Cakewalk FA-66 FireWire Audio Interface

I studied several different products (firewire and USB) and decided to go with the FA-66 because of the Sonar LS included. I am a Sonar 1.3.1 user. I followed the install directions and had some compatibility issues. For example, I had to use the MME drivers instead of WDM. Also, I was unable to use 24 bit driver depth. These problems were with the version of Sonar I was using, and not with the FA-66. Other applications worked fine. Headphone latency is zero, and through Sonar the latency is very low. I am very pleased with the FA-66 even using my current version of Sonar. I'm anxious to see what the included upgrade does.


UTILIZATION

I run a Sony Vaio A-190, 512 mb RAM, 80 gb drive, 1.7 mhz Pentium M, 400gb external storage, and a Shure SM-57 mic. I use the box as a backup band for practicing bluegrass guitar, fiddle and mandolin. I also do a little recording. One other thing of note, the preamp does not seem to amplify sufficiently, so I have to run the audio through a compressor or amplifier on playback. My next purchase will be a condensor mic to see if that helps alleviate the amplitude problem.

GETTING STARTED

Manual is very clear, you can also download it online.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the FA-66. I couldn’t ask for much more from this compact interface, I am really not a fan of the color though. I would like to see it in black or a dark blue. It kinda stands out and can look pinkish. But besides the color its perfect. Also, This interface works well in Linux using Jack with the Freebob driver. I have used it for a year and a half under Ubuntu Linux with fairly good results.
The only problem that I have with it is that noise from the computer seems to be picked up through the firewire cable. Activity corresponding to mouse clicks/window updates, etc. appears as little squeals and clicks in the audio. Also, I would have preferred balanced in/outs on all 4 analog channels. For my application. these are nuisances that I can live with.