Rock solid Audiocard wanted!

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metz
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2011/10/10 07:16:01 (permalink)

Rock solid Audiocard wanted!

Hey!

I need a rock solid audiocard for use with Sonar X1 (expanded). I'm SO tired of weird problems. I have a Delta 66 (that obviously have problems with my Asus motherboard). And I also have  a cheap Roland UA1-G.

I don't even want to go into the problems because I've spoken to tons of people about them and I'm giving up. I need to buy something that just works. I don't want to put more hours on troubleshooting. I want to make music again.

Any ideas? All I really need is the ability to plug in a XLR-microphone, Electric Guitar and it should be capable of low latency and output to my Genelec 6010A (RCA) and of course have a headphone-jack. PCI-card or USB. Doesn't matter as long as the latency is low. I've been looking at the Roland Quad Capture but it seems to be quite a new card wich makes me a bit worried that the drivers might not be as stable as an older card.

I run Windows 7 64-bit (Ultimate), Sonar X1 Expanded, 12GB Ram, Intel SSD, Asus P6X58D-E, Intel i7 970.

I just want a card I can connect and forget. I want to make music, not troubleshoot.

Pardon my poor english!

Check me out at:
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/M


#1

27 Replies Related Threads

    gustabo
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 07:32:43 (permalink)
    Have you looked at the MOTU UltraLite Hybrid?


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    #2
    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 07:40:31 (permalink)
    Look at the Focusrite interfaces and M-Audio. 

    I think stability issues are the result of software, OS and driver issues rather then the soundcard, assuming you have a fairly decent "pro" level card. 

    I have never had a problem in 4+ years with my Focusrite Saffire running on either my laptop (Vista OS) or now on my desktop DAW running XP32. It's firewire and runs perfectly fine. 

    The problems I get now on rare occasions tend to be software related glitches. 

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    #3
    thomasabarnes
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 09:16:43 (permalink)
    In the lower price range, check out the MOTU Products.

    Higher priced but better quality: get a RME FireFace 400/800, UC or UFX.

    You get what you pay for.

    That said, I'm sure the MOTU UltraLite-MK3 Hybird will fulfill your expectations. The RME audio interfaces will more than exceed your expectations.

    For my next audio interface, I plan on getting the RME FireFace 800. I'll have enough for it by next April or May, if not sooner. :)
    post edited by thomasabarnes - 2011/10/10 09:27:13


    "It's not a song till it touches your heart. It's not a song till it tears you apart!" Lyrics of Amy Grant.

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    #4
    AT
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 10:05:10 (permalink)
    RME is the acknowledged leader in drivers, which is what you seem to be wanting.

    On the cheaper side just be sure to be able to return your soundcard for the next model.  The specs are about the same in the price range, so if you have problems with a new Motu switch it for the focusrite.  Life is to short to be spending a lot of time trying to make one card work.

    My favorite, taking in your needs, would be the TC Konneck 6.  Here in the USA it is cheap - $200.  One preamp, stereo in and out.  Drivers are good these days, while the sound is above average.  Hard to beat for a 2X2 - but no midi.

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    #5
    Twigman
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 10:23:42 (permalink)
    I have the RME9632 PCI card....It has an XLR breakout cable so may fit your requirements.
    There is a PCIe version these days.
    No onboard pre-amps though.
    Drivers work well.
    Latency is never a problem.

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    #6
    LJB
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 10:28:16 (permalink)
    RME 9652 or RME UFX - I have both. Built like a tank, supefast drivers, excellent support and my 9652 is about 8 years old and still rocking.

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    #7
    StarTekh
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 12:27:32 (permalink)
    Metz: its more than likely its the motherboard chipset ...but il post
    info for you to try..

    http://www.asus.com/Mothe...1366/P6X58DE/#download

    Description Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility V9.1.1.1020 for Windows 32/64bit XP & 32/64bit Vista & 32/64bit Windows 7.(WHQL) File Size 5,75 (MBytes) 2009.11.04  update
    note its the only chipset driver for your board and not be'ing updated...

    I would consider Bios 0701..

