Firewire Devices

Pretty much a home recording noob. I have a Lexicon Omega the quit working on me and I'm looking for a new interface. I'm thinking that I'd like to have a Firewire device rather than a USB and I would really like to have one in a mixing board format such as the Alesis Multimix 8 Firewire. In fact I've not seen any other brands of Firewire devices in this type package.

I'd like hear opinions and experiences from you all as well as your suggestions. I don't know much about Firewire other than you can apparently send more than two channels to the computer simultaneously. There may not be too many occasions when I would need more than two channels at a time, but I can think of a few scenarios where that may be possible. I am not familiar with the Firewire chips, what's good, what's obsolete, what's compatible with my computer. I have an older computer running Vista. The mobo is a D865PERL, I've got a 2.8 Ghz P4 and 4GB of DDR2 RAM. It was built about eight years ago as a CAD workstation.

I have the opportunity to buy a NIB Alesis IO/26 at a very low price. The specs on it seem pretty impressive to me, but I gather that it is a pretty old model. I know so little about digital recording I'm not even sure if I can use this thing.

I was using the software that came with my Lexicon, Pro Tracks Plus 2.2. The Alesis Multimix units come with Pro Tools LE I think, and the IO/26 used Cubase LE, but the soft ware is not included with it. How do I find out what software is compatible with what devices and is also compatible with my computer?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

...and I would really like to have one in a mixing board format such as the Alesis Multimix 8 Firewire. In fact I've not seen any other brands of Firewire devices in this type package.

I'm learning -- I guess this type device is called a control surface. Found a couple of different brands; an M-audio Project mix and a Tascam FW-1082.

I will be recording guitar/bass/vocals/keyboard.

I am a big fan of the io26. how cheap is really cheap?

Well . . .firewire`s future is in doubt -a new pc comes w/ usb3 now, and mac has the thunderbolt . . . trouble is, the hardware for musicians is just catching up to usb2. SO -try usb2 -you may find it fixes what you didn`t like about usb1 ,or wait for usb 3 or tha bolt if you switch to mac . . .

ahh, compatibility -it`s a hedgemaze, so just be patient. Major retailers are not above obfuscating the situation and blaming you later! You may have to do some hunting through forums to get a clear picture, or go with someplace you can talk to someone, try to get emails in writing . . . like maybe sweetwater . . .

That`s so funny about Bach! He was pretty much forgotten until Medelsohn, and later Pablo Casalis retconned his image!

I'm an Alesis user myself — MultiMix 12 Firewire — and it's served me well for several years. Beyond the channel capacity and control-surface environment, the patch bay is quite useful too. Latency quite low, almost zero.

I always run about a generation behind the cutting edge of technology, so I'll stick with Firewire until you can get refurb gear with Thunderbolt. It's worked well so far!

I am a big fan of the io26. how cheap is really cheap?

I PM'd you with some details on the sale of it. What can you tell me about the IO/26? I saw that the Firewire chip is a DICEII. I have read in places about compatibility issues with different firewire devices... I think most devices now are firewire 400 but I'm not sure what's compatible with my computer, which is why I posted my mobo model. I have found a Texas Instruments Siig 2 Port firewire 400 PCI card for about $35. However I need to make sure it is not PCI Express, which my computer does not support.

I'm an Alesis user myself — MultiMix 12 Firewire — and it's served me well for several years. Beyond the channel capacity and control-surface environment, the patch bay is quite useful too. Latency quite low, almost zero.

This is exactly the unit I wanted. I missed out on one by $8 on Ebay. Still kicking my self on that one. It went for $265. There's another one that will probably go for around the same. There is ALSO a MultiMix 16 Firewire with a Buy it Now price of $300. Probably way more than I would need, but how could someone resist? The price is pushing it for me right now, as I need a couple of other small items as well.

I always run about a generation behind the cutting edge of technology, so I'll stick with Firewire until you can get refurb gear with Thunderbolt. It's worked well so far!

I'm exactly the same way, with almost everything - computers, keyboards, motorcycles...

well, prolly way beyond what you want to spend but the RME stuff using FW800 is REALLY good. I'm using a RME FireFace 800 unit myself and it has been flawless. Some of their lower end FW units show up used and if in good working order from the previous owner are excellent pieces.

RME Audio Firewire interfaces overview (http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_overview_firewire.php)

FWIW, I'm recording some stuff with a borrowed io/26. It's a little buggy but I'm also on an older Mac running 10.4. I'm told it works better with 10.5.

Anyway, the layout is simple and everything works as advertised. If I set the mic correctly and keep an eye on levels I get clean recordings.

BUT, if I just need to record one or two channels I use a FastTrack Pro. It's USB. To me there's no difference in USB and Firewire.

How do I find out what software is compatible with what devices and is also compatible with my computer?

Method 1: Read. This method isn't 100% accurate, because you'll read specifications and "system requirements," and all the technical info will tell you that some particular combination of devices and software will work fine, on your computer -- and it won't. This has happened to me more than once, FWIW.

Method 2: Get your hands on stuff and hook it all together, and see if it works. This method works 100% of the time, and glaringly reveals the deficiencies of Method 1 above.

Seriously speaking, most recording software is going to get along with most interface devices... but there really are NO guarantees. A good return policy is your friend!

Just as a heads-up, some people run into Firewire compatibility problems (some devices are finicky, and want to see a Texas Instruments Firewire chip on the computer). I suggest, be mentally prepared to stub your toe on that issue, and have some idea how you're going to get past it, if you do.

Just as a heads-up, some people run into Firewire compatibility problems (some devices are finicky, and want to see a Texas Instruments Firewire chip on the computer). I suggest, be mentally prepared to stub your toe on that issue, and have some idea how you're going to get past it, if you do.


When I built my DAW, I had acquired a RME FF800 interface, hence it uses FW800 for connection bandwidth. I purposely sought an aftermarket FW PCI card that had the TI FW chipset on it. Found one, installed it, works beautifully. RME Audio even has white papers on PCI cards and the ones that are shoddy that they have tested and the ones that are truly to IEEE1394A & B (400 & 800 respectively) standards compliant.

Just as a heads-up, some people run into Firewire compatibility problems (some devices are finicky, and want to see a Texas Instruments Firewire chip on the computer). I suggest, be mentally prepared to stub your toe on that issue, and have some idea how you're going to get past it, if you do.

I already have a TI Firewire card on my Ebay list and have earmarked money for it. The seller of the device i am interested in specifically stated that he had issues with the device until he installed the TI card.

I am now the proud owner of an Alesis MultiMix 12 Firewire - $260 and I'm very happy. The IO/26 went for $170, but I decided I would rather have the MultiMix. You all will be hearing more from me in the future. I have been following some of the RIP threads and am amazed at the depth of knowledge, the patience and the willingness to help that I have seen here. I look forward to talking with you all later.