So, why is there now a USB version of the 828mk3, and isn't USB just for keyboards, mice and dongles(we hear you cry)?

Although FireWire (IEEE1394) has been standard on Macintosh computers for many years, many Windows PCs do not come with FireWire connectivity; however, USB 2.0 connections are now standard on both platforms, making the 828mkII USB a versatile choice for a wide range of computer types.

USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, which has a signalling rate of 480Mbs (megabits per second) is a totally different proposition to the original USB specification, which runs at a mere 12Mbs. By way of comparison FireWire 400 has a signalling rate of just under 400Mbs.

The 828mkII USB contains everything you need to turn your Mac or PC computer into a powerful 24-bit, 96kHz digital audio workstation. With simple plug-and-play operation "high-speed" USB 2.0, the 828mkII USB provides 20 inputs and 22 outputs, including 10 channels of pristine 96kHz analog recording and playback, combined with 8 channels of ADAT digital I/O and stereo S/PDIF. Expand your system by connecting additional interfaces.

It provides 8 channels of balanced/unbalanced analog input and output on 1/4" jack using 24-bit converters with 105 dB dynamic range plus an additional 2 front panel mic inputs on XLR with switchable phantom power. Eight channels of 24-bit ADAT lightpipe and stereo S/PDIF I/O provide a grand total of 20 simultaneous inputs and 22 outputs.

The 828mkII USB provides DSP-driven digital mixing and monitoring for all 20 inputs which is controlled from the front panel using six rotary encoders and a 2x16 backlit LCD display. Mix settings such as input gain, panning, +4/-10 input level, 6dB boost, stereo pair grouping, mix output assignment and others can be quickly accessed.

MIDI input and Output, integrated SMPTE Read/Write and 2 additional sends are also included.

The 828mkII USB can be connected to any USB 2.0-equipped Mac or PC. The 828mkII USB provides cross-platform compatibility with Mac OS X (version 10.2 or later), Windows XP and all of your favorite audio software and host-based effects via WDM/ASIO/GSIF/Core Audio drivers. Or you can use the included AudioDesk workstation software for Macintosh, with 24-bit recording/editing and 32-bit mixing/processing/mastering.