Subject: Re: [linux-audio-user] usability of the m-audio quattro
From: Patrick Shirkey (pshirkey_AT_boosthardware.com)
Date: Wed Jan 08 2003 - 12:28:42 EET
Brian Redfern wrote:
> I know Patrick has been working with one of these, i'm curious about
> people's impressions, is it usable enough to play a gig with it, or are
> people still working on getting a lot of bugs out of the usb audio driver?
>
Just recently the driver and associated tools have been nearly
completely fixed. The driver works perfectly now but arecord has
problems capturing at 24_3le.
I have been using this device almost fulltime for the past 6 weeks to
play live gigs and can now say that it is working extremely well with
reasonable buffers.
I tried doing some work at 44100,2,16 with 64bytes latency but it was
too noticible for the people I was working with. Probably I need to tune
my system for lower latency as this device shouldn't be noticible at
64bytes per period.
Anyway I can say that it does what I need when I use it for playback or
capture in seperate instances but as a duplex device I need to do more
testing.
It also makes a very handy patch bay (as long as I remember to repatch
when the machine it is connected to in not running :)
One thing you may want to take into account is that most DJ's require 6
outputs to work effectively when running completely from software. 4
ports for playback, 2 for cueing via headphones.
Also be aware that you cannot capture and playback through all 8 ports
at 24bits. I didn't realise that when I bought it and was slightly
dissapointed when I found out.
In general If I could purchase again I would go for a device with at
least 6 outputs for DJing purposes. But that probably would require at
least another year of debugging whereas this has been almost finished
for the quattro.
Another thing is that I can use tX provided I have the correct settings
for the mouse (usb or ps/2). Currently I am using
mouse speed = minimum
stop sense cycles = maximum
This gives crystal clear playback as root user. Even without lowlat on.
HTH.
-- Patrick Shirkey - Boost Hardware Ltd. For the discerning hardware connoisseur http://www.boosthardware.com http://www.djcj.org - The Linux Audio Users guide ========================================Being on stage with the band in front of crowds shouting, "Get off! No! We want normal music!", I think that was more like acting than anything I've ever done.
Goldie, 8 Nov, 2002 The Scotsman
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