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Description
The Edirol FA-101 is a dynamic audio interface designed for musicians who demand high-quality sound both in the studio and on the road. As Edirol's first foray into FireWire technology, this interface stands out with 10x10 channels that deliver stunning 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution. Whether you're capturing live performances or laying down studio tracks, the FA-101's full-duplex capability ensures seamless recording and monitoring of all 10 channels simultaneously.
Musicians on the move will appreciate its portability, as the FA-101 draws its power directly from the FireWire bus, eliminating the need for cumbersome power adapters. Its sturdy metal chassis is built to endure the demands of touring and live gigs, making it a reliable companion for performance DJs and recording artists alike. The interface also boasts two phantom-powered mic preamps with XLR/TRS combo jacks, offering pristine sound for both condenser and dynamic microphones.
With a plethora of I/O options, including six balanced TRS inputs and eight outputs, the FA-101 can handle the complexity of a full band's setup. The front-mounted S/PDIF optical I/Os provide effortless digital audio transfer, and the integrated MIDI interface allows seamless integration with synthesizers or controller keyboards for direct sequencing. For those seeking superior audio fidelity, the FA-101 offers stereo recording and playback capabilities at a remarkable 24-bit/192kHz resolution, rivaling DVD-A & Super Audio CD quality.
Key Features:
- FireWire bus-powered for true portability
- 10x10 channels with 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution
- Stereo I/O at 24-bit/192kHz quality
- Two phantom-powered XLR/TRS combo mic preamps
- Six 1/4" balanced TRS inputs and eight outputs
- S/PDIF optical I/Os for digital audio transfer
- Built-in MIDI interface for seamless integration
Videos
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EDIROL FA-101 INTERFACE BY ROLAND RECORDING DRUMS AND GUITAR ... GARAGEBAND
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Edirol FA-101.
Software and compatibility
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The Edirol FA-101 uses FireWire and is not future-proof, with its last driver update for Windows 8, which may cause issues on newer systems.
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The FA-101 can function as a main sound card in Linux with Jack and FFADO, though setup can be challenging with ALSA and PulseAudio.
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Pipewire is suggested as a simpler alternative to Jack for routing audio on Linux, with visual tools like Helvum patchbay aiding in setup.
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Features and functionality
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The Edirol FA-101 offers more channels, which is appealing for recording multiple inputs despite its dated technology.
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User experience
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Some users experienced significant MIDI timing issues with the FA-101, citing extreme jitter and difficulty in setup, particularly with Sonar software on Windows XP.
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Owners experienced challenges with Linux distro 'borking' when attempting to configure the FA-101, emphasizing the need for careful software setup and potential reinstalling efforts.
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Comparisons
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Behringer UMC202HD, despite being newer, has preamp pad issues that may affect recording high-output pickups, requiring a DI box to mitigate signal distortion.
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Other
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Former Edirol employees noted that FA-101, despite being reliable in the past, lacks modern improvements and updates, making newer models more advantageous.
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Setup and maintenance
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Users often face issues with Jack server setup, requiring careful configuration to avoid errors like memory allocation failures and hardware parameter settings.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 8 Ratings
605
Excellent interface. Still have two of them.
Top notch kit, top notch quality.
Still use these with Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt to FireWire adaptors. Still work just as they always did.
All the ins and outs you need, 24 bit 192 kHz - no need for anything else is there? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Genre Usage
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