Hi everyone! I own a MacBook Pro (2018) equipped only with USB3 ports. A few days ago, I updated the operating system (installing Catalina... which for now doesn't allow me to use 2 important software programs... Oh well...). I also own an audio interface with a FireWire port (the one included with old Macs from 2010). I searched for any compatibility: the drivers (audio interface) for Catalina are not available. To connect it to my new Mac, it seems I will have to get 2 adapters to put between the Mac and the interface. The interface is a few years old but isn't completely obsolete yet.
In your opinion:
- How much sound quality would I lose with the mix of adapters (which were suggested to me)?
- Could you suggest a new interface with a USB3 port for decent home recordings (few inputs)?
I believe that buying another sound card just to avoid using a USB-C to USB adapter is a useless waste of money, especially if your current card satisfies you anyway.
USB 2.0 has a bandwidth of 480Mbit/s...
If we consider working at 44100Hz, 16bit, stereo, it means that one audio track will weigh about 1.4 Mbit/s (44100*16*2); even if you want to reach 96kHz 24 bit stereo, you get to 4.6Mbit/s. In essence, to saturate a USB 2.0, you would have to work on 342 channels simultaneously in the 44100 configuration and 104 in the 96kHz 24 bit stereo configuration.
Suppose that is a nominal bandwidth, but even if the effective bandwidth were only half, you could still work roughly with 52 simultaneous tracks.
Just go ahead and get an adapter. It costs little and can also serve you for other USB Type-A peripherals that you might want to connect.
