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Posted by ptbena on Feb-01-2008 06:48:

Soundcard decision.

Hi guys, im new to the forum! I know there are already threads about this subject but i've read them all and I need your opinion. Actually, I need an audio interface/soundcard and I need to choose between these 3:

-MOTU Ultralite
-Presonus Firebox
-Echo Audiofire 4

I use a PC with Ableton Live 7 and FL Studio 7 and sometimes I use Logic Pro 8 in a mac. I was told MOTU is more "Mac oriented" but despite of this I was told the Ultralite works very well on PC, thing is i've had good and bad comments about lots of soundcards but im in between these 3. I dont know much about this hardware stuff since is the first soundcard im going to buy.
I dont have external gear... I'll probably buy a Virus TI in the future but I'll connect it USB so theres no problem with that. I would like to hear the experience of people who has this soundcards so they can tell me how they work on PC (Im also interested in how they work in Mac, but mostly PC).

Thanks in advance.

Posted by echosystm on Feb-01-2008 07:21:

motu ultralite costs alot more than the audiofire... ?!

if you need the i/o of an ultralite, get an ultralite. otherwise get the audiofire.

simple.

Posted by 3F05Q on Feb-01-2008 07:32:

quote:
Originally posted by echosystm
motu ultralite costs alot more than the audiofire... ?!

if you need the i/o of an ultralite, get an ultralite. otherwise get the audiofire.

simple.

+2nd.

and by simple he means it's simple to set up too. I've heard wonderful things about their technical support as well.

Posted by pwnage1 on Feb-01-2008 07:49:

And another vote for the audiofire.

Posted by Eldritch on Feb-01-2008 08:34:

audiofire

Posted by flutlicht junky on Feb-01-2008 12:13:

+ for the Audiofire4.

If you see my previous threads I decided on an Echo product ages ago but only just got round to purchasing.

Love the quality metal box too

Posted by RichieV on Feb-01-2008 13:02:

why are you wasting so much money on breakout boxes when you said you don't need any inputs ?

Spend the money where you are going to use it.

Posted by johno27 on Feb-01-2008 13:54:

I've got an RME fireface unit on PC, no complaints and amazing sound quality. On the Mac I use a Motu 24i/o and 2408 and those are also stellar in terms of sound quality reliability. I wouldn't recommend the 24i/o unless you're planning on lots of outboard gear though and need the ins/outs.

Posted by flutlicht junky on Feb-01-2008 14:02:

quote:
Originally posted by RichieV
why are you wasting so much money on breakout boxes when you said you don't need any inputs ?

Spend the money where you are going to use it.

Maybe he doesn't need many inputs but good quality outputs are going to be needed to feed to headphones / monitors. So perhaps get the audiofire 2? It's �99 here in the UK with stereo I/O and midi

Posted by ptbena on Feb-01-2008 14:59:

I know I dont have lots of external gear, but I was checking out the MOTU since I've heard very good things about the quality of the converters and the quality of the soundcard, the only thing that makes me doubt is that MOTU is more "mac oriented" and I dont know how it'll work on a PC. I dont care paying more for outputs im not going to use (or maybe ill do sometime in the future) I want to know which of those 3 works best and has the best quality.

Thanks again.

Posted by RichieV on Feb-01-2008 15:05:

i bet every sound card save for m audio is geared towards "mac" so i wouldn't worry too much about that.

Posted by Lucidity on Feb-01-2008 15:13:

I know its not in your list, but, the Focusrite Saffire is what I use and the converters sound awesome in it. Plus if you ever use a mic, the preamps are from their more expensive range of preamps. If I get a new card or interface though, I think next I wanna try an RME, I have always heard good things about them.

Posted by johno27 on Feb-01-2008 15:15:

I've used my motu 24i/o on the pc without any problems.

Posted by echosystm on Feb-02-2008 00:11:

in terms of converters...

the AK4620A in AudioFire 2/4 is the same converter as what is in RME Fireface 400. these are obviously very good quality.

according to my research, most motu cards (ultralite, traveller etc.) use AK5385A. these are marginally better than AK4620A. we are talking about a 1db SNR gain. like i said, unless you need the i/o of the motu, there is really no point as quality differences are basically zero.

the cirrus logic chip in the AudioFire 12/8 is the same as what is used in the Apogee Ensemble. i believe these are better than any of the motu line, except for HD, which i think use the best converters on the market atm.

ps. converters aren't all that matter btw. opamps and clock count too.

Posted by RichieV on Feb-02-2008 11:24:

you c an get a rme hdsp 9632 for pretty cheap on ebay.

i get 2 ms latency , has midi, you can add expansion boards if you ever decide you need more A/D D/A

Posted by LIGGY on Feb-04-2008 21:40:

Im usin a Motu 2408 mk3 which is cool