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Need help deciding on a usb 2.0 soundcard

I've recently got into producing and because this laptop only has shitty onboard sound, i need an external soundcard.. this specific laptop has issues with firewire speeds so that's a waste. What usb 2.0 external soundcards do you guys recommend or which should i steer clear of? I'm looking to not spend too much money, maybe $150 tops, but if there are no good soundcards for production use at that price, I guess i have no choice but to dish out some more $$$, any advice??

I have been using M-AUDIO AUDIOPHILE USB for about 1 year now, and it works grate for me. It costs about a 100 bucks more that your limit today, but i would say that its worth the money!

Read about it here:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_...leUSB-main.html

Best
C

i used to own an M-Audio Mobilepre USB, that one worked fine. and it's cheaper than the Audiophile USB mentioned by substorm ($179.95)

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_...reUSB-main.html

what kind of sequencers are you running along with what kind of vsti's.. and what kind of cpu usage do you get?... have you ever had any problems with too many vsti's or something?? atm i'm using fruity loops and massive, but since this is compatible with pro-tools, i'll probably use that as well, since i don't have any midi keyboards i can't use reason.. and i hear cubase is just a pain in the ass to use

quote:

Originally posted by TRNG what kind of sequencers are you running along with what kind of vsti's.. and what kind of cpu usage do you get?... have you ever had any problems with too many vsti's or something?? atm i'm using fruity loops and massive, but since this is compatible with pro-tools, i'll probably use that as well, since i don't have any midi keyboards i can't use reason.. and i hear cubase is just a pain in the ass to use

Well i have been working in Live for about 2 years now, and i never had any problems. I use vst�s like Z3ta+, v-station, pro-53 and vanguard and the cpu usage all depends on what vst�s, what cpu you have and how much ram memory you have. Then you can always config how much latency you wanna have and NEED to have.

And you dont need a midi keyboard to use reason, shure will makes things ALOT easier, but not a must to use it.

Yes, there is a limit on how many vst�s you can use at the same time, and how many you can use depends on what vst you use. Like the z3ta+ is a real cpu eater, while the v-station is more cpu friendly. But this also depends on how powerful you computer is.

Regarding Cubase, im not the right person to judge, but i have tried it once and never again after i had tried Live. My decision was easy, but this is also a matter of personal opinion. But if your happy with FL, i think you should stick to it, cus here arnt any major differences between the DAWS, just different work interfaces.

Cheers
C

avoid USB cards if you can

consider a pcmcia card, such as the audigy z2

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Shibby avoid USB cards if you can consider a pcmcia card, such as the audigy z2

Why? I mean, a USB card is better if you gonna use it on a Laptop, AND you use it on more then one computer.

And i wouldn�t recomend the Audigy Z2 is i were to recomend a internal soundcard, cus i dont think its avalible any loner on the market..

M-Audio fasttrack pro is a neat little usb interface. It is really nice, because you can plug your powered monitors straight into it, and have a hardware volume control for them. But it runs slightly higher your maximum price. Probably ebay can have them for $150.

I would try to avoid USB as well. It's just not the best interface for this kind of stuff. I'm not sure of US prices, but the echo indigo IO/DJ pcmcia cards are pretty cool.

Hmm, never had a single issue with using USB. I never ran multitrack recording though, but who does on here anyway.. I prefer USB over firewire because majority of laptop PCs have shitty 4-pin firewire connector, that does not provide supply power for the interface. USB however does power up your interface, plus the plug is so much sturdier. Ive asked dell, why don't they include those 6-pin sturdy firewire connectors on their laptops, and they said that no one needs them...
Now if your got MAC, thats another story.

Actually, I withdraw my previous statement. I just went and checked out zzounds for usb interfaces, and they have come a LONG way (a year ago they were shit, no doubt about it).

http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0404

These look very good, I might check them out myself :P

quote:

Originally posted by antronx Hmm, never had a single issue with using USB. I never ran multitrack recording though, but who does on here anyway.. I prefer USB over firewire because majority of laptop PCs have shitty 4-pin firewire connector, that does not provide supply power for the interface. USB however does power up your interface, plus the plug is so much sturdier. Ive asked dell, why don't they include those 6-pin sturdy firewire connectors on their laptops, and they said that no one needs them... Now if your got MAC, thats another story.

You need to keep in mind though... alot of laptops have the dirty power static/buzz problem, which is usually made worse by bus powering the interface.

Heres what i got: http://www.zzounds.com/item--DGDMX002R
and its FireWire. Superb sound qualtiy. Shitty stability with windows driver for use with winamp, etc. But in ASIO it rocks.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm I would try to avoid USB as well. It's just not the best interface for this kind of stuff. I'm not sure of US prices, but the echo indigo IO/DJ pcmcia cards are pretty cool.

Hmm.. well i guess thats a little "dated" opinion now days... And IF you where to use you soundcard on your workstation or any other stationary computer, you could have a problem using a PC card :P

i would like to thank everyone who has given me insight on what to buy, i think i will try and buy the audiophile, i found it on froogle for pretty cheap, thanks all!

guys wut about the m box?

quote:

Originally posted by Khayat guys wut about the m box?

the general consensus is "only if you HAVE (HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE HAVE MUST MUST MUST) to use protools"

For the price, you can do much better for general DAW usage.

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