E-Mu 0404 PCI

Surprising little on this card on the forum. I'd be using it with PE7 on a Rain Solstice 02, XP Pro, Athlong dual core, etc.

First, how are the converters? Obviously, for $99, not the top, but are they quality overall?

Second, how about hardware/software issues, especially compatibility? Anyone have any issues?

Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you!

I'm not much for the technical specs on these things but the card works nicely and sounds good to me. The front end software for it, Patchmix is extremely flexible and therefore is somewhat obtuse in it's workings. I can see where it could provide some additional flexibility mainly in the area of listening to a processed signal while tracking a dry signal although I don't use it like that. Basically I hooked it up and went so compatiblity with my hardware was not an issue.

Echo Beagle's concerns about Vista (I'm XP).

The other thing I think is cool about it is that it came bundled with Sonar LE. This seems like a good way for folks getting into DAW use to get a nice recording soundcard and to checkout a smaller version of the Sonar line before plunking down the cash for a full blown software package.

I've used the 0404 for a year and the only problem I found was the initial setting up. Once that was sorted it ran trouble fre and, to my ears, with excellent audio quality. Tech support was responsive and quick.
re Vista driver; a beta version is downloadable from the EMU site and they have been promising the final version for several months, no sign of it yet!
In fact with my new Vista computer I've opted to go for a USB audio interface (Tascam 122L) that has a Vista driver fully developed.
Gareth

Fantastic, thank you all so much, glad to hear it. It'll be paired with a Rain Solstice 02 w/XP Pro, so compatibility shouldn't be a problem. Just waiting on the Rain, so to speak.

Already using Sonar 7PE on an ADK machine, so as long as it's compatibile with XP Pro and SPE 7, I'll be in great shape.

Thanks again. One last thing - I assume I shouldn't have a problem with the audio outs going to KRK Rocket 8s (powered monitors)? Now they are plugged into a d/a/board interface (Phonic MK II Firewire). Thanks.

Thanks - mgh: Dumb question, but I assume you mean out from the 0404, to the Phonic, and out the Phonic to the monitors?

Thanks.

that's ok then. if speakers need balanced inputs sometimes using unbalanced can damage them over time...but you look ok. but i still think having the phonic as a pre-amp for ur mikes and as a monitoring station will be good - so outs on phonic to ins on 0404, outs on 0404 to ins (usually called 'aux in' or 'tape in' or something) and then monitors out from control rm...