We use the Edirol UA5 and UA25 and never had problems by using our own
recording software that checks how much time the CPU takes to process each
data frame read from the audio device. In any case, it is important to set
to max the buffer size in the Edirol settings panel and to avoid too much
CPU load.
On a PIII500 MHz laptop we reliably record 2 channels at 96 kHz sampling
rate with real-time spectrographic display and two more running programs to
read GPS data and distribute NMEA strings on the network.
By setting large buffers, that means long latency in the display (in any
case less than 1 sec), we can also run a navigation program such as
OziExplorer. On faster laptops we can reliably run additional programs with
no data losses.
Only very expensive acquisition boards have on-board buffers huge enough to
hold data while the CPU is busy for long time.
But any sound device has its own buffers and buffering schemes that should
be tested in real working conditions to find the most appropriate settings.
Data losses can happen with PCI boards too and the most important
precaution is to keep the CPU and the disk unit as free as possible while
recording (don't forget to suspend email and virus checking!).
Gianni
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Gianni Pavan
Email
Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali
Universita' degli Studi di Pavia
Via Taramelli 24, 27100 PAVIA, ITALIA
Tel +39-0382-987874
Fax +39-02-700-32921
Web http://www.unipv.it/cibra
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