Need help replacing my sound card

Good day


I am in the market to change my E-mu 1212m. It's not that I suddenly have issues with it (although I never got around its' mixer), but I am looking to re-arrange my studio setup.
My reasoning will become more obvious as I explain this setup.

I have three synths and a microphone hooked to a Mackie VLZ console. The console outputs go to the E-mu ins and into Sonar. There soft synths are added and the mix is worked. I get stereo out from E-mu and into the Mackie again, to feed my Tannoy active monitors.

I do not enjoy this setup as it's extra space, cables and distance and electronics the audio signal goes through.
That's why I a looking at USB/FW soundcards.

Problem is, from what I read, experience and hear, the E-mu was a damn fine card, it's not that easily replaceable apparently. It's mixer though.. it's a pain.

So, it all boils down to choices:

1. Get a used E-mu 1820m
2. Stick with the E-mu 1212m
3. Get a new sound card.

I've been looking at the TC Electronic Impakt Twin, Focusrite Scarlett 18i6, Presonus Firestudio Mobile, Alesis IO26, MOTU 828 mkIII Hybrid.

I am making electronic music so plugging guitars is not something important at all. My microphone goes through a Presonus Tube Pre so mic pres aren't such a great concern either.

I am mostly interested in good latency, solid drivers, user-friendliness and most importantly, audio quality: low noise, good DACs, good dynamic range and stereo spread.


Thank you for your time.


PS. Feel free to suggest me anything that is not on my list. RMEs however are out of my financial league.

The UA-1G is small to accomodate my hardware synths though..

I have had Emu cards in the past and also could not stand the mixer that was needed with it (software mixer).

I currently use a Focusrite Saffire interface. The model I use is no longer made but there is a replacement for it that is 2 channel and USB based.  Set the DSP mixer one time and forget it.

The Focusrite has 2 audio inputs and 1 midi input. 8 outputs give me plenty of outs for everything I need and more.

I simply open my Cake DAW and start working. No software mixer to mess with. The cables from the keyboard to the mixer, and from the mic and guitar POD2 are the only cables I need.

BTW: With the Focusrite Saffire, I do NOT need or use any kind of external mixer. It seems that Focusrite has taken the step to include a really sweet and clean preamp in the audio inputs so..... no mixer needed. Tone is controlled in the box with plugs or if there are tone knobs in the channel strip.

It seems that all your requirements are met with Focusrite. I like them because they provide a solid and reliable, good sounding product that just plain works.

If your 1212M is fairly recent, you can buy the 1616M Micro dock.  It won't solve your "mixer" problem though. 

Old55


If you're 1212M is fairly recent, you can buy the 1616M Micro dock.  It won't solve your "mixer" problem though. 

You can't use the daughter card for the 1212m and the 1616m microdock at the same time. The mixer is difficult at first but when you get used to it, it's very flexable.
 
My advice for patchmix, just keep making changes and insert and take them away till it just clicks.
 
I can help a little though. If you create a strip for the 2 trs inputs, you will need to create a send for that strip for Sonar to see. You can insert effects below or above the send you create. If the effect is above the send, you will record that effect. If the effect is inserted below the send, you can record dry while hearing an effected sound.
 
You can create multiple sends for one strip and record a signal dry and another wet. So from top to bottom you would put a send, effect below it then another send. It's been a while so I can't go further for you. I hope I'm pointing you in the right direction.

Thank you all for the discussion.

I am still not convinced that I will get a significant improvement with any new card (at least below the 400 euro range).. The more I read, the more I appreciate Emu's DACs.

The Octa-Capture is a monster of a card, but out of my league.
I found someone giving an 1820m, maybe it would be for the best to go for it.

@GuitarPrima: Actually that makes a lot of sense. Thanks!


Still undecided.. mostly because I can't find anywhere that these new cards will be better than the Emu.

Guitarpima


I used to have a 1616m and went to a Roland Octa-Capture and could not be happier. It's usb and has great drivers, great pres and very low latency. The sound quality is great also. Somewhere further back in this  section of the forum there is thread about it with links to a great review.

I did the same thing. coming from the same place.  The ROC is outstanding.

You have all been very helpfull and I appreciate that.

Youe posts made me think in various directions and actually evaluate my workflow, trying to base my decision on the "comfort" factor, as Guitarhacker wrote "most of the cards on the market have very similar specs".

Late at night I was thinking that propably each and every one of these units would suit me fine, as had the E-mu.
So I started revising my choices and actually thinking how my work process has evolved during these years. I realized that, lately, I tend to use more and more soft synths, that started me questioning the necessity for more inputs. Then again, it's always nice to have more inputs.

Then I thought of the review I read on SoundonSound about the TC Electronic Konnekt 6.

I was totally in love with the interface and physical surface of this. Plus, it was the only unit that an official review specifically stated that it's much better sound than the (very good) Emu 1820m.
If I ever want the extra inputs in case I miss my hardware synths I can always drop them on my mackie and into the Konnekt.

The Konnekt 6 drivers seems now solid and the unit offers apparently some great DACs, sounding great and clear.
I was even lucky enough to find one in great shape and price.

Again, thank you since you made me really think they way I make music and work with audio interfaces.


If you want to share any more thoughts on this and this new development, I'd be more than happy to keep the discussion going.