Echo AudioFire 2: post your experiences here

Hi, folks!

I own a Macbook Pro and would like to get an firewire audio interface, for using with midi controllers like Vestax VCI-100.

the Macbook Pro doesn't have an PCMCIA port, so the Indigo cards are out of the question. And it sports only 2 USB ports, so firewire audio is a must, because the midi controller will use one of them and I would like to have the extra USB port free for using a mouse or something.

I've been searching this forum and google, and I found lots of firewire audio interfaces, but one that catch my attention because of its size was the Echo's AudioFire2:

www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireWire/AudioFire2

Does anyone around here have experiencies with this baby?

 

Just a suggestion but you could try and use a bluetooth mouse and go usb 2.0 soundcard if lack of ports is the only thing pushing you in the direction of firewire?

 

Got a lot more reasons. Just a few of them:

- I do prefer firewire over usb, for technical design reasons
- I have far more uses for my usb ports than my firewire port
- I would love to have another midi controller on the future
- I haven't found yet any bluetooth mouse that I liked
- Man, i got a Mac, I got a 6 pin powered firewire port. Isn't that just great?

 

Yeah forgot about that advantage of a "proper" powered firewire port on a macbook pro. I've just ordered a black macbook on ebay and this is the only feature i will miss from the Pro. Still it was all I could afford (1500 aussie dollars BARGIN!!!) ..........I'm not jealous...............much !!!!
God i hope it turns up

 

To be honest, even with a PC laptop, I already had it. I used to have a Acer TM3002WCTi, which is a 12" laptop with external CD/DVD drive which is powered by an 6-pin firewire port.

Users searching for a PC laptop for audio should look for Acer Ferrari 1000. It's the same one, with an superb configuration, and the 6-pin fw port.

Problem is, even with that port, you still have to disable ACPI battery management on Windows XP, and this is sux so much, having a laptop without basic features like knowing how much battery juice you have left.

 

I'm looking at the AudioFire 2 at the moment as well.

One point to bear in mind.... You have a master pair of balanced outputs on the back, & a seperately assignable headphone output on the front. This is fine if you intend using the internal mixer & a midi controller. But if you ever plan on using an external mixer, you're gonna need something with more line level outputs.

Other than that (which isn't an issue for me, I always use a midi controller these days), this looks like a funky little soundcard.

All I need is my fully loaded MacBook with it's 160 Gb drive full of music, a Faderfox midi controller, & this dinky little soundcard.

I think I've just about talked myself in to buying one of these!

 

It isn't a problem for me either, however you can always use adaptors to do the trick:

1 - Using 2 split 1 P10 > 2 RCA adapters for each balanced output, and configure mono outputs on Traktor, each channel sends to a line in on the external mixer. I know stereo sound better, but at most of the club PAs I have played, it makes no freaking relevant difference at all -- and sometimes, mono can sound better, if you ask me.

2 - Using a P2 > 2 RCA adapter and sending the headphones signal to the mixer. I've been doing this for ages on FS2's SA, using the headphones as a 3rd output.

For the rest of the things you said, I totally agree. I'm also very convinced to try this baby, I just want to collect any previous advice on it.

 

I've just been on the phone talking to a dealer here in the UK (dv247.com).

Appaarently Echo haven't released Intel / Universal drivers for this card yet.

....back to the drawing board.

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gonna check with Echo's if there's any prevision on releasing those drivers.

 

I've just fired off an email. I'll let you know if I find anything out.

 

Good News!

This is what I asked;

Hi there.
I'm very interested in buying an AudioFire 2 soundcard, but I can't find any mention of availability of drivers suitable for Intel Mac's
Are these available?

This is what they replied with;

- Yes, we're using Apple's core audio driver. Our AudioFire flasher and console driver is Mac Intel compatible.

....guess what I'm going to order tomorrow?

 

If you still haven't quite visualised the actual size of this card yet, have a look at the photos on this ebay auction.

http://item.express.ebay.co.uk/Comp...mponentsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQcmdZExpressItem

 

Well I was going to buy the Audiofire 2. .....but then I found an AudioFire4 for less money!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWN:IT&viewitem=&item=300076302746&rd=1&rd=1

Result!

 

They've just emailed saying it was a typo, & it should be £239. They've also returned my paypal payment.


....anybody know if they're obliged to sell if it's a Paypal auction? I know on normal web stores, they can wriggle out of stuff like this, do the same rules apply on auction sites?

 

I don't know. Here in Brazil they must sell, but in 90% of the cases you got to fill a suit on minor causes tribunal.

I was looking for the prices on DJ Deals, which is my fave reseller:
http://www.djdeals.com/echoAUDIOFIRE4.htm
http://www.djdeals.com/echoAUDIOFIRE2.htm

Although Audiofire4 model (and beyond) have more inputs and outputs, I just want to keep things simple. Size is an important matter for me; otherwise, I would stick to my SA2.

 

Just got off the phone to the guy, he wouldn't budge, so I think I'm gonna let it go.

I still reckon I'm in the right though. (al least legally, maybe not morally, & I'm not sure that my conscience will let me push this any further) According to ebay's UK guidelines;

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/seller-non-performance.html


Seller Non-Performance


When a seller lists an item on eBay, and a buyer bids for and wins that item, the seller and buyer have entered into a contract. Both members are expected to honour that contract. In accordance with that contract, the seller may not:

1. Fail to deliver an item for which payment was accepted.

2. Significantly misrepresent an item by not meeting the terms and item description outlined in the listing.

3. Refuse to accept payment for an item at the end of a successful sale.


I reckon he's got problems with point's 1 & 3.

 

If eBay says so, I would insist. The seller created an expectation on you, he must comply. It's their error, not yours.

 

Ian, do you now have an AudioFire2? Wondering about the features and sound.

 

Yep, ...I've got one.

Everything seems great so far. But I was hanging on till friday to post a report, as I've got a gig on thursday night.

 

Cool, looking forward to your comments.