    Delta 66 05/31/2011 Installer: 6.0.5 - Driver: 5.10.0.5076 Delta Series Installer 6.0.5_Driver 5.10.0.5076.exe
    the aboue are SP1 win 7 64b

    Delta 66 11/14/2009 Installer: 6.0.2 - Driver: 5.10.0.5074 Delta_6.0.2_5.10.0.5074.exe

    are with out SP 1.. personaly id be running SP1 and its drivers
    Note this is a 1 shot deal..good luck !!
    #8
    JonD
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 13:15:23 (permalink)
    Metz,

    If you can afford an RME interface, that would be the way to go, IMO.

    Otherwise, Roland Quad or Octa-Capture.  Solid drivers with very low latencies.   Nothing but good reviews about these units from Sonar users on this forum.


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    #9
    Brandon Ryan [Roland]
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 13:21:12 (permalink)
    There are a number of good interfaces out there these days that are reliable and some with solid low latency performance. Price range is a big factor as it relates to number of I/O, pre's,  etc.

    The team here are big fans of Roland's Capture series. Quad's and Octa's are working for us day in and day out at very low-latencies. I've been able to reliably use 1.1ms on fast Sandy-Bridge based desktop machines.

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    #10
    Jackel
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 13:25:53 (permalink)
    FWIW.  I have been extremely happy with my Mackie Blackbird.  Im running win7 64 with 12gig ram and a gigabyte motherboard.  I plugged it in and it has worked since then.  No problems at all.  setup was easy as well.

    Jeff 
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    #11
    Lanceindastudio
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 13:29:04 (permalink)
    hmm... that Delta card should be fine - Maybe it is an IRQ thing- Tried switching pci slots?

    Lance

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    #12
    tvolhein
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 13:30:19 (permalink)
    RME Fireface 400 or 800.  +1

    Tom Volhein
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    #13
    pbognar
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 15:17:08 (permalink)
    Lanceindastudio


    hmm... that Delta card should be fine - Maybe it is an IRQ thing- Tried switching pci slots?

    Lance


    M-audio Fast Track Ultra?  Lot's of I/O.
    #14
    dappa1
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 15:40:17 (permalink)
    Definately a Focusrite, excellent Pre's.

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    Guitarpima
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 18:29:19 (permalink)
    I get 1.1ms @ 24/44.1. I can get 1.0ms @ 24/96 with a recording bit depth of 96khz. A very good AI.

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    #16
    Jim Roseberry
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 18:37:52 (permalink)
    Given that you've had so much trouble, I'd question whether the issue is deeper than just the audio interface.
    The Delta series generally works well.
     
    RME is certainly known for being rock-solid...
    But if you attach an RME unit to a problematic machine, you're still going to have problems.
     
    Rock-solid machine + rock-solid audio interface = trouble-free experience
     
    IOW, I'd make sure your machine isn't a culprit. 
    post edited by Jim Roseberry - 2011/10/10 18:45:00

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    #17
    Lanceindastudio
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 18:43:45 (permalink)
    Exactly what I was thinking Jim-

    Those Delta setups have been around a long time and don't really screw up usually-

    Jim Roseberry


    Given that you've had so much trouble, I'd question whether the issue is deeper than just the audio interface.
    The Delta series generally works well.
     
    RME is certainly known for being rock-solid...
    But if you attach and RME unit to a problematic machine, you're still going to have problems.
     
    Rock-solid machine + rock-solid audio interface = trouble-free experience
     
    IOW, I'd make sure your machine isn't a culprit. 




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    #18
    SF_Green
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/10 19:18:44 (permalink)
    +1 RME

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    #19
    metz
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/11 09:33:30 (permalink)
    StarTekh


    Metz: its more than likely its the motherboard chipset ...but il post
    info for you to try..

    http://www.asus.com/Mothe...1366/P6X58DE/#download

    Description Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility V9.1.1.1020 for Windows 32/64bit XP & 32/64bit Vista & 32/64bit Windows 7.(WHQL) File Size 5,75 (MBytes) 2009.11.04  update
    note its the only chipset driver for your board and not be'ing updated...

    I would consider Bios 0701..

