Cheap laptop audio interface for playback

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natevenet@gmail.com
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2008/09/24 19:15:26 (permalink)

Cheap laptop audio interface for playback

Hey all. I'm running Sonar 7 Studio Edition on a Thinkpad T61 with Vista Home Premium (32 bit). For recording I had a Presonus FireStudio, which works phenomenally.

My dilemma is this: the on-board sound doesn't have a high enough bit rate to play back Sonar files. I want something (PCMCIA, Cardbus, USB, Firewire are my available ports) that I can throw in my laptop case so I can do work when I'm away from home. I don't need to be able to record; I just need a headphone out so I can sit at a table somewhere and do some basic editing.

Any suggestions?
post edited by natevenet@gmail.com - 2008/09/24 19:16:57
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    Lanceindastudio
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    RE: Cheap laptop audio interface for playback 2008/09/24 20:12:09 (permalink)
    Well if you have a cardbus slot, get this:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/Echo-Indigo-IO-Laptop-Sound-Card-Cardbus-NIB-IndigoIO_W0QQitemZ310084007224QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item310084007224&_trkparms=72%3A1205|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

    Ive used one, works awesome. Echo products are great. These are 199- from musiciansfriend.com so ebay has great deals on them.

    It will provide very low latency operation.

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    RRabbi
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    RE: Cheap laptop audio interface for playback 2008/09/24 20:26:00 (permalink)
    Using the ASIO4ALL drivers, my internal Sigmatel soundcard in the Dell laptop can be run in Sonar (24 bit)... I wonder what the soundcard is in the Lenovo laptop...

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    natevenet@gmail.com
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    RE: Cheap laptop audio interface for playback 2008/09/24 21:35:38 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: RRabbi

    Using the ASIO4ALL drivers, my internal Sigmatel soundcard in the Dell laptop can be run in Sonar (24 bit)... I wonder what the soundcard is in the Lenovo laptop...


    It's onboard Soundmax Digital Audio


    I also realize I misspoke; I have an express card slot, not a cardbus.
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    Guitarhacker
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    RE: Cheap laptop audio interface for playback 2008/09/25 08:27:32 (permalink)
    Many of the Firewire & USB interfaces are small enough to carry easily. I have a Dell 1721, and use a Focusrite Saffire that has 2 headphone jacks on the front w/ volume controls... and it's small enough to travel easily. I could also plug in a mic & guitar (2 channels) to record ideas. The Saffire is firewire...extremly low latency and about $300 new.
    post edited by Guitarhacker - 2008/09/25 08:28:34

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    neptunefix
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    RE: Cheap laptop audio interface for playback 2008/10/06 09:58:54 (permalink)
    Using a PCMIA or Cardbus card would be preferred because it doesnt need to be carried around, but if you don't go that route:

    I got the Edirol UA-1ex for my macbook and it works like a charm. It is USB and probably the smallest thing you'll find. It's around $70. I've gotten pretty low latencies on my 24bit Sonar projects using that thing. I consider it to only be a small step below my M-Audio 2496 PCI card.
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