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Any recommendations for USB soundcards?

I wanted to get a particular soundcard for my laptop but it is firewire and my laptop does not have firewire. SO what do you guys recommend for a usb soundcard, something I can travel with, only working in the box, so no recording of instruments and nothing over $1000. I would like something with good coverters, something like Apogee Duet, unfortunately its only for mac and with a firewire port.

From what I've heard, the MAYA44 USB sound card is one of the best options at roughly $100. I don't have it (plan to buy one soon though) so I can't say much about quality, but it's been recommended to me. It's nothing fancy, just 4 in/4 out with a separate headphone in.

Why don't you get a firewire adapter for your laptop?

PCMCIA or express card to firewire - they cost nothing and can let you have the option of firewire devices as well.

If you really want ot stay usb then look at the motu ultralite. Only about $550 and probably one of the best USB devices in that price range, especially for a portable interface.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN Why don't you get a firewire adapter for your laptop? PCMCIA or express card to firewire - they cost nothing and can let you have the option of firewire devices as well. If you really want ot stay usb then look at the motu ultralite. Only about $550 and probably one of the best USB devices in that price range, especially for a portable interface.

Thanks RANN, Ill give the MOTU ultralite a look at. Definitely heard only good things about Mark of the Unicorn.

Re: Any recommendations for USB soundcards?

quote:

Originally posted by Ravist and nothing over $1000.

Oh wow, never mind what I said. I misread that as $100 the first time.

id take a look at RME Fireface UC.
Havent tried it myself but it might be my next card if my current blows up.

Guys the guy works only ITB, so he needs only 2 things
- Great ASIO Driver
- Great Headphone pre-amp

I would say cakewalk UA-