Using Imic With An Imac, CPU Overload Options

[John and Gretche...]

When recording audio, we are getting CPU overload which builds up gradually as we record or play back audio. I have experimented and changed the audio system settings and have over 6Mb RAM working in Cubase. Could it be the Imic - feeding back or something?

Is there a better system than Imic into USB on the IMac? Is a Firewire system better? Any suggestions out there?

This post has been edited by John and Gretchen: Sun 4 May 2003, 22:13

[Synthetic]

hmmm... doesn't sound like an imic problem but more a computer hardware problem or software problem. What mac are you using and how much RAM do you have? Also, do you have virtual memory on or off?

[rickenbacker]

FireWire is WAY better than anything USB. Interfaces cost a lot more, though, and if you're not doing too much audio work, USB is OK. Edirol make some nice gear (UA-5 is a very neat solution), but there's loads of other products from companies such as Tascam, whose USB range is very popular. Their new 122 is very cute.

[Synthetic]

you'd be surprised but USB really isn't that bad... its not the best but its not that bad

USB is perfectly acceptable for 2 track recording and in the case of Emagic Emi 6/2 with 6 inputs... its still suffice for average home recording use. I had read a magazine article in a music mag when the 6/2 arrived and they claimed it didn't choke with all 6 inputs recording simulataneously and they were surprised.

Ultimately though... you are right that Firewire is better but not a big selection of cheap interfaces for it though.

[rickenbacker]

Absolutely - I've had a couple of USB devices and I was quite happy with them. Edirol produced soild drivers and the sound quality was top-notch. Trouble is, I get a lot of big ideas for music and I need to produce a professional result, so I soon found myself pushing the limits of USB. Hence my switch to a FireWire interface.

I think FireWire stuff is set to get a lot cheaper in the next year or two, which is offically A Good Thing. All eyes are on M-Audio's 410.

[Presto]

In answer to J&G, have a look at the Mbox for 2 I/O www.digidesign.com

I have an imic (somewhere) and dropped it very quickly. I got weak shitty recordings. Spose I needed a preamp.

The USB Mbox doesn't overload my system but I rarely use plugins and don't add many tracks to the original 1 or 2