Apple Soundtrack Pro 2 - Manual (Page 488)

488 Appendix C Working with Professional Video and Audio Equipment
FireWire for Digital Audio
FireWire is a professional and consumer standard for both audio and video equipment.
The combination of fast data-transfer rates, high storage capacities, and plug-and-play
connection makes FireWire an attractive choice for working with digital audio files.
FireWire is included on all current Macintosh computers, and a number of FireWire
audio interfaces are available. These third-party interfaces are not DV devices, but
merely devices that use FireWire as a means of transferring digital audio data. FireWire
interfaces are more convenient to switch between computers than PCI cards, and they
can be used with both desktop and portable computers. A FireWire interface typically
supports ten or more inputs, and at least eight outputs.
Important: Although a FireWire bus supports a very high data rate, connecting too many
devices, such as a DV video device, a FireWire hard disk, and a FireWire audio interface,
could potentially exceed the bus speed, resulting in audio with missing samples.
USB Audio Interfaces
There are a wide variety of USB audio interfaces available. USB supports plug-and-play
operation and the ability to connect several devices in sequence (daisy-chaining). USB
is included on all current Macintosh computers.
Most USB audio interfaces support two or four audio channels at one time. USB audio
interfaces vary in quality considerably, so take some time to research them before you
purchase one. The connectors on USB interfaces vary; some interfaces have RCA
connectors and others have both XLR and 1/4" TRS connectors. Very inexpensive USB
audio interfaces may only have a stereo miniplug.
H
Computer Breakout box
FireWire 400
(6-pin)
XLR connector (2)
Analog or digital VTR
Computer
USB
RCA connector (2)
Analog or digital VTR Audio interface