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Need some advice on a (firewire) soundcard

Hey guys.

I'll be picking up some equipment this Christmas to start producing (house, electro, maybe some trance and techno) including the M-Audio Axiom 61 key MIDI keyboard and the Audio-Technica ATH-M40FS headphones. I have a new laptop (2gb ram, firewire support, etc) that will be running Windows XP (I intend to use Ableton6 and Reason4). I need some advice on a soundcard. I think I want to go with a firewire card b/c I've heard they're better than USB cards in terms of transfer speed and latency (I think?). I have about $250.00 total to drop on a soundcard and, so, can somebody PLEASE recommend a few options from which I could choose? I don't plan on doing any live recording (e.g. using a mic to record vocals); I need something for use with my headphones and MIDI keyboard. I've heard that the soundcard is a very important part of one's setup and just having gotten into this stuff I'm a complete newb and would appreciate some suggestions. Thank you kindly.

I strongly recommend you reconsider the M-Audio Axiom, they seem to have a lot of quality control problems.

Anyway, Echo AudioFire 4 and Presonus Fireboxes are the best two. AudioFire 4's have better ADC/DAC, but they are both still very good.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm I strongly recommend you reconsider the M-Audio Axiom, they seem to have a lot of quality control problems. Anyway, Echo AudioFire 4 and Presonus Fireboxes are the best two. AudioFire 4's have better ADC/DAC, but they are both still very good.

Would you be able to suggest another MIDI keyboard that retails for around $300.00 that is a better choice?

Thank you for your help.

quote:

Originally posted by cenik Would you be able to suggest another MIDI keyboard that retails for around $300.00 that is a better choice? Thank you for your help.

Novation Remote SL

And definately go with an Echo AudioFire interface.

You guys are awesome; I sincerely appreciate the advice. Thank you so much.

I gotta say, iv had an axiom61 for some time now and I don't have any problems.
I must be lucky.

quote:

Originally posted by palm you should realy check out Echo Audiofire soundcards, those supports both 1394 and 1394b (firewire 800mb/s). and rock solid, awesome dacs. choose between 2,4,8,12 inputs/outputs: http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireWire/ igot the 12 myself and its the best product i ever got, the drivers are awesome.

I have an audioFire 12 too, its probably the best piece of hardware i've ever had.

Wow, seems like a good one. Definately gonna take this 12 channel one in consideration for my new soundcard. Does anyone have any clue if it lives up te RME or Motu in terms of sound quality (AD/DA etc) in the same price range (E600-E800) ?

the SNR is probably similar (Echos are around 115db or so), but the actual quality of the ADC/DAC will not be as good. I think the difference would be marginal though, to be honest.

I've decided on the Novation Remote SL 61 key ($600.00); and I plan to pick up either the 4 or 8 input/output (probably the 4) Echo Audiofire interface.

Thanks for the help!

I might as well ask a further question: aside from the fact that Reason cannot use VSTs, why do some folks recommend producing with Ableton Live 6 over Reason?

quote:

Originally posted by cenik aside from the fact that Reason cannot use VSTis, why do some folks recommend producing with Ableton Live 6 over Reason?

because ableton live 6 can use VSTs

lols

And it's workflow. It's a platform in which you can produce tracks in a minimal ammount of time.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm the SNR is probably similar (Echos are around 115db or so), but the actual quality of the ADC/DAC will not be as good. I think the difference would be marginal though, to be honest.

Thank you very much, this will probably become my new card hehe, I'd love a good card with some analog ins & outs! The more the merrier, and in the earlier given price range... 600-800 Euro

supppose noone has any experience with the lexicon lambda?

quote:

Originally posted by Sinnica Hax supppose noone has any experience with the lexicon lambda?

no experience personally. heard more than enough horror stories though.

quote:

Originally posted by Sinnica Hax supppose noone has any experience with the lexicon lambda?

I have a lexicon Omega...
I have a piece of shit


DON'T DO IT!

quote:

Originally posted by T-Soma I have a lexicon Omega... I have a piece of shit DON'T DO IT!

and there you have it lols

hey cenik. i hope you didnt buy the novation remote yet.
you are best off getting the maudio ozone or ozonic.
its a midi controller with a built in audio interface so its a one piece solution for your producting needs... PERFECT for a laptop producer..

the rule i have is less is more
less equipment you own is more convenient
less hassle is more productive

"Less is more" is usually true in terms of producing something.

When it comes to all in one solutions, they are often craptastic.

Remember, you only get what you have paid for...

quote:

Originally posted by Indavic hey cenik. i hope you didnt buy the novation remote yet. you are best off getting the maudio ozone or ozonic.

sorry man, the ad/da is absolute shite on these. novation remotes also are the best midi controllers on the market, due to automap & the parameter readout.

I've searched the board and all I found about Alesis io|14 was that someone asked is it ok but no answers. So is there something obviously wrong with that device? The reason for asking is the ridiculously cheap price 180�. Echo Audiofire 4 and Presonus Firebox cost over a hundred euros more and Tascam Fireone 70�. I know it isn't a big saving when looking the big picture, but it would give me more to spend on monitors at this time.

And yes, this is my first post here but believe me I'm not promoting for Alesis. I've been reading the board for half a year and just have kept my mouth shut.

I did some research on the Alesis and two things that seemed to come up a lot where.

1. Strangely high CPU usage when running the device.
2. Dodgy drivers.

quote:

Originally posted by strathos I've searched the board and all I found about Alesis io|14 was that someone asked is it ok but no answers. So is there something obviously wrong with that device? The reason for asking is the ridiculously cheap price 180�. Echo Audiofire 4 and Presonus Firebox cost over a hundred euros more and Tascam Fireone 70�. I know it isn't a big saving when looking the big picture, but it would give me more to spend on monitors at this time. And yes, this is my first post here but believe me I'm not promoting for Alesis. I've been reading the board for half a year and just have kept my mouth shut.

I think it isn't worth taking the risk. Learn from my mistakes; always do what is tried and tested.

Much appreciated guys, thanks for the warnings.

I will go for the AudioFire4 I think, so hard to choose

EDIT: sod that, i think ive decided to pick the M-Audio 410

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm sorry man, the ad/da is absolute shite on these. novation remotes also are the best midi controllers on the market, due to automap & the parameter readout.

yeah but cenik doesnt plan on doing any recording.
he is prolly using all vsts and software to render and produce his tracks.
And hell be using headphones as monitors.

SO, the only thing he needs is....
a midi keyboard with some assignable knobs and faders.
and ANY ol' soundcard that destroys the latency.

i still stand by the Ozone/Ozonic as the best option for him.

quote:

Originally posted by T-Soma I did some research on the Alesis and two things that seemed to come up a lot where. 1. Strangely high CPU usage when running the device. 2. Dodgy drivers.

hey where did you read that?
just wondering where you get your sources as I am looking to buy one myself
cheers!
matt s

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