Thanks Len some great information here.
>Jack won't start lower?
Yes, Jack just won't start on lower buffer sizes with internal sound. Not really a problem. just for testing.
>For live work, Guitar effects, soft synths, etc. USB 1.1 at 16bit/48k may
>work just fine
My experience with USB audio is limited, but USB 1 on mac, for live processing, I have found to have unusable latency.
I will probably update this computer at some point and convert all my personal recordings to a Linux based system. My main reason for the thinkpad was for gigs and live processing, so I am thinking a USB 2 audio interface is what I'll go for.
I was not aware that Firewire interfaces would be software specific, I assumed that if it connected with jack then any jack compliant software would work?
Thanks again,
Saul
On 26 January 2013 15:08, Len Ovens <len@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Jack won't start lower? or too many xruns lower? If you are having xruns,
On Sat, January 26, 2013 1:06 am, Saul Rayson wrote:
> I need an audio interface to work with my thinkpad X60 running Ubuntu
> studio for live processing. At least 2 in 2 out.
>
> My main program is SuperCollider and the main issue I for see is latency.
> With the internal sound card the latency 11.6 ms, which of course is very
> noticeable.
try unloading the kernel module for the wireless network. I was able to
get my netbook to half that in this way. Actually I had troubles much
higher without. Also check that your CPU governor is set to performance
and not ondemand.
USB2 should be fine. The presonus boxes seem to work well with linux.
> Would usb 2 be adequate for this or should I go firwire?
Quite honestly, with a portable computer like a laptop, take it to the
music store and try a few. Walk in with a list that are known to work with
Linux and try them. Thats what I do. If it doesn't work out of the box, I
try another.
For live work, Guitar effects, soft synths, etc. USB 1.1 at 16bit/48k may
work just fine. The ART USB Dual Pre - USB 1.1 for as low as $60 will take
instrument or mic and has better circuitry than your internal card for
sure. These just work, plug and go. For a bit more money they have a tube
pre (single or dual) for a warmer sound with a bit more control and a
limiter. These will still be good for recording too... but for serious
studio work USB2 or firewire will give 24bit digital for more head room.
SO look at your needs. Think about what you will want to try in the next
year or two... however long you think you will use your thinkpad :)
A number of people on the UbuntuStudio dev team use firewire with the low
> I've also read that in order to use a firewire interface you need a
> real-time Kernel, where Ubuntu studio has a low latency Kernel?
latency kernel. That should not be an issue. The real issue is do you have
a FireWire interface or would you have to buy one? If you have one, then
you have the choice of FW or USB2 at similar price. If not then FW will
cost the extra for an interface and you have two things to make sure you
get one that works well with the software.
--
Len Ovens
www.OvenWerks.net
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