MarioD
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Soundcard Advice
Hi all,
I’m looking for a little advice. I’m planing on building Intel i7, 6-8 gig, 64 bit Win 7, two 1 TB 7200 RPM HD music computer; note that this computer will not be on line. I’m looking for suggestions on a PCI sound card with a break out box. I need a minimum of 3 mic inputs/outputs and SPDI/F input/output. I’m looking at some EMU and Delta cards but I’m confused on what to get. Currently I’m using a 7 year old Creative Elite Pro X-Fi card with my 32 bit Win XP music computer but I’m sure there are better cards out there. I’m on a limited budget so I have to stay under $500 USD. Any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated!
Thanx in advance for your time - MarioD
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AT
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/17 14:11:08
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TC Electonic twin is right there on the specs and price (maybe two preamps?). That is for FW.
The focusrite stuff has been getting some love, here. Either FW or USB.
If you are using sonar you should give the Cake hardware a look. People have liked it. I used the VS series (too expensive) but it is good quality. You might be able to find a VS100 cheap used. It sounds fine, tho it also only has 2 mic preamps. You can always pick up the little ART MP DI/Preamp tube unit for -$50. It is a little noisy and the starved plate doesn't rock, but it can sound wonderfully fluffy on Bass.
@
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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Old55
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/17 15:05:07
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I've had good results with Emu. They're very flexible and powerful, but the support software can be tough to learn and set up properly. Once you learn it, you can get good results. If you buy Emu, go for the "M" version of the card. It has better A/D-D/A converters.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot--hey, who the hell are you guys? X2(X3 pending hardware upgrade), Emulator X2, E-mu 1212M, Virtual String Machine
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Beagle
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/17 16:00:21
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Hi Mario! check out my website, I've got some soundcard recommendations and advice there.
I used the M-audio Delta 44 for about 5 years before it died and I went with a unit with more I/O.
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Zuma
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/17 18:18:50
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Old55
I've had good results with Emu. They're very flexible and powerful, but the support software can be tough to learn and set up properly. Once you learn it, you can get good results. If you buy Emu, go for the "M" version of the card. It has better A/D-D/A converters.
Agreed. The converters of the "M" versions and the power and flexibility of Patchmix are hard if not impossible to beat at that price point. You'll have to spend a good chunk of change to beat them. My only problem with EMU is the drivers seem to stay in beta for years... like to the point where I wonder if they're even working on them anymore.
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bapu
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/17 20:05:39
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Just remember, if you go firewire you will most likely (99.986576276%) need a Texas Instruments based firewire port. Wither on the mobo or a PCI-e card.
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jimmyrage
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/17 20:12:52
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bapu
Just remember, if you go firewire you will most likely (99.986576276%) need a Texas Instruments based firewire port. Wither on the mobo or a PCI-e card.
+ 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
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Guitarpima
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/18 00:13:48
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I have the Roland Octa-Capture. It has great drivers and great features. It's a bit above your price but there are some like it in your price range. There are the Quad, tri and duo capture.
Notation, the original DAW. Everything else is just rote. We are who we are and no more than another. Humans, you people are crazy. Win 7 x64 X2 Intel DX58SO, Intel i7 920 2.66ghz 12gb DDR3 ASUS ATI EAH5750 650w PSU 4x WD HDs 320gb DVD, DVD RW Eleven Rack, KRK Rokit 8s and 10s sub
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MarioD
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/18 09:45:32
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Thanx all for you help! AT – yes I can use two pre-amps. Yes I am currently using Sonar 5.2 but I will be upgrading to X1 as soon as I get my computer, hopefully sometime this summer. I will check out the focusrite stuff. I have read that USB2 and FW have higher latency than PCI(e) cards. Do you have any experience in this area? Old55 – yes I was looking at the M versions of their cards. Beagle – thanx for the website tip. Lots of good information there. Bapu – yep Texas Instuments based FW is mandatory. Thanx for reminding me. Guitarpima – the Octa-Capture looks very interesting. How low is the latency?
post edited by MarioD - 2011/06/18 09:47:33
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/18 10:03:52
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I would recommend an external interface not a PCI w/breakout.....
