M-Audio Firewire 18/14

The M Audio FireWire 18/14 was an interface that I used on several occasions back around 2008. It was well built and it came with a pretty good software that I didn’t expect to have any use with but ended up mixing some really good stuff with it. (I cant remember exactly which software it was although). The Fire Wire 18/14 has all the connections you need to get your mics and instruments or almost any sound sources audio to your laptop or desktop computer. The Latency on this interface is very low, probably almost a 0 latency from the time that I had with it and it was amazing. You can also use your ASIO drivers with it to make the latency even lower. ASIO for all is a free tool you can use with almost any interface and with any system and software. Another key feature of the Fire Wire 18/14 is how great it is in a live setting. You wont need to use some of the interfaces that are already at venues if you are a live performer , you can just use your interface ( the 18/14) something you stand by and that you know works. The M Audio Fire Wire 18/14 Builds confident s because you know its going to work for your every time you use it.


UTILIZATION

It has 8x4 24 bit I/O and 18 in and 14 out fire-wire Audio and Midi connections. It is a very user friendly interface that has pretty much everything right on the face of the unit including Output, input and Axillary send monitoring right on the front of the Fire Wire 18/14. Latency is low in Cubase LE and the drivers are very stable as with most M Audio’s products are.


GETTING STARTED

I don’t remember a manual for this interface, and I don’t think I every saw one. But since it’s a M Audio interface there is no doubt in my mind that it was easy to understand and use.


OVERALL OPINION

The quality of the sound you will get with the Fire Wire 18/14 is very good, its second to none. I am very happy to have the honor to use this unit while our group had it. I though about purchasing one for my self but I already had two interfaces at the time. But I do love all M Audio’s interfaces. They are well built and worth the money.

M-Audio has usually pushed their USB stuff, but it's nice to see them start getting into Firewire mic pres as well. This device is an 18 x 14 Firewire interface that has 8 24 bit/96 KHz analog inputs, 4 24 bit/96 KHz outputs, 2 x 4 24 bit/192 KHz analog I/IO, 8 x * ADAT Lightpipe, S/PDIF, supports AC-3/DTS, contains great Neutrik jacks with a 20 dB pad, phantom power, two different headphone jacks with independent volume control and MIDI and a ton more features.

UTILIZATION

M-Audio did a great job setting this whole thing up. The interface itself is nicely laid out, and everything is easy to use. There are no annoying breakout cables that cause a tangled mess. I'm especially happy that they used Firewire for this. While they make comparisons on the USB page stating how USB is theoretically faster than Fiewire, that's not the case in real life. There are some major flaws with USB 2.0 when compared to Firewire, and I always found it a bit dishonest when they tried to claim USB 2.0 was faster.

GETTING STARTED

Setting up is very easy, just like any other M-Audio device out there. Simply plug in the devices to their corresponding ports, and you're good to go. I didn't experience any compatibility issues, and that's a great thing. This works with both PC and Mac, so nearly anybody can use it without a problem. I never read the manual, but I can't imagine a real need to unless you're trying to figure out how certain connections work. Anybody who has used an interface before should know exactly how everything works.

OVERALL OPINION

If you're in the market for a good, solid Firewire mic pre, this is definitely one to look at. It's packed with features, contains audio software so you can get to recording as quick as possible, and it doesn't cost a ton of money like certain other interfaces out there. On top of that, there's built-in MIDI which is a huge plus.

The report qualitprix and the reputation of the brand have motivated my choice.
I SORS DUN PC WITH DELTA maudio 66. (CEST dailleurs THE ONLY THING THAT WALKED PROPERLY !!)
JOperation Firewire 18/14 pro use in the studio with a Mac Book Pro equipped with 4 GB of ram.
I little branch nearly everything you can plug in the studio without ever having encountered any problem.
I lai tried with XP and I can not tell you the circus !! With VISTA, be better to forget !!!!!!

USE

Mac, no problem. With Windows, all it is possible to imagine such problems, based on all configurations and find here.
I does not like Windows, but you wash soothsayer !!

IMPLEMENTATION

Drivers super stable, upgraded regularly.
Logic Pro, I have absolutely no problem meeting.
Jobtiens almost zero latency.
With a MacBook Pro equipped with 4 GB of Ram jarrive record more than 20 tracks without the slightest problem. With LIMAC impossible to know how many runs, so the bug is powerful.
Ncoutez not badgers who can not use their hardware!
The pros know what they are talking !!

NOTICE GLOBAL

JOperation Firewire 18/14 for two years.
I regret, perhaps, view a little plastic, but in general, the MAudio products are extremely robust.
I think the sound is extremely clearer as MOTU, for example, and qualitprix is ​​excellent. I know many musicians who use the Audio interface running on a Mac and Nont never encountered any problem.
I recommend this product widely and if CTAIT again, I renouvellerais lexprience, no doubt.
MAudio products are penss by musicians, what you want, they have ears like everyone else.
Buy this product if you are looking for something srieux not ncoutez the "badger" who are never happy. The pros use MAudio products and I can tell you that jen have encountered in my long career.

We forget that this card has nearly 10 years can be chained very effectively with a second 1814 must spend to date a little more than twice the opportunity to access 16 analog inputs with a recent map.

Proud owner of several analogue machines, I need to have at least 16 audio inputs to record digitally. I built my home studio around two cards chained (daisy chain) identifying audio capable of supporting 16 audio inputs on my two cards chained Windows 7 applications I hope to save you time.
Two big winners after numerous tests.
- Reaper (no protools 10)
- Ableton Live (no Acid Pro 7 Sony)

Constraints I identified by trial and error:
1 / Reaper Live and must be installed on two different machines so that the stability of each software remains on each PC with Win 7 I solved this problem by using two LENOVO I5 with 8 GB of RAM - for a live, the one for Reaper - and connecting the cards either portable depending on the application I need.
2 / You must use the ASIO driver for the M-Audio and not ASIO4ALL to have the best stability (buffer size in the control panel of the card: 256).
3 / We must declare what card test as the primary audio interface in Windows to avoid latency issues when audio is recorded 16 tracks simultaneously in Live or Reaper.
4 / Attention NEVER disconnect a hot card or PC card hand side. You burn out at once both firewire input of both cards is 150 euros card repair in Musical Service Pigalle.

Pending further messages and other feedback to complete it.
Particular advantages and disadvantages compared to buying a ADA8000 instead of a second 18/14 (prices are worth today).

UTILIZATION

Driver not updated after windows 7.

GETTING STARTED

Very easy installation.

OVERALL OPINION

I use daisy chain for 6 months.