getting new soundcard, looking for advise

[Kevin Gorman]

I'm in the market for a new soundcard in 2 weeks and was wondering what would be the best sound for the best price, im looking for a card that has minimal 8 analoge outs, low latency and how good sound it makes when coverting the digital signal through the DAC/ADC's, and will be attached to a Mackie. any pointers?

[DJZeMig_L]

price range??

I wouldn't expect a lot of connections with out forking out a good sum. The least I recommend on a tight budget is a M-Audio Firewire 410!

Z

[Kevin Gorman]

my budgets not really that tight I would say $650 canadian if i HAVE to spend more then that i will but i think $650 is my cap., i would perfer a pci card, and the platform im running off is XP.

[detfella]

i hear great reports of RME soundcards if you're using cubase. I've got a simple delta44 cos I dont master anything on this pc.

[DJZeMig_L]

DO u reallllllly need so many ins & out?


If so I think delta 410 is yer babey...


Z

[SlavikSvensk]

my budgets not really that tight I would say $650 canadian if i HAVE to spend more then that i will but i think $650 is my cap., i would perfer a pci card, and the platform im running off is XP.

hmm...well, i just got the m-audio fw 410 for $400 american, which is less than $650 canadian, i think. or about that. it runs on firewire, so maybe there is something on pci for cheaper, but i have to tell you it was a little annoying to install, but then i finally got it running with cubase and reason (thanks in part to ze) and it sounds fantastic. and zero latency!!!

[Antinoise]

Depends on the platform.. PC or mac.. Laptop or Desktop...

It comes back to my point of a previous post. Firewire sounds cool... but you typically get less for more. I'd stick with a pci based card unless you are on a laptop.

Here is what I said in that last post.....

Within the budget:

EMU: I'm really liking this new product that EMU is releasing (1820). Its feature packed and the price seems right. Multi i/o with the same protools 192khz A/D converters in their new HD system. Mic preamp.. Midi.. etc. $599.. but its being offered for $399 from retailers. Since it’s not out yet there are no reviews so I'm not sure on the driver implementation and latency. (It claims ultra-low latency... ) Emu have also created a software sampler based of the engine of their flagship hardware samplers (with the same killer filter algorithms).. It requires the 1820 and uses the 1820 DSP’s for efx.
1820: click

M-Audio: There are few multi i/o options. The main option is the Delta 1010. There is a rack version (1010) and there is a lite version (1010LT) that just has a snake hanging out the back of the CPU.. but otherwise, its the same. The rack is prettier in the studio but it adds to the cost. 1010=$599, 1010LT=only $279 (street price)
1010/LT: click

Out of the Budget:

RME: For multi i/o the Multiface is the best option. RME are known as the reference in low/latency. This goes for $900 though.. so that’s prob out of the budget.
Multiface: click

Lynx: The Lynx Two cards are $900ish and only have 4i/o but are the best thing for high end a/d-d/a converters besides getting a $3k external A/D box. This is my next purchase for setting up a high end i/o efx chain.
Lynx-Two: click


**I don't want to get down on firewire cards too much as I let on before. There are some cool products coming out... but the fact of the matter is that you pay more for the same or even less. They are great for laptops and macs…

On paper the EMU rocks.. But it just being released and no reviews are out yet.

[Kevin Gorman]

what i want to do is have a spot on the mixer for each piece of sound, ie kick on one, bassline on another, synth on another...etc which will be outputted on a mackie desk. i know eqing can be done on cubase sx, but wouldn't it sound better if it was done hardware? i have been considering the delta 1010LT, what are your opinions about this card by M-audio?

[SlavikSvensk]

well, not necessarily better on the mixer, but here's the great part...you use an 8 i/o board and you can do your mixing on both simultaneously. at least you can with my fw 410...almost assuredly with m-audio's pci card too. that's how i have my rig set up...gives flexibility.

[g]

On paper the EMU rocks.. But it just being released and no reviews are out yet.

that emu does look very interesting.. first time i've seen a soundcard/box with phono pre's built in. nice. and the extra firewire port is cool/odd.

[gustavo]

hi

DELTA1010 VS RME MULTIFACE(8 analgueins+8 outs + optica +spdif etcetc)

they r both good but multiface has got more features + better sound quality of course it will be probably around 850/900 euros
delta1010 is cheaper just go to the respective sites compare the specs

i think multiface will go out of yr price range(i was indecise betwen the 2 1yr ago and based on the opinion of some producers went for the multiface (its a wonderfull card nothing to say)

[DJZeMig_L]

I've said it tons of times RME rocks! Many of the people I know will say that if u r serious about yer music u'll buy RME or Motu... I won't go as far ! ;)

Z

[Kevin Gorman]

thanks for all your input everyone! :), i have desided to go with the M-audio Delta 1010LT, its in my budget and has some good reviews. I ordered it yesterday! i can't wait to start playin :clap:

[SlavikSvensk]

good luck...hope you enjoy it!

[jake]

1010LT is supposed to have some issues with line noise...

[SlavikSvensk]

my fw 410 is slightly noisy too

[jake]

i heard the 1010LT was noisier than their other cards cuz it doesnt use a breakout box.. coming straight from a disgruntled m-audio employee.. (hehe i live in the same city as m-audio woohoo!)

[Kevin Gorman]

noisy in what ways? i know a few people who have this card and never said anything about line noise.

[jake]

any sound card that doesnt have a breakoutbox can pick up noise from the internal components inside yoru computer (ie fans)

[DJZeMig_L]

Later I'll post a review by SOS mag. on 410 Firewire!

Z