The nice thing with USB is you can easily move it from one machine to another. Such as between a laptop and the desktop.
I built a nice off line studio box last August and I was able to use my Focusrite Saffire... it is firewire and I lucked out with the chipset. I was prepared to buy a new interface but the old FW interface worked just fine.... Since you are building from scratch, and looking for an interface, I would tell you to go with the USB of your choice based on inputs and features you need.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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Beagle
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/18 10:09:50
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MarioD
Thanx all for you help!
AT – yes I can use two pre-amps. Yes I am currently using Sonar 5.2 but I will be upgrading to X1 as soon as I get my computer, hopefully sometime this summer. I will check out the focusrite stuff. I have read that USB2 and FW have higher latency than PCI(e) cards. Do you have any experience in this area?
It depends on your system. if you have a good fast multicore CPU then USB2 and FW have just as low latency as PCI. the Fast Track Ultra series has the fastest drivers in the price range even considering PCI. I have, however, noticed on MY system that the MOTU unit I'm using will tend to need higher buffers than my old Delta 44 did for the same size projects. but I do not have one of the FTUs. If I were still in the market for a soundcard, I'd be looking at the FTU8R.
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AT
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/18 15:59:03
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Mario,
as Beagle says, there ain't much difference between kinds of interfaces these days - it is all in how well implemented the drivers are. A few years ago PCI had the advantage, since the drivers were more mature but also because it did take a little more CPU overhead to run FW/USB. Computers are much faster, so that is invisible these days.
PCI/PCIe will be obsolete before USB, so if you are talking long term I'd go w/ USB. I've had no problems w/ firewire. So whether it is FW or PCI(e) slots, you most likely will be able to get the newer cards to fit into the next generation slot.
@
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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MarioD
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/18 16:14:24
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Thanx Guitarhacker, AT and Beagle. This is exactly the kind of information I need!
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Guitarpima
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/18 21:11:07
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I can run 24/44.1 at 1.1ms with 48 samples and be very stable. 24/96 at 1.1ms 96 samples and again, very stable.
Notation, the original DAW. Everything else is just rote. We are who we are and no more than another. Humans, you people are crazy. Win 7 x64 X2 Intel DX58SO, Intel i7 920 2.66ghz 12gb DDR3 ASUS ATI EAH5750 650w PSU 4x WD HDs 320gb DVD, DVD RW Eleven Rack, KRK Rokit 8s and 10s sub
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avinwalls
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/06/22 13:35:23
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There are advantages to upgrading to a dedicated sound card. As well as achieving superior sound quality, a dedicated soundcard can increase your computer eentire presentation because it deals individually among sound, therefore saving system resources.
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MarioD
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/10 11:29:30
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First I would like to thank all of you for helping me with my sound card choice. All of your responses were greatly appreciated.
I have narrowed it down to a couple of choices that are within my current price range and I would like to ask which way would you choose.
One = get the Roland Octa-capture and keep on using Sonar 5.2 producer until I can save up and get X1 producer. I’m assuming that 5.2 will run with 64 bit Win 7.
Two = Get X1 producer and the Tascam 1800. This is the choice I’m leaning toward.
I would appreciate any thoughts that you may have.
Thanx in advance for your time - MarioD
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kson
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/10 13:05:37
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I have the OC and can say that it is great. The drivers are outstanding and the unit is very flexible with software that won't confuse the hell out of you. Although I haven't used the Tascam, the OC may be a wee bit more flexible in that the inputs are multi's, unlike the Tascam whose inputs seem to be XLR only on the front side. Read the forums on the Tascam's drivers and Win7 support. You may read an in-depth review on the OC here: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2746804-Roland-Octa-Capture-Interface-Now-with-Conclusions Good luck with your decision mate.
post edited by kson - 2011/07/10 13:06:44
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Old55
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/10 14:29:23
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MarioD
First I would like to thank all of you for helping me with my sound card choice. All of your responses were greatly appreciated.
