Fast Track Ultra can be picked up used for 100 to 200 depending on where you look, you can even get one new... 24/96 just like you want... It also has spdif - rca style. They are fine units for what you are doing, they may even be a touch of overkill.

USB connection from my computer to the DAC in my headphone amp. Sonar recognizes the driver for it. I think it's called "Generic USB Audio Out" (or something like that)

This sounds to me like the weak link in the chain. Get yourself a pro quality soundcard like an M-Audio or MOTU that have drivers meant for this kind of work. I don't really know much about this Headroom Desktop amp, but you're the first I've seen in this forum using one. 

daveny5

USB connection from my computer to the DAC in my headphone amp. Sonar recognizes the driver for it. I think it's called "Generic USB Audio Out" (or something like that)

This sounds to me like the weak link in the chain. Get yourself a pro quality soundcard like an M-Audio or MOTU that have drivers meant for this kind of work. I don't really know much about this Headroom Desktop amp, but you're the first I've seen in this forum using one. 

It's the heart and soul of my audio system. The Headroom Desktop amp goes for $849, and you can get it from here:  http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/headroom-desktop-amp.php. I'm an "audiofile", so I don't bother with inferior sound from headphone jacks in audio interfaces that you buy at Guitar Center or Sweetwater. To compliment the Desktop amp, I use Sennheiser 850s. 

Out of curiosity: do you mix with headphones? 

DONT get anything thats M-Audio. They cant write drivers for Toffee.

sharke


Out of curiosity: do you mix with headphones? 

Yes I do. It's not ideal. I've taken my CDs to other places to hear them on various systems. Bass is my main blind spot with my current setup. Having a good speaker system setup would be the remedy for that.

markyzno


DONT get anything thats M-Audio. They cant write drivers for Toffee.

M experience has been quite the opposite. I've worked w/ m-audio interfaces for over 12 years now (Delta and Fast Track, on PC and on Mac). In 12 years, I've had to roll back drivers ONCE for the Delta, in late 2004 I think. 


Just saying...

mleghorn

sharke


Out of curiosity: do you mix with headphones? 

Yes I do. It's not ideal. I've taken my CDs to other places to hear them on various systems. Bass is my main blind spot with my current setup. Having a good speaker system setup would be the remedy for that.

I have the same problem, in that I live in an apartment building in which I have to think of neighbors (loud music is one thing, quite another to have the same 4 bars on loop for 10 minutes at a time!). I do try and check mixes on speakers as often as possible, during the day if I have time. But it's quite possible to mix on headphones once you get to know them. I just wondered also if it's necessary to have audiophile listening requirements for doing mixes, particularly if they're going to end up being played on sub-audiophile equipment. I have a pair of Grado SR80's coming straight out of my M-Audio Fast Track and they're great, although I always have to make allowances for bass because they're relatively light in that area. Have you tried the Redline Monitor plugin for mixing on headphones? It's not a miracle worker, but I do find that it helps tremendously. My 60 day trial just ran out and I'm seriously considering buying it:  http://www.112db.com/redline/monitor/

+ 1 for Redline Monitor if you have to work w/ headphones. I use it all the time.

I've also heard great things about TB Isone.

http://www.toneboosters.com/tb-isone/

I am so jealous!

Ever since I got my Delta 1010 I have had nothing but issues with the drivers....(Win 7 64 bit)

Now I cant work in anything other than 44.1 no matter what driver I use (no way I am going to re-install windows either).. Also I have that nasty M-Audio problem of random audio stopping and having to kill the windows audio service and restart it.

Also, it says on the site its a 64 bit driver but when you look at what processes are running you can clearly see that its running in 32bit.

I regret the day I ever got the blasted thing.

Rain

markyzno


DONT get anything thats M-Audio. They cant write drivers for Toffee.

M experience has been quite the opposite. I've worked w/ m-audio interfaces for over 12 years now (Delta and Fast Track, on PC and on Mac). In 12 years, I've had to roll back drivers ONCE for the Delta, in late 2004 I think. 


Just saying...