VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

D Voice · Been Here Awhile Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 232

I received an older PC running XP that doesn't have a whole lot of RAM (1GB, and I can only add 500MB more), but it is dead quiet, has lots of hard disk space, 8 USB ports, and firewire(!).

Can't afford a new computer right now, so thinking about using this mostly just for solo VO recording. So far, it seems fine for that, as long as I am not trying to do overdubbing on long files. Bigger editing jobs can be done on the more powerful (slightly noisier) machine on the network.

I already own several USB AD devices (including E-mu 0404; Mic Port Pro; Yamaha UW-500, etc.). So just wondering if getting some sort of firewire AD device would result in any appreciable improvement or not...

chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

Any FW device in that equivalent range of all your USB gear won't give you any appreciable difference in sound quality (converters), however, it "might" give you more stability. I ran with a USB piece of gear for about 3 years, and since making the switch to an Echo Audiofire8, have had ZERO issues/glitches.

jordanreynolds · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:23 pm Post subject:

I agree with Chuck. As far as quality you probably wouldn't notice a difference. The use of USB/firewire audio interfaces can also be highly dependent upon the firewire or USB chipset on your computer. Some firewire chipsets are horrific for audio. If you do decide to go for a firewire interface on your old PC be sure to check the interfaces website for "approved" or "compatible" firewire chipsets. Also, I honestly don't think it would be necessary to get a firewire interface for the old PC. Firewire, in general, tends to perform better when you have a lot more I/O. VO doesn't require much I/O at all which is why USB tends to work so well for many home VO studios.

todd ellis · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:43 pm Post subject:

I agree with the above. I used the emu 0404 for a long time and loved it.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:06 am Post subject:

You should be fine.

Just max out the ram, and depending on how old it is you might want to pop in a new hard drive. BUT don't get a cheap bargain basement HD, make sure it is at least 7200RPM and has Oxford 911, 924 or 934 chipsets.
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