Discover the Best FireWire Audio Interfaces
1. RME Fireface 802
USB/FireWire Audio Interface
Amazing Interface
Reviewed by Seth on B&H Photo Video
I've been recording for about 15 years. This interface was recommended to me by some friends who do commercial audio work for a living. I chose this unit for the amount of ins and outs possibilities, the built in pre-amps, the converters, and the knobs on the front of the interface in lieu of all digital mixing on some of the other RME's. (I'm a little bit old school.) Take it for what it's worth, but when using the proper outboard gear in combination with this interface, my vocals and digital tracks no longer have to be re-tracked at the studio. The lows and highs are wonderful. You can make a professional recording with this interface and the proper outboard gear, there is no question. It was surprisingly easy to set up, and the only thing that had a little bit of a learning curve was the built in mixing/routing software. Support is amazing. Quality is amazing. I am now an RME man. Thanks to these guys for putting such an amazing product in this price range out on the market. This is only the third time in my life I have written a review for a product. Hope that tells you something. ... More
Excellent product, like no other
Reviewed by Antoine on B&H Photo Video
With the Fireface 802, RME seems to have find the perfect balance between reliability VS performance (ultra low latencies) and functionnality VS esthetics. At the time of writing, I couldn't find a better audio interface for sale in this product range. I've been using it for a few weeks and it works flawlessly, using either firewire or USB. I run it on Win7 Ultimate 64-bit on a custom built PC. The software side (drivers, Totalmix FX and Digicheck) are simply excellent. We get frequent updates and low CPU loads (DSP chipset included in the hardware) to complete this great package. As always, if using firewire, a good chipset must be used on the computer side (Texas Instruments is recommended). I had to try a few PCI cards to get good stability, but problems were always related to chipsets on the computer side. ... More
2. RME Fireface UCX
36-Channel USB/FireWire Audio Interface
Audio Interface for a live performer
Reviewed by CaptainUnderpants on B&H Photo Video
I use an audio interface for live performance, so in many ways this interface was overkill. The need for crystal clear D/A conversion is not as critical for live performance as for recording. I was stepping up from a very satisfactory Focusrite Scarlett 2i4. I purchased the product not exactly knowing how the increased capability would really benefit my setup. I purchased it because of RME's reputation, and just the desire for better equipment. I was nervous that I was wasting my money as this unit costs 7 times more than the 2i4. But I am happy to report that the flexibility in routing and mixing through total mix has solved a lot of my problems. 1) I wanted to be able to run my mic through my system. The focusrite couldn't add reverb and I didn't want to send a dry signal of my vocals to FOH. Totalmix can add reverb so I now can run it through my system. Having my mic run through my system is important because: 2) I have been running IEM's, but often I am the only one in the band that is. With Totalmix I keep my FOH sound separate from my IEM mix and adjust everything to taste. The extra inputs combined with the total mix software really allow for infinite flexibility. No longer to I have to figure out how I am going to solve any routing / mixing problem. I am excited about this product and do not regret the extra expense. ... More
Drivers, preamps, quality, Price...
Reviewed by Grovestand on B&H Photo Video
Everything about this device has lived up to my expectations. It has great Pre-amps. It's portable, sturdy, and pleasant to look at. The sound quality and i/o options are all fantastic. If I had any qualms at all, it would be the following: *What does USB3 compatible mean? All USB2 devices are USB3 compatible, what differentiates this from them? *The GUI for TotalmixFX looks like it was designed in 1998 and hasn't changed. Luckily it works great and is very flexible, but put a pretty face on it RME! *It's very expensive for Prosumer gear... But it's very cheap for Professional gear, so maybe it's a bargain... Not very serious drawbacks, and the positives are too many to mention. Thanks RME! Also, B&H was very amenable to me. I tried a few other interfaces that didn't click with my setup before deciding on the UCX. Each time one of them let me down I brought it in and they accepted my return without question. Thanks! ... More
3. Universal Audio Apollo Quad Firewire
Audio Interface with UAD Quad-Core Processing
Definitely worth the money!!!
Reviewed by Travahnti on Guitar Center
I initially purchased the twin duo for my mobile rig. I loved it so much I decided to also buy the quad. It's a workhorse and the UAD plugins are an added bonus. Definitely worth the money.
i am very satified, i should have bought it a long time ago.
Reviewed by m blaq on Guitar Center
great piece of equipment,quality thats undeniable.. top of the line plugings.....a little confusing getting started as far as recording if you are not studio savey
4. MOTU 4pre
6x8 USB/FireWire Audio Interface
Find your sound.
