• SONAR
  • please recommend ASIO soundcard under 200 bucks (p.4)
2015/03/11 00:21:39
Larry Jones
This thing looks good. I have no idea if it works, but it looks exactly like my ancient M-Audio Audiophile 2496, which works great.
2015/03/11 01:14:02
AT
The Creative cards ain't bad hardware.  The drivers suck and there is loads of bloatware.  Otherwise, I managed to mix fine on mine 12 years ago or so.  and as pointed out above, latency isn't a problem as long as you are mixing.   
 
One thing, of course, is that even if another unit is slightly better, if you have the skills and an engineer's ears you should be able to make use of that slight improvement.  Just like a better instrument, or room or anything else.
 
I don't know if it is still a problem but my old Audigy worked at 48 kHz.  It did recalculations for any other spec - on the fly.  And that was badly done.  something to be aware of.
 
I still think the best deal around is the Tascam u-7000 for $400.  It provides 2 premium preamps, great conversion (it has been called a poor man's Lynx's Hilo but I wouldn't go that far), USB and digital in/out.  You could integrate it into your Delta recordings if it has digital ins and can use USB for your mixing.
 
good luck,
 
@
2015/03/11 03:44:57
Sanderxpander
If I understand your needs correctly, you want the best possible mixing quality with as little frills as possible, for 200 bucks or less. You're using a desktop computer with PCI slots.

In that case I would look for a second hand PCI based pro card. Literally replace your Soundblaster. You have to be certain you have a PCI slot, not just PCI express ones. But for instance I've seen RME HDSPe 9632 on eBay for around that price and that is, way, way better than the entry level Focusrite boxes. I use an E-MU 1212M myself (actually with the expansion box, so really an 1820M) that I'm still happy with, those should be quite cheap by now and they're pretty good. ESI Juli@ is another one, though I'm not sure about Windows 7 drivers (because I simply haven't checked).

But if you could get a second hand 9632 for around your pricepoint, that would last you a LONG time. It's really high quality and you can get separate I/O expansions if you do need more in the future. RME drivers are rock solid too.
2015/03/11 07:37:00
roddey_phipps
currentlly I have the Sound Blaster Audigy FX. I looked on the Creative Site, and it was not listed as one of their soundcards that use ASIO drivers. I've looked online anyway, and could not find them. Possible I didnt look hard enough....
2015/03/11 10:30:47
mettelus
http://support.creative.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?catID=1&CatName=Sound+Blaster&prodID=21690&prodName=Sound+Blaster+Audigy+Fx
 
Was the only Creative link I could find to their drivers, but you may already have these. A first step to checking your system is to completely uninstall ASIO4ALL and try the different driver modes within SONAR (Edit->Preferences->Audio->Playback and Recording). You may also need to make sure that the mode set in Windows sound properties (on the Advanced tab) is set to the same rate/bit depth as the project you are mixing.
 
One thing I have noticed with my Realtek/Saffire combo (I use both), is that Windows will "mess with" whatever SONAR is using unless explicitly told not to. I have speakers connected to both (one caveat to this), so on the Windows->Sound->Playback I have the Realtek "Set Default." This way Windows itself doesn't use/conflict with my Saffire when turned on/off. You may not need to do this, but you can also assign the Realtek as default in Windows so that the Audigy is not used by it. You can also switch this back and forth at will between mixing sessions as well (without a second set of speakers connected, you won't get any Windows sounds by doing this).
2015/03/11 12:14:08
BobF
If you're plan is to upgrade later, spend $300 now for a Tascam 16x08.  Works great with Win8.1x64 and S-Plat.
 
Having more OUTs will give you the ability to try different speakers while mixing without having to recable.
 
 
2015/03/11 15:00:08
g_randybrown
Not to hijack but I have a quick (maybe dumb) question.
I have my Sonar PC and internet/office PC at the same desk.
I sometimes use my active monitors (Event 2020 BAS) w/sub for sound from my internet PC and will swap out the usb cables.
Is there a solution for me to do this without physically switching out usb cables?
Thanks very much,
Randy
2015/03/11 15:02:39
BobF
USB cables?  Are you moving an interface between two machines, or are the monitors getting audio via USB?
 
2015/03/11 15:10:17
g_randybrown
Thanks Bob,
The output from the interface (Presonus Audiobox vsl22) is XLR to the monitors...what I'm doing is switching out the usb input from each computer.
Thanks again,
Randy
2015/03/11 15:24:52
BobF
OK, so you're switching the input to the interface between PCs ...
 
I'm confused.  Looking at pics of the 22VSL, the main outs are 1/4" (I assume balanced).  The XLR connections are for mic inputs.
 
I use a Samson C-Control to select different inputs to different speakers, either together or individually.  There are other makes/models for this concept.  I don't use everything it is capable of, but it works great for what I'm using it for.
 
To use something like this you would need audio outputs from both PCs.  If your office PC has a built-in audio interface, you would cable that output to the C-Control/similar.  Leave the 22VSL connected to the DAW and cable its outputs to the C-Control/similar.  Then plug the monitors into the C-Control/similar.  Once connected, leave everything plugged in and select via buttons.
 
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