Do I need firewire?

[byzantine]

first of all let me introduce myself as this is my first post. I'm from Austria and started digital djing thanks to Ean Golden i was so impressed by his youtube videos that I bought myself a VCI-100 and Traktor 3. Love that combination!

at the moment i use a m-audio fasttrack pro usb-card as I have no firewire interface on my notebook (HP). Now I'm planning on buying a new macbook as I think it is more reliable if I'm taking the next step to play at some small clubs in Vienna. what i wanted to ask is your hones opinion about if the combination macbook (not pro) and fasttrack pro is realiable enough? or could someone maybe suggest a usb 2.0 card which is comparable to firewire cards?
I'm also doing a lot of homerecording with my Band (Rock/Pop), so the recording quality is also an issue.
thanks in advance!

[Julio]

Your MacBook is suitable for that work. You should have no problems whatsoever.

And.. Welcome to DJTT!!

[byzantine]

OK, thanks! But what about the soundcard? To be honest, I'm not 100% satisfied with the fasttrack pro, as it is only usb 1.0 which I sense when I use a lot of vst's and effects. although when djing I've never had a problem with it...

[Julio]

Well.. USB 1.0 soundcard will not yield the same as a 2.0c card.
NI Audio 8DJ (USB 2.0), the Firebox is a great card (Firewire).. besides a couple more.

Also.. your budget will allow us to help you choose better..

[BentoSan]

Using lots of effects and stuff isnt going to slow anything down just because you are using a usb 1 soundcard. All that sort of processing is done inside the computer itself. If your latency is decent enough and you get a nice sound out of your card - you know what they say "if its dont broken dont fix it".

Upgrading your card will allow you to achieve lower latency and perhaps a better sound quality depending on the quality of the audio components used inside the card.

[byzantine]

Well.. USB 1.0 soundcard will not yield the same as a 2.0c card.
NI Audio 8DJ (USB 2.0), the Firebox is a great card (Firewire).. besides a couple more.

Also.. your budget will allow us to help you choose better..

well I was thinking of around 300Eur (220$). Is there a possibility to find a USB2.0 card at that range that is nearly equal to a firewire-card? as i said, i need it djing AND recording. I would really love to buy the new macbook, that's why I am asking in the first place....

[jgcamil]

Using lots of effects and stuff isnt going to slow anything down just because you are using a usb 1 soundcard. All that sort of processing is done inside the computer itself. If your latency is decent enough and you get a nice sound out of your card - you know what they say "if its dont broken dont fix it".

Upgrading your card will allow you to achieve lower latency and perhaps a better sound quality depending on the quality of the audio components used inside the card.

BentoSan,
What do you consider a decent latency is? Above what value you'd say issues start to arise?
I'm on an Audio 8 DJ....

[BentoSan]

BentoSan,
What do you consider a decent latency is? Above what value you'd say issues start to arise?
I'm on an Audio 8 DJ....

It all depends on your system, basicly you want to aim for an overal 10ms latency - thats from the point you press the button to the time it takes the audio to come out the speakers.

You will find your midi device might have 2-3ms latency so your audio latency should be under 7-8ms to make up for a total of 10ms.