Whether you’re creating a MIDI masterpiece, recording a drum kit, or mixing a podcast you’re going to want an interface at some point. Thing is, finding out which ones work with Linux can be an adventure.
For now I will be focusing on Firewire interfaces since they are no longer supported in Windows 10 and Apple hasn’t shipped a MAC with a fire-hole since 2012. That means people are dumping them on places like Ebay and Reverb. A Firewire card for your Linux machine is a $30 investment that could potentially save you hundreds on your next interface.
Each week we’re going to put an interface through a few trials and one tribulation.
1. Overview
2. Setup
3. Soundcheck
4. Round trip latency
5. 15 minute torture test
6. What works and what nopes.
Today we’re looking at a little known interface from a company the internet loves to hate.
Jackbox:
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 1700 | ||
| RAM | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB | ||
| Motherboard | MSI B350 Tomahawk | ||
| GPU | Nvidia Quadro 4000 | ||
| SSD | Samsung 840 | ||
| PSU: | EVGA 600 B1 | ||
| Firewire: | Syba SY-PEX30016 | ||
| Network: | Intel i350-T4 | ||
| OS: | Debian Buster | ||
| Kernel: | 4.19.0-8-rt-amd64 | ||
| Desktop: | XFCE 4.12 | ||
FIREPOWER FCA1616: Round-trip latency @44100 HZ
FIREPOWER FCA1616: Round-trip latency @4800 HZ
FIREPOWER FCA1616: Round-trip latency @96000 HZ
Check out our Amazon idea list, take a look at our studio gear, or donate your unloved audio equipment.
Behringer FIREPOWER FCA 1616
Pros
Everything works, period.
60 dB of gain on the preamps
8 insert jacks.
USB & Firewire connectivity.
Cons
No power button!
Only 4 line-level inputs.
No way to bypass the preamps.
Midas preamps: Not bad, just flat.
