Seccione
Joined: 24/12/11
Posts: 32
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Performance, RME HDSPe ExpressCard vs. USB solutions
#964359 - 16/01/12 01:44 PM
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Hi,
I'm considering getting the RME Multiface II, to be connected to mediocre
laptop with HDSPe ExpressCard.
I'm currently using USB-based audio interfaces,
and I'd like to know how this switch would affect performance - does RME's solution
add/remove any CPU overhead compared to USB?
I have quite a many USB-devices
connected simultaneously (2 x audio interface, 2 x keyboard/controller, Korg's Nano stuff,
SM-Pro Audio VST host, mouse etc.), maybe letting those interfaces go would ease some
burden? No?
Other option would be getting PCMCIA Firewire port, but somehow my
mind is stucked to the HDSPe idea.
Opinions?
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TheChorltonWheelie
Joined: 22/09/09
Posts: 867
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Re: Performance, RME HDSPe ExpressCard vs. USB solutions
[Re: Seccione]
#964364 - 16/01/12 02:02 PM
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Quote Seccione:
does RME's
solution add/remove any CPU overhead compared to USB?
The RME does everything onboard, it doesn't use the CPU at all in
that respect - there aren't many people that'd rely on the onboard USB buss, even an
expensive laptop/desktop can have a relatively cheap USB controller chip.
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Seccione
Joined: 24/12/11
Posts: 32
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Re: Performance, RME HDSPe ExpressCard vs. USB solutions
[Re: TheChorltonWheelie]
#964372 - 16/01/12 02:29 PM
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Quote TheChorltonWheelie:
there
aren't many people that'd rely on the onboard USB buss, even an expensive laptop/desktop
can have a relatively cheap USB controller chip.
Thanks for the reply!
But what about the ExpressCard
controller? Couldn't it be of bad quality as well - or does it even matter?
I
might be misinformed here, but in theory, couldn't the USB & ExpressCard controllers
be integrated to same chip? (ExpressCard standard defines that it supports USB2
connectivity as well)
If this would be the case, woud the RME HDSPe still beat
USB solutions?
(I'm a bit nervous 'cos my current setup is already pretty much
running on edge, performance wise)
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Seccione
Joined: 24/12/11
Posts: 32
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Re: Performance, RME HDSPe ExpressCard vs. USB solutions
[Re: Seccione]
#964383 - 16/01/12 03:02 PM
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Oh, one more thing: when sending audio data trough Multiface II's multiple analogue
outputs, does that affect performance compared to simple stereo out trough USB audio
interface? Or is that the thing that's done 'onboard'? When sending audio to
multiple outs means that the cpu is passing multiple audio streams to ExpressCard (PCIe)
buss - but on the other hand, no cpu-heavy mixing from tracks to stereo occurs. Am I going to run out of CPU cycles if using multi outs, or am I breathing new life to
my good old Fujitsu? 
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alzilla
Joined: 29/12/06
Posts: 22
Loc: London, England
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Re: Performance, RME HDSPe ExpressCard vs. USB solutions
[Re: Seccione]
#964493 - 17/01/12 12:19 AM
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The RME ExpressCard system will outperform any USB soundcard. Ironically the one thing
that would come close would be RME's own USB interface!
If you go for the RME system
it should place no load on the computer. That shouldn't change with multiple channels, but
of course if you're recording/playing back multiple channels that will put more strain on
the hard drive and CPU etc...
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Seccione
Joined: 24/12/11
Posts: 32
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Re: Performance, RME HDSPe ExpressCard vs. USB solutions
[Re: Seccione]
#964510 - 17/01/12 04:37 AM
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Ok, cheers.
Just gaining the confidence here.
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Seccione
Joined: 24/12/11
Posts: 32
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Re: Performance, RME HDSPe ExpressCard vs. USB solutions
[Re: Seccione]
#964513 - 17/01/12 06:49 AM
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For anyone who might be interested: Some comparisons can be found at RME's forum
(dough!) Multiface II express card VS Fireface UC Quote:
On my Macbook Pro
2.8 with Ableton Live I get the following OS X Kernel CPU loads for a heavy project that
utilizes *all* I/Os:
HDSPe + MF2 (ExpressCard): 1%
Fireface 400
(Firewire): 1.5%
Fireface UC (USB): 2.5%
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