: USB kills audio)

songdog wrote on 9/20/2002, 12:48 PM

I'm glad I saw your message. I'm in the market for some kind of USB interface between my laptop and my digital 24 track (Roland 2480). I want to create loops in acid (drums, perc, etc) and drop them onto the 2480. I also want the flexibility of changing parts of those loops later or replacing the loops outright with a click for a real drummer. If I've already laid down scratch tracks, I want to make sure everything stays tight. That's why I thought I might need midi capability.

The Quattro seemed the most budget-conscious way to get both audio and midi in/out, but from your message I'm not sure it's the wisest solution. I've also considered the MAudio duo. The 2480 has great editiing capabilities and it probably wouldn't be too difficult to line samples up that way. Suggestions? Comments?

Thank you.

John_Cline wrote on 9/20/2002, 1:03 PM

I bought a Quattro to use with my 2Ghz P4 Dell M50 "workstation" laptop. It would do 2 channels fairly reliably, but using it for 4 channels was glitch hell. I took it back and got the RME Multiface. It was a lot more money, but you get what you pay for.

John