Anyone who has been involved in computer-based audio production for a long time has probably owned a FireWire audio interface. With the announcement that Apple will no longer be supporting FireWire in Ventura you might think that FireWire is finally dead, however in truth for all but a very few people it's been dead for a long time.

It seemed like the natural choice in the mid 2000s but the dominance of USB and Thunderbolt seem to suggest that this is a case of what might have been. Let's look at some of the prevalent choices for data connections on audio interfaces of the last few years and see what if anything can be learned when planning future purchases.

In the ever-evolving world of audio production technology, one of the most crucial aspects is the type of connection interface you choose. Whether you're an amateur or a seasoned professional, the data connection and driver are the things which will become obsolete soonest.

The Rise and Fall of FireWire

FireWire, initially released as IEEE 1394, became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, primarily in the Apple ecosystem. IEEE 1394, otherwise known as FireWire, started as one of those rare moments where competing companies come together and cooperate to create a non-proprietary solution. FireWire could have been like Midi, one of those technology gifts to the world. It wasn't to be, though it came close.  With Apple, Sony and Intel, amongst others collaborating on the project it looked like this new serial bus was going to occupy the space eventually filled by the technically inferior USB. Though the technology remained the same, IEEE 1394 was marketed under various names for example Sony named it i.LINK and DV-input, Apple went with FireWire and Texas Interments for some reason referred to it as Lynx. Apple controlled the FireWire name and at a crucial point when Intel were poised to incorporate FireWire, opening up a huge market beyond just the audio and video applications which early adopters had favoured, Apple decided to introduce a $1 per port fee, a decision which killed the idea of adoption with Intel. This fee was later reduced but it was too late. FireWire was of course central to Apple’s ecosystem through the early 2000s, eventually being abandoned in 2008. It's easy to forget that earlier iPods featured a FireWire 400 port.

Pros of FireWire:

• Impressive Speed: FireWire was fast, with FireWire 400 reaching up to 400Mbps and FireWire 800 hitting 800Mbps. This speed advantage was notable compared to USB 1.1's 12Mbps and USB 2.0's 480Mbps.

• Low CPU Load: FireWire operations were efficient and demanded less from your computer's CPU compared to USB, allowing more processing power for audio tasks.

• Full-Duplex Data Transfer: FireWire supported simultaneous bidirectional data transfer (full-duplex). This was crucial for handling audio projects.

The Resilience of USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is perhaps the most ubiquitous of all connection interfaces in computing. Over the years, USB has evolved from its 1.0 version to the latest USB-4, continuously improving its data transfer rates, power delivery, and overall capabilities. It's important to remember what preceded USB, a hodge-podge of incompatible connectors. While FireWire was planned as a serial bus which could be used with less demanding peripherals such as keyboards and mice, it was never ideal for such low-cost applications. Ultimately while initially not suitable for the kind of tasks FireWire excelled in, USB got better. A lot better. And the thing about USB is that it did manage to break through and achieve the mass market penetration that ultimately eluded FireWire.

Something which gives USB lasting appeal is its backward compatibility. This enables new devices to interface with older technology, thus extending the life of your gear. USB's universal adoption across various platforms and devices, from PCs to smartphones, also makes it an ideal candidate for longevity in the rapidly changing tech environment.

Its ubiquity, retrospective compatibility and economies of scale really benefit USB. It’s messy when you get into the detail but the perception of it being ‘universal’ really does apply in this case. Class compliant devices further reinforce the “universal” angle, with true plug and play device compatibility with the need to install proprietary drivers taken for granted by many Mac users. The situation with connectors is messy, with an array of legacy connectors but luckily this doesn’t impact on audio interfaces. The current USB C connector shares the same connector as Thunderbolt, causing confusion for some.

Pros Of USB

• Truly mass market. It justifies the use of the term ‘universal’. It’s recognised and understood by everyone.

• Although slow at the beginning, the 480mbps of USB 2 was fast enough for common tasks, reducing the appeal of faster alternatives apart from for those who really needed the speed. USB 3’s 5Gbps is fast enough to connect data and even system drives. USB 4 is faster still.