Reviewed by forest on B&H Photo Video
The Motu 4pre audio interface is designed for musicians that like to experiment with recording. There are 2 unique features not seen in the competitor's devices. First, each of the four inputs has its own preamp with its own phantom power or -20dB pad. This gives tremendous flexibility for using multiple microphone types for recording an acoustic guitar or DI box and mics for electric guitar. The competition gangs the inputs in groups of two, or globally. Second, there are some tools for analyzing the track waveforms to help with creating a wide stereo field and minimize phase cancellation. If you just want to make a sound, go with the competition's equipment, it is inexpensive and reliable. If you want to find your sound, go with the Motu 4pre. The 4pre literally comes suspended in its packaging and stood up to UPS delivery. The manual thoroughly covered each feature. Although I am not a fan of multifunction potentiometers, the trim pots are sturdy. The software has to be downloaded from the Motu website, which went smoothly. The Cue mix software duplicates the 4pre controls if you prefer clicking and dragging to pushing and turning. The manual covers how to install the proper driver for several DAWs. Also check your DAW's website for instruction, not only for setting up drivers but also routing the signal. The 4pre can be used live by itself or in a home studio with computer. The accompanying Cue Mix software allows for zero latency monitoring of live input. I measured round trip latency at 7.5 milliseconds, using the USB connection, 64 samples per buffer on a duel core, 2.4 MHz AMD Turion II P540, with windows 7. Not a speed record but not a slouch either and in the same ballpark as the competition. A firewire connection is also available for those unwilling to use windows 10 or that have older equipment. In doing my research of audio interfaces in the August of 2015, Motu already had a driver for Windows 10. The completion did not. ... More
Great Sound; Fiddly Controls
Reviewed by Michael on B&H Photo Video
I purchased the MOTU 4pre to upgrade from a Steinberg CI2, which only has two mic preamps. The MOTU produces clean, clear sound, and enables me to record my drums using two LDC overheads and dynamics for kick and snare. No complaints here. The included AudioDesk software can be a little buggy. For instance, there are color schemes listed in the Setup menu that simply do not work; others will create tracks that show white tracks on a white background, which can be a real headache for editing. Compared to the Steinberg, which provides an intuitive interface for recording and editing in Cubase AI5 (included with the CI2), AudioDesk seems downright clunky. (Note: never thought I'd call Cubase intuitive, but compared to AudioDesk, it is.) Some controls on the interface itself can be bothersome. For instance, the knobs on the front panel serve several purposes. If you want to turn phantom power on channel one, you need to press the Mix button to cycle through several mixes to get to trim mode, after which you can push and hold the button for channel one to get phantom power. Then you need to return to the Mix button to cycle back into the mix you were using. Another little headache has to do with how the volume controls are affected when the interface is plugged into or removed from the computer. When the interface is plugged in, the volume levels on the computer jump automatically to maximum volume regardless of where they were set before. This is hearing loss just waiting to happen. Similarly, the interface allows you to control the output volume from the computer itself, but muting sound on the computer will only mute playback volume. The surge from turning phantom power on or off will still play through the headphones. Again, risky if you own cans that can handle high sound pressure levels. I've already learned how to live with the little quirks, and I'm enjoying studio quality sound. ... More
5. MOTU 896mk3
Hybrid USB/FireWire Audio Interface
Motu 896mk3 hybrid interface
Reviewed by Ken R. on Reverb
i was upgrading my interface from two presonus fire studio tube units daisy chained... i need more than 8 tracks coming in for recording bands in a "live" situation...the first 8 tracks are for the drums... i'm recording on logic X with a mac pro setup, mostly on el capitan (yes i know, an ancient system, but it works well) ...in fact, my mastering program won't work past yosemite, so the bulk of the recording is on el capitan, then the files are pulled into wave burner on the yosemite side and mastered... i had the problems of getting the system to run on both sides, and currently i have one 8 pre linked via light pipe, and not experiencing any problems thus far.... it is important to follow the instructions carefully on the set up... i had some issues at first, however, after updating the firmware on the 896mk3 hybrid, everything smoothed out and worked fine....for those linking up on logic X, the channels from the 8pre are not going to come in on channels 9-16 like you think they would....they start on channel 17 in logic X and go thru channel 24.....i'm sure you could route these however you want, but this is working for me on the inputs..... the 896mk3 hybrid channels 1-8 link up to 1 thru 8 on logic X, Adat A1-A8 link up to channels 17-24 on Logic X...just a tip for those trying to get a signal going thru and not getting it to "work right"....my plans are to link another 8pre to the 896mk3 hybrid to complete 24 tracks.... at this point, i have tracked 15 tracks simultaneously for a band that wanted a live sound... the mac is using the 896mk3 hybrid for all the sounds coming out of the computer and i am using a presonus central station to have the ability to switch back and forth between different size monitors... preamps are very good, no noises coming in as i had an issue with the tubes "crackling" at times with the fire studio tube units...before i hooked up the central station, i utilized the 896mk3 hybrid for the sound coming out of the mac using the master volume....good sound from youtube and iTunes ...overall, i'm very happy with the setup at this point....... motu's website has some good info on linking additional units to the 896mk3 hybrid as well as the manual itself, both for the 896mk3 hybrid and the 8pre. i'm pretty stoked about the setup and extremely happy with the 896mk3 hybrid.... probably haven't even scratched the surface on everything i can do with it.... ... More
Perfect right out of the box
Reviewed by Dan-O on B&H Photo Video
This one works great on my 2012 MBP Retina in USB mode. Had to replace an interface (from a different manufacturer) that did not run in Mac OSX 10.8.2 at the time of purchase. Generates a bit of heat, but not enough to be of problem for me. Already a very satisfied owner of a MOTU Traveler that still runs on my MBP Retina (I needed more inputs with pre-amps), and the integration of this unit was seamless into CueMix FX; Litterally Plug-n-Play, but with many more options (dynamics and effects). ... More