I have narrowed it down to a couple of choices that are within my current price range and I would like to ask which way would you choose.
One = get the Roland Octa-capture and keep on using Sonar 5.2 producer until I can save up and get X1 producer. I’m assuming that 5.2 will run with 64 bit Win 7.
Two = Get X1 producer and the Tascam 1800. This is the choice I’m leaning toward.
I would appreciate any thoughts that you may have.
Thanx in advance for your time - MarioD
You might want to verify that 5.2 will run on Win 7-64 before you make that kind of change. I was under the impression that they didn't really do 64 bit until 6 or 7. I can't look right now, but if find anything else I'll let you know. Good luckl
Should auld acquaintance be forgot--hey, who the hell are you guys? X2(X3 pending hardware upgrade), Emulator X2, E-mu 1212M, Virtual String Machine
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MarioD
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/10 15:18:50
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Thanx kson for the quick response. I know the Tascam will run in 64 bit Win 7 and that it is not a flexible as the OC. My biggest obstacle right now is $$$$.
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MarioD
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/10 15:26:35
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Thanx Old55. The manual says Sonar 5 will run 64 bit XP but I can’t find any info on if it will run on 64 bit win 7. I’m still looking though.
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kson
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/10 17:27:55
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Zuma
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/10 18:01:03
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For me personally, it's an easy choice between the two you've settled on. I would go with the Roland hands down.
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Guitarpima
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/10 22:03:47
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I don't see why Sonar 5.2 would not run on Win 7 64bit. Even if it will only be a 32 bit program, it should still run.
Notation, the original DAW. Everything else is just rote. We are who we are and no more than another. Humans, you people are crazy. Win 7 x64 X2 Intel DX58SO, Intel i7 920 2.66ghz 12gb DDR3 ASUS ATI EAH5750 650w PSU 4x WD HDs 320gb DVD, DVD RW Eleven Rack, KRK Rokit 8s and 10s sub
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Zuma
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/11 00:59:57
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S5 PE is 64bit... that was one of the reasons I chose it over C4...?
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Lanceindastudio
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/11 01:07:54
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If good low latency performance (using softsynths with a midi keyboard needs low latency performance) is important to you, and even if it isnt, I would consider it for the future, be careful what USB interface you get if you fo that route.
I know Jim Roseberry (highly regarded DAW PC buiilder) has recommended the m-audio fast track ultra, which is the best priced USB interface with low latency performance.
If I were to buy a USB interface I would either get that or look into RME stuff-
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
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Lanceindastudio
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/11 01:15:46
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Good to hear the Roland unit is performing well at low latency. That looks like a nice unit, and honestly, I like Roland better than M-audio for sure- that is just my personal opinion though. The fast track ultra does indeed do well.
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
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MarioD
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/11 09:40:40
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Lanciendastudio, bringing up the softsynth issue is a good one, thanx. I do use a lot of softsynths with keyboard, guitar and wind controllers so latency is extremely important. I was assuming that the Tascam also had good ASIO drivers. It sounds like I should go with the Roland.
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Old55
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Re:Soundcard Advice
2011/07/11 12:22:14
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Guitarpima
I don't see why Sonar 5.2 would not run on Win 7 64bit. Even if it will only be a 32 bit program, it should still run.
I don't know what the differences are, but I have Wavelab elements that's probably more recent than 5.2. It runs on XP-64 but not Win 7-64. I had to spring for the new version to run in Win 7-64. I still have a few other things to try before I can claim that I have all of the functionality that I used to have in XP. Whatever you do, dual-boot your PC so you can go back when you need it. I even installed Win 7-64 on a separate drive to make sure that XP is intact when I need it. Granted--THAT may be overkill, but I feel more confident with that set up.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot--hey, who the hell are you guys? X2(X3 pending hardware upgrade), Emulator X2, E-mu 1212M, Virtual String Machine
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