Firewire Audio Interfaces: Best 5 Picks + Buyers Guide!

Firewire Audio Interfaces

Introduction

Firewire devices might sound a bit intimidating, especially since they aren’t as commonly used as other types of audio interface connections. But that intimidating name is backed up by some impressive speed—Firewire offers much faster bandwidth than USB interfaces (at least those below USB 3.0).

This means Firewire can transfer data much more quickly, which helps lower latency and delivers better performance, consistency, and stability in your audio.

So, if you’re looking to record multiple tracks at once without sacrificing audio quality, Firewire audio interfaces should definitely be considered for your recording studio setup. Now, let’s break down exactly what a Firewire card is.

What Is A Firewire Audio Interface?

Firewire audio interfaces connect differently than USB models. They transfer data much faster, which means you get much lower latency.

The biggest challenge with firewire interfaces is that most standard computers don’t have firewire ports. This means you might need to upgrade your hardware to use a firewire interface.

Choosing a firewire device is a great option, but remember that not all firewire connections are the same. There are Firewire 400 and Firewire 800 formats. If your computer has Firewire 800 ports, you’ll get twice the bandwidth compared to Firewire 400.

So, does that mean Firewire 800 is always the best choice? Not necessarily. It’s actually pretty rare to need that much extra bandwidth. If you’re using your audio interface in a home studio with 2 to 10 inputs and outputs, either firewire version will be more than enough.

However, if you’re running 56 channels of 24-bit/192kHz audio at the same time, then we do recommend getting a Firewire 800 compatible model.

We want to let you know that the following firewire audio interface reviews are not ranked in any particular order. They’re randomized, as we don’t want to list them from best to worst.

Here are our Top 5 Firewire Audio Interfaces currently available on the market!

1. MOTU 4 Pre Hybrid

Thanks to MOTU’s Hybrid interface technology, the 4pre connects easily to any Mac or PC using either FireWire or high-speed USB 2.0. Just plug in your microphone, guitar, keyboard, and digital input, and you’re ready to create professional-quality recordings.

The 4pre is built with MOTU’s renowned, award-winning audio interface technology, delivering the pristine sound quality and rock-solid performance that MOTU interfaces are known for around the world. You can always record and mix with confidence, knowing decades of engineering expertise are supporting you every step of the way.

The 4pre’s combo mic/guitar inputs feature ultra-clean preamps with individually adjustable 48V phantom power and a -20 dB pad. You can adjust all settings directly from the front panel, or through the 4pre’s CueMix software on your computer. Mic inputs can be used separately or as stereo pairs, depending on your needs.

The 4pre’s mic preamps offer clear sound with 60 dB of gain, adjustable in precise 1 dB increments using the front-panel controls or the CueMix software. The gain adjustment is smooth because it’s analog, but digital control gives you both accuracy and the ability to save and recall your trim settings.

This means you get the best of both worlds: analog trim with digital precision and control. Trim adjusts the input before the mixer, so it applies to all mixes. You can set mix levels independently from trim, so you never have to sacrifice sound quality for a balanced mix. Even the S/PDIF digital inputs can be trimmed for the perfect sound.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS	Worldwide Shipping
	MOTU 4 Pre Hybrid	6×8 With four microphone preamplifiers 24-bit / 96 kHz Inputs: 4x XLR / Jack Combo (Line / Mic)	Check On Thomann

2. Black Lion Audio Premium Mod for MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid

Make the MOTU 828Mk3 Hybrid FireWire/USB audio interface the heart of your recording studio! With both FireWire and USB2 connectivity, loads of inputs and outputs, high-quality mic preamps, and built-in DSP effects and mixing, the 828Mk3 Hybrid is more than ready to handle all your audio processing and routing needs.

The 828Mk3 Hybrid lets you connect everything—your instruments, microphones, monitors, headphones, and more. Use it with any laptop, whether you’re in the studio or on the go. Handle all your monitoring, live mixing, recording, and processing directly from the 828Mk3 Hybrid.

This interface lets you record at up to 192 kHz resolution with 28 audio inputs and 30 outputs, so you can connect all your gear. You get two mic/guitar combo inputs with preamps, eight balanced analog ins/outs, XLR main outputs, 16 channels of ADAT optical (eight channels at 96 kHz), plus S/PDIF, word clock, and MIDI.

The 828’s XLR main outputs, headphone output, and two front-panel headphone jacks with independent volume controls make monitoring easy. The two front-panel mic/guitar inputs let you plug in and adjust your settings right up front.

Whenever you connect to MOTU’s 828Mk3 Hybrid, you also get the benefit of V-Limit—a hardware limiter that helps prevent digital clipping from overloaded input signals, handling levels up to +12 dB above zero with no distortion.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	Amazon Store	For US Customers
	Black Lion Audio Premium Mod for MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid	Check on Amazon	Check On Sweetwater

3. RME Fireface 802 Audio Interface

With the Fireface 802, you get a fully integrated professional audio solution that doubles as a complete studio, all housed in a 19″ enclosure.

