M-Audio Omni Studio vs. Echo Layla24

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-- M-Audio Omni Studio vs. Echo Layla24

Posted by NeoPhono on Jan-23-2004 12:27:

M-Audio Omni Studio vs. Echo Layla24

Okay guys, it's come down to these two cards. Which one do you think will be the best for me? Right now I'm running Cubase SX 2.0 with softsynths, and a midi controller through USB. I'm planning on getting a JP-8080, Juno 106 and a Waldorf MicrowaveXT in the near future. I already have a pair of Event 20/20 bas studio monitors and good headphones.

As far as the Omni Studio, the breakout box looks wonderful as far as ease of use and connection. With two headphone jacks (each with volume knobs) and a monitor jack (with a volume knob), it looks like a very convenient way to monitor I/O. With the Layla, you get more inputs, outboard DSP and higher quality output options, but lose the ease of use you get with the Omni Studio.

Ultimately what I care about is sound quality though. I don't mind spending all day trying to get things setup, but in the end I want the best sound quality I can get.

Posted by trancenrg69 on Jan-23-2004 14:33:

Today is your lucky day. Forget the layla and the omni, save yourself money and get a soundcard thats much better. The reason its only 500 dollars is because e-mu is funded by creative labs, and they want to control the market. I think they will with this. there is even a 200 dollar version without the ins& outs perfrct for vsti based systems.This is the deal of the year. no competition. Pro tools converters.

http://www.emu.com/products/product...aincategory=754

Posted by NeoPhono on Jan-23-2004 21:13:

Wow, that does look very nice. I just watched the demo video at Harmony Central, and it looks great. Guess I'll wait until February and pick up one of those. I think the selling point was the high quality A/D converter, not to mention the DSP effects. Thanks for telling me about it.

Posted by bassinyoface8 on Jan-24-2004 20:28:

Hey get the Omni Studio, I got it on ebay for $250!!!!
It works great plus you can't go wrong with the support and quality of the Delta 66 souncard and the M-Audio sound. No one needs all the inputs unless ur a big multitracker

Posted by trancenrg69 on Jan-24-2004 23:24:

Are you people dillusional. Dont get am omni, buddy, listen to me, get the emu card. I returned my echo mia yesterday, and asked the guy to order it for me. he knew that was the reason i returned my mia.

Posted by NeoPhono on Jan-25-2004 00:57:

Well, I think the big reason I'm going to go with the e-mu is the A/D converter. It's a very professional converter for only $500 bucks. You also get outboard DSPs, so you don't have to worry about interference from your computer. It also has just as many inputs and outputs as the omni studio, and then some. Not to mention the mic inputs are higher quality than the omni studio's. It also has a nice feature in that for every two 1/4 inch outputs it has a stereo 1/8 inch plug so you can use multimedia speakers to monitor your output. I currently use a pair of Event 20/20s, but also my multimedia speakers for mixing/mastering, and this makes that a lot more efficient. I also think that the DSP effects sound pretty good as well.

It is a little nerve-racking considering it's brand new and nobody has really had a chance to put it through it's paces. The low price tag also has me a little anxious, as it seems a little too good to be true. I guess I'll find out soon enough.