    Delta 66 05/31/2011 Installer: 6.0.5 - Driver: 5.10.0.5076 Delta Series Installer 6.0.5_Driver 5.10.0.5076.exe
    the aboue are SP1 win 7 64b

    Delta 66 11/14/2009 Installer: 6.0.2 - Driver: 5.10.0.5074 Delta_6.0.2_5.10.0.5074.exe

    are with out SP 1.. personaly id be running SP1 and its drivers
    Note this is a 1 shot deal..good luck !!


    --------

    Hey! Thanks for all the replies. Beleive me I've done EVERYTHING I possibly can. I've changed slots for the Delta, reinstalled, updated all drivers, reverted to old drivers, upgraded BIOS etc etc etc.... I do computer support for a living so I've tried everything but another card. The Delta is a great card, but during my search for answers I've found other people with Asus motherboards to have weird problems. I've even tried another motherboard, sadly this was before I found out about the problems with Asus so I got another one from.... Asus... ;-) Anyway, I just dont care anymore. I'm willing to fork out for a new card. The Delta has been around for a long time. So I actually look forward to getting something new. If it doesnt occupy a PCI-slot, it's a pure bonus.


    I'm going to check out your suggestions but spontaniously I think that the Roland Quadcapture seems quite right for my needs. And in my world a Roland card should work great with a Cakewalk-product. At least I hope so.

    Again, thanks for all the suggestions!


    Check me out at: 
    http://perihelion.bandcamp.com 
    https://www.facebook.com/perihelionmusic 

    /M 
    #20
    StarTekh
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/11 11:42:41 (permalink)
    Metz: good support, from time to time there are combos that just
    wont land, is it the card/motherboard, who knows, its time for you
    to move on and Roland unit sounds very nice to me, good luck !!
    #21
    StarTekh
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/11 12:24:37 (permalink)
    Metz: long shot !!

    http://downloadcenter.int...ng&wapkw=x58%20inf

    File name:

    infinst_autol.exe
    Version:
    9.2.0.1030


  • Download


    Date:
    04/21/2011 Status:
    Latest
    Note these drivers are 1030 asus's is 1020..good luck
  • #22
    Ludvig
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/11 14:06:53 (permalink)
    Another vote for the Roland Capture-series!

    Best Regards
    Ludvig

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    #23
    Eraser
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/11 14:08:06 (permalink)
    Also +1 for RME.
     
    I use an RME Fireface 800 and it is solid and dependable.
    #24
    StarTekh
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/11 16:18:00 (permalink)
    metz: il do a little more free support.. in your bios turn off ...
    Via Firewire
    Turbo/Turbo-V

    im reading your manual as to see what else i can turm off...What
    is/are your video devices's... what is the speed of your memory and is this system overclock'd>?
    #25
    Lanceindastudio
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/11 17:01:48 (permalink)
    Bang for buck in this case is Roland Octa or Quad capture-

    Awesome drivers, USB connectiion, low latency performance is great, sound is really good-

    Lance

    Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS Motherboard   
    i7 3770k CPU
    32 gigs RAM
    Presonus AudioBox iTwo
    Windows 10 64 bit, SONAR PLATINUM 64 bit
    Lots of plugins and softsynths and one shot samples, loops
    Gauge ECM-87, MCA SP-1, Alesis AM51
    Presonus Eureka
    Mackie HR824's and matching subwoofer
    #26
    metz
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/12 02:08:45 (permalink)
    StarTekh


    metz: il do a little more free support.. in your bios turn off ...
    Via Firewire
    Turbo/Turbo-V

    im reading your manual as to see what else i can turm off...What
    is/are your video devices's... what is the speed of your memory and is this system overclock'd>?

    Hey StarTekh! Thanks a LOT for all your effort! But I've tried all of the above. But I haven't tried the latest chipset-driver you found. I will install it this evening. I have one thats at least three months older. I don't have to high hopes though. My problems have been around for a looong time.


    Again, huge thanks for taking your time with this. I really appriciate it!


    Check me out at:
    http://perihelion.bandcamp.com
    www.facebook.com/perihelionmusic


    /M
    #27
    anotherzen
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    Re:Rock solid Audiocard wanted! 2011/10/12 08:40:43 (permalink)
    +1 for RME

    I use the Babyface USB interface and never had any issues, pure solid stuffs.

    #28
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