This interface is designed for users who refuse to compromise on sound quality, stability, or ultra-low latency performance, and who demand an unsurpassed professional feature set at an affordable price. Once again, RME delivers a milestone interface that offers the best of the best—and even a little more.

The Fireface 802 offers 60 audio channels: 30 input channels and 30 output channels. You can use all inputs and outputs simultaneously. It’s possible to record up to 12 analog and 18 digital channels, for a total of 30 tracks, each completely independent from the others.

Setup and configuration of the Fireface 802 can be handled directly using an iPad, MIDI remote, or ARC. In addition, there are six memory slots available, each capable of storing your current configuration indefinitely. This allows the 802 to operate independently without a computer. When used as a standalone device, it can transform into various units at the push of a button.

Like other RME products, the Fireface 802 combines top-tier analog circuit design with the latest digital conversion technology. All balanced TRS and XLR inputs and outputs, as well as the two headphone outputs, offer exceptionally low noise and distortion.

In true RME fashion, the converters and preamps don’t add or remove anything from the original signal—they capture it exactly as it is.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	Amazon Store
	RME Fireface 802 Audio Interface	Check on Amazon

4. Focusrite Saffire Pro 40

The highlight of this interface is its wide variety of inputs and outputs. With eight XLR/quarter-inch inputs (two on the front and six on the back) and eight matching preamps, you have plenty of flexibility for recording different setups.

You could mic up an entire drum kit, record a large choir, or capture a live track with your band. Plus, having two headphone jacks makes it super easy to record with another musician—or even more, if you use the monitor outputs on the back.

On the back of the interface, you’ll also find MIDI, SPDIF, and optical in and outs. It’s compatible with both Firewire and Thunderbolt, though not with USB. Some people might not like that, but Firewire and Thunderbolt work just fine.

It’s always nice to get a software bundle with your interface, but in this case, you get Saffire MixControl, which isn’t as well-known as big names like Pro Tools or Ableton Live. Saffire MixControl is straightforward, but it doesn’t have as many features as other DAWs.

It looks cool and has some useful features, and when it works well, users appreciate it—especially the quality of the preamps. However, some engineers have said the preamps sound a bit bland, not very unique, and sometimes too quiet when recording acoustic instruments.

Still, the Saffire Pro 40 offers a solid deal. It has nearly all the features you need to record at home at a very affordable price, and it lets you achieve professional-level audio quality. The clear sound of the preamps is definitely the highlight of this system, making it worth trying out.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	Amazon Store
	Focusrite Saffire Pro 40	Check on Amazon

5. MOTU Audio Express

This Firewire/USB interface works well as a mixer, whether you’re doing live shows, working in the studio, or just need a monitor mixer. Here’s how it works: the Audio Express combines all the input signals down to a single output pair (like the main outputs), while still letting you control each input’s volume.

This is great for situations like mixing live music through a PA system. You can set your overall mix, but also adjust the vocals separately for the stage monitors.

One feature that sets this system apart is the pedal input, which lets you connect almost any footswitch. This means you can punch in during recording without taking your hands off your instrument.

Another cool option is the ability to expand if you need to. Just add another Audio Express through Firewire or USB. Plus, it has driver-level support so the signals from both devices stay in sync during recording and playback.

A big factor in whether an interface is successful is how easy it is to use. It’s a challenge to find the right balance between a simple design and offering lots of features—like being on a seesaw.

Even though the Audio Express offers a good range of features compared to other interfaces in its class, its setup and design are confusing and pretty inconvenient.

But if you can get past the unusual arrangement of inputs and knobs, this is a reliable interface. The features and quality you get are worth the price.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	Amazon Store	For EU Customers	For US Customers
	MOTU Audio Express	Check on Amazon	Check On Thomann	Check on Sweetwater

Conclusion

If you have open FireWire ports and are looking to choose a new audio interface that isn’t USB or Thunderbolt, you can try any of the FireWire interfaces from the list below.

There are many other brands that make FireWire interfaces for both home studios and professional use, offering solid support and features to fit your needs. Anyone can benefit from the performance of these devices, and this list should help you narrow down your options and compare different systems.

FireWire devices typically come with multiple inputs and outputs, but you may encounter some compatibility issues. To avoid these, make sure to choose the right FireWire card. Look for Texas Instruments PCI or PCIe cards, and you should be all set.

FireWire offers lower latency than USB, but it’s not as fast as Thunderbolt—data transfer speeds are usually around 800 megabits per second. The quality of the mic preamps varies from brand to brand, so you’ll need to decide which features are most important to you.

If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments section and we’ll do our best to answer as quickly as possible.