What are the best professional-grade Firewire audio interfaces?
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | I/O Count ⇅ | Sample Rate (Hz) ⇅ | Bit Depth (bits) ⇅ | Latency (ms) ⇅ | Number of Preamps ⇅ | Phantom Power ⇅ |
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Apogee Duet 2 Firewire
US
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£22.42 ≈ | 2 | 44.1-96 kHz | 24-bit | 32 samples/96kHz = 4.6 ms; 64 samples/44.1kHz = 7.23 ms | 2 | ✓ |
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Compact 2-in/4-out FireWire audio interface with two microphone preamps, 24-bit up to 96 kHz conversion, and low round-trip latency for monitoring. Suited to singer-songwriters and mobile Mac users who need pro-quality AD/DA in a portable unit. ★ Ideal forBest for professionals wanting a high-quality FireWire interface because it offers 24-bit/96 kHz conversion, two mic preamps with phantom power, and low latency (4.6 ms at 96 kHz).
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Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP
US
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£261.66 ≈ | 16 in, 8 out | 96 kHz | 24-bit | 5.714 ms (measured, 44.1 kHz, 14-sample buffer) | 2 | ✓ |
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A FireWire 16-in/8-out audio interface with 2 Focusrite mic preamps, ADAT and S/PDIF expandability, onboard DSP for zero-latency monitoring effects and Virtual Reference Monitoring; supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz conversion and offers low measured round-trip latency. Suited to project and home pro studios needing multiple I/O, DSP monitoring, and headphone mixes. ★ Ideal forIdeal for professional-grade FireWire interfaces because it provides 16x8 I/O, 24-bit/96 kHz converters, DSP-based zero-latency monitoring, and low measured latency (~5.7 ms).
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RME Fireface 800
US
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£1183.59 ≈ | 35 sources / 28 tracks (up to 10 analog in/out + 2 digital + ADAT expansion) | Up to 192000 | 24-bit | null | 4 | ✓ |
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The RME Fireface 800 is a high‑quality FireWire audio interface with pristine 192 kHz A/D and D/A conversion, extensive I/O including 4 front mic preamps, ADAT expansion and RME's TotalMix routing. It offers stable SteadyClock sync and flexible routing for multitrack recording and monitoring, suited to pro studios needing many simultaneous sources. ★ Ideal forIdeal for professional FireWire interfaces because it provides up to 192 kHz conversion, four class‑A mic preamps with 48V phantom, and routing for up to 35 sources to 28 tracks.
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Roland FA-66 FireWire Audio Interface
US
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£1766.27 ≈ | 6 in / 6 out | 24-bit/96 kHz (6-in/6-out), 24-bit/192 kHz (4-in/4-out) | 24-bit | — | 2 | ✓ |
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Portable 6-in/6-out FireWire audio/MIDI interface with two XLR/TRS combo mic preamps, optical S/PDIF I/O, four balanced outputs, zero-latency direct monitoring, and optional AC or FireWire bus power. Supports 24-bit/96 kHz (6-channel) and 24-bit/192 kHz (4-channel) operation, suited for mobile field recording and compact studio setups. ★ Ideal forSuitable for professional-grade FireWire interfaces because it offers 6-in/6-out 24-bit/96 kHz performance, two phantom-powered mic preamps, S/PDIF I/O, and zero-latency monitoring. |
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MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid (Firewire/USB)
US
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— | 28 inputs, 30 outputs | 192 kHz (analog), 96 kHz (ADAT/S/PDIF) | 24-bit | ~2 ms round-trip (USB at 96 kHz, 32-sample buffer) | 2 mic/guitar preamps | ✓ |
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The MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid is a rackmount FireWire/USB2 audio interface with extensive I/O (8 balanced analog ins plus 2 front-panel combo preamps, ADAT, S/PDIF, MIDI and word clock), onboard CueMix FX DSP for mixing and effects, and high-resolution operation up to 192 kHz. It delivers ultra-low latency performance and flexible standalone or computer-attached operation, suited to studios needing many simultaneous channels and hardware monitoring/processing. ★ Ideal forIdeal for professional-grade Firewire interfaces because it offers 28x30 I/O, 192 kHz analog recording, onboard DSP mixing/effects, and ultra-low ~2 ms latency.
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Audient iD24 MkII
US
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£298.30 ≈ | 10 in / 14 out | 96 kHz | 24-bit / 32-bit DAC | 7.89 ms audio return trip time (example measurement) | 2 | ✓ |
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Desktop USB-C audio interface with two Audient Class-A mic preamps, JFET instrument input, ADAT expandability, dual headphone outputs, and 32-bit DAC converters; suitable for producers and small studios needing high-quality conversion and expandability. It's bus-powered with low-latency monitoring and hardware monitor controls for studio workflows. ★ Ideal forGood for professional-grade Firewire interface comparisons because it provides high-quality 32-bit DAC conversion, up to 96 kHz sample rate, and expandable I/O via ADAT, matching pro audio conversion and expandability needs.
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Heritage Audio i73 Pro 2
US
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£672.12 ≈ | 2 in / 4 out | 192000 | 24-bit | — | 2 | ✓ |
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The i73 Pro 2 is a 2-in/4-out USB-C audio interface with two Class-A transformer-coupled 73-style preamps, JFET DI, MIDI mini‑DIN, and Heritage's low-latency MIXER with onboard DSP effects. It supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz AD/DA conversion and provides dedicated monitor and headphone outputs, plus PAD and PHASE per channel. It suits musicians and engineers who want classic transformer-driven preamp character integrated into a modern computer interface. ★ Ideal forIdeal for professional-grade Firewire audio interface comparisons because it offers two transformer-coupled 73-style preamps with up to 70 dB gain and 24-bit/192 kHz conversion, delivering vintage analog character and high-resolution digital I/O.
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