USB interface for XP

[dangayle]

Well this is audio site and let assume he is using his machine for audio mostly (that's all that matters to us here really), so in that regard going on some developers site or KVR will not get him PWND, that's the part you exaggerated in your first response.

He can always boot up Linux for his networking, but there's no real danger for his audio duties on XP.

Look at what happened to the guys who only cared about video. Transmission, a popular video decoding and ripping app, was infiltrated and spread a super nasty malware. Or how many audio websites are on WordPress? Soundtoys, for sure. Many others. All it takes is one WordPress plugin with a security vuln that doesn't get updated. (Your dual booting idea is good)

I've taken this discussion way OT, but I still think he'd be better off using his money on the computer than on the interface.

[Zexila]

Look at what happened to the guys who only cared about video. Transmission, a popular video decoding and ripping app, was infiltrated and spread a super nasty malware.

Transmission is bit torrent client.

Or how many audio websites are on WordPress? Soundtoys, for sure. Many others. All it takes is one WordPress plugin with a security vuln that doesn't get updated.

From which side, users or clients?

I've taken this discussion way OT, but I still think he'd be better off using his money on the computer than on the interface.

He needs interface nonetheless, so in your "better" case he needs to spend more money, maybe he is short on cash and maybe he doesn't need new machine, he came here to ask about interface for specific system, that's all that matters really here, interface that runs on XP.

[dangayle]

Transmission is bit torrent client.

My bad, I meant Handbrake. (Used to be the same developer)

[planetearth]

As a software developer and someone concerned for security, I'm telling you to either install Linux on that box or dump it in the waste bin. None of the major browsers are available in up to date versions on XP, so you're liable to get PWND if you go online, which of course you'll have to do to get your DAW sand plugins installed and registered.

Your question should be, what USB interface for Linux, if it's a matter of money. If not, you're better off with a new computer and almost literally any old USB interface.

Exaggerating much?

Yes, that's a bit of an exaggeration. Linux is no replacement for XP--or anything else, for that matter. (Linux fanbois, no letters, please. I use Linux for some things. It isn't ready for this.) While I wouldn't use XP (especially not on a computer that will access the Internet), Mozilla Firefox and Opera still support XP. There are also anti-virus packages that still support XP.

Still, it really is time to consider moving on. Not just because Windows 7 or 10 are that much better (they're not, as far as making music is concerned), but because the longer you wait, the harder it will be to move your old file formats to new software. Also, the longer you keep using older, 32-bit plug-ins, the less likely those same plug-ins will be available (or work the same way) in a new, 64-bit system. Many of us who made the switch to a 64-bit OS had to ditch some plug-ins that no longer worked in our 64-bit DAWs. And in some cases, these were plug-ins that we used in many projects.

Steve

EDIT: I was wondering why we were all responding to a post that the OP made in May--for which he never returned to get his answer. It appears this is a dead horse.

I appreciate @dangayle's concern for OS security--especially if it keeps a press room running and virus-free. I honestly applaud that effort.

But XP isn't as bad as some here have made it seem, especially if you stay off the Internet--as the OP appears to have done.

Steve

[Zexila]

EDIT: I was wondering why we were all responding to a post that the OP made in May--for which he never returned to get his answer. It appears this is a dead horse.

He responded when there's was something worth responding to, just before we started going off topic.

Thanks so much all, looks like theres good range of XP models still out there

Still, it really is time to consider moving on. Not just because Windows 7 or 10 are that much better (they're not, as far as making music is concerned), but because the longer you wait, the harder it will be to move your old file formats to new software. Also, the longer you keep using older, 32-bit plug-ins, the less likely those same plug-ins will be available (or work the same way) in a new, 64-bit system. Many of us who made the switch to a 64-bit OS had to ditch some plug-ins that no longer worked in our 64-bit DAWs. And in some cases, these were plug-ins that we used in many projects.

There's JBridge and some DAW's have internal bridges too.

[planetearth]

Still, it really is time to consider moving on. Not just because Windows 7 or 10 are that much better (they're not, as far as making music is concerned), but because the longer you wait, the harder it will be to move your old file formats to new software. Also, the longer you keep using older, 32-bit plug-ins, the less likely those same plug-ins will be available (or work the same way) in a new, 64-bit system. Many of us who made the switch to a 64-bit OS had to ditch some plug-ins that no longer worked in our 64-bit DAWs. And in some cases, these were plug-ins that we used in many projects.

There's JBridge and some DAW's have internal bridges too.

Some DAWs do have internal bridges, but I read often about Cubase's problems with some 32-bit plug-ins, and I know of several that have all-but disappeared in the last few years, with no upgrade support. I've even had to ditch things like E-MU's Proteus VX and a few others that either didn't work well in a 64-bit DAW, or didn't work at all.

Steve

[Zexila]

Some DAWs do have internal bridges, but I read often about Cubase's problems with some 32-bit plug-ins, and I know of several that have all-but disappeared in the last few years, with no upgrade support. I've even had to ditch things like E-MU's Proteus VX and a few others that either didn't work well in a 64-bit DAW, or didn't work at all.

Steve

Think Cubase ditched bridge, it's only 64 bit now.

[planetearth]

Some DAWs do have internal bridges, but I read often about Cubase's problems with some 32-bit plug-ins, and I know of several that have all-but disappeared in the last few years, with no upgrade support. I've even had to ditch things like E-MU's Proteus VX and a few others that either didn't work well in a 64-bit DAW, or didn't work at all.

Steve

Think Cubase ditched bridge, it's only 64 bit now.

And I have yet to read a glowing review of that decision from any Cubase user. SONAR (my DAW) has its own bridge, and I hope they don't abandon that for at least another 4-5 years. Or if they do, I hope they give us at least a year's notice so that we can wean ourselves off the old plug-ins while they still work in the DAW!

Steve

[brainzistor]

Many audio interfaces are actually quite old and will work with XP without any problems, especially those in 50-100 dollars/euros range, talking about second hand ones too. They'll all do the job well. I bought recently Alesis I02 because the guy was selling it dirt cheap for 50 euros and I also plugged it into my old XP machine to check it by using Asio4all driver and it was working without any problems.
IMO, Alesis I02 is the best buy when it comes to what offers and the price and yes it has phantom power.

[shiru8bit]

As a Behringer U-PHORIA UMC204 user, not totally happy with it. It had good price/quality ratio when I got it, but somehow it never worked stable on my main PC, no matter what I tried (and I tried a lot) - it just likes to restart randomly once in a while, producing a loud click and a half second freeze, or sound just freezes (buffer loops), so I have to go Preferences in a DAW to force reinit, or close/open DAW, or something. Zero support, nowhere to get help, no driver updates. The interface isn't broken, works on all my notebooks, so it isn't useless for me, at least. Along with a Win10 tablet makes a nice portable recording setup, actually.