ALSA and USB interfaces: limited use?

[canhoto]

Hi

Is it true that ALSA will only use 2 ins and 2 outs with a USB interface, limited to 16 bit and 44100 Hz? Meaning that it's useless to have an USB interface that has. let's say, 4 xlr inputs at 24 bit/96 KHz because ALSA won't care and will use only two at the same time and at 16 bit /44KHz?

Thanks

[eikakot]

It's not true. I'm using NI Komplete Audio 6 and it has more IO

[tatch]

completely false, i'm running an 1818vsl right now with 18 ins and 18 outs. You probably read that for USB1 audio devices, I recall reading about that being an issue for those older devices.

[Shadow_7]

It might be true if your only USB connection point is USB 1.1. But most of those computers are end of life (in theory). There are still a few usb 1.1 devices being used, but I think they go up to 48kHz and 2 in 2 out. The USB 2.x audio specification is younger than my current desktop which is 64 bit and dual core.

[SBW]

As far as I know, the ONLY USB device that can play and record up to 24/192 out of the box with the linux kernel is the EMU-0404. It does not comply with the UAC-2 USB audio standard but it _does_ work.

When it comes to linux, if you want a UAC-2-compatible USB device that can RECORD, you'll have to build one yourself. It would be ugly but I think it could be done by tying together something like this:
http://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-aud ... sbstreamer
and this:
http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/wm8804.aspx