Thunderbolt: The Premium Option

Thunderbolt, particularly its latest versions 3 and 4, offers exceptional data transfer speeds and can carry video, audio, and even power over a single cable. Though commonly found in higher-end, professional-grade equipment, Thunderbolt is becoming increasingly popular in consumer devices. Although initially created as ‘Light Peak’, and developed and backed by Intel, it’s strongly associated with Apple. Support in Apple devices make it the default choice for a faster than USB interface among Mac users. The first version offered a bidirectional 10 gigabits per second, twice the speed of USB 3 and the current Thunderbolt 3 is four times as fast at 40 gigabits per second.

The downside is cost. Thunderbolt requires dedicated controllers and the cables are expensive. In a world where USB is good enough for most tasks it’s hard to get high performance alternatives adopted in a sector as price conscious as computing. But for audio applications this speed equates to low latency making Thunderbolt the premium choice.

Unlike Firewire, Thunderbolt 3 and 4 are fully compatible with USB-C, which is considered the future of USB technology. One downside of this is that Thunderbolt and USB conflation has occurred in the minds of some users. It shares the connector type but USB and Thunderbolt ports, cables and peripherals are not the same. While Thunderbolt may seem like a premium option due to its cost, its capabilities and forward-thinking integration with USB-C make it a more robust, future-proof choice.

Pros Of Thunderbolt

• Fast, like really fast.

• Less vulnerable to obsolescence than FireWire due to involvement of some major players but will always be more expensive than USB.

The Consistency of Ethernet: Dante, AVB and Ravenna

While USB and Thunderbolt are formidable contenders in the future-proofing game, they face stiff competition from network-based audio protocols like Dante and RAVENNA. These technologies run on standard Ethernet networks, often using consistently reliable CAT5e or CAT6 cabling. Ethernet has stood the test of time, having been used extensively for data transfer across multiple sectors, from office spaces to large data centres. Its enduring nature makes it a likely candidate for long-term relevance.

Where USB or Thunderbolt are very capable for a studio setup, Dante and RAVENNA are particularly useful for large-scale or complicated setups like live events, broadcast scenarios, or large studio environments. They provide high-quality, low-latency audio transmission across long distances, a challenge that traditional audio interfaces like USB and Thunderbolt may struggle to meet.

These network-based solutions offer scalability that is hard to match with traditional interfaces. As they operate over Ethernet, you can expand your setup with minimal fuss, simply by adding devices to the network. The ability to route audio signals flexibly across an extensive network using existing cabling and switches also adds a layer of versatility that traditional audio interfaces can't easily replicate.

Exactly what system you use with Ethernet cables and infrastructure depends on your specific demands but there are solutions for all. Amongst others Dante is very popular, this proprietary system offers ease of use and guaranteed compatibility between hardware, AVB is an extension of the Ethernet standard and has been adopted by companies like PreSonus and Avid, Waves support their DigiGrid system and the open source RAVENNA system is popular in broadcast. 

Pros Of AoIP

• Ethernet is a standard as opposed to being proprietary. It’s not going anywhere, although wired network ports are disappearing from laptops.

• Networks don’t require point to point cabling. A device on a network can communicate with any other connected device, unlike a serial bus like USB or Thunderbolt.

• AoIP accommodates decentralised systems. You can add additional IO as needs dictate and IO can be located anywhere in a system. There’s no need for a big, central interface.

Conclusion

So, what's the takeaway? While no technology can be declared definitively future-proof, some options are better suited for long-term viability than others. USB's universal adoption and backward compatibility make it a safe bet for most applications. Though it isn’t the best choice for demanding applications. Thunderbolt's high-speed data transfer offer a more capable premium choice.

However, for complex or large-scale applications, Ethernet based AoIP stands out as an option due to its scalability, flexibility, and the enduring nature of network technology. When choosing an audio interface, it's important to consider these factors. Whether you're setting up a home studio or planning a mobile system, the longevity of your investment depends on making an informed, forward-thinking choice.

Price is a key factor in adoption. USB is dominant, not because it’s the best but because it’s the cheapest and it’s good enough. Market forces, support from manufacturers and standards bodies all help but it’s hard to cut through to the mass market. Thankfully the choices for demanding work are all relatively robust these days in terms of obsolescence but as we know, change is inevitable, nowhere more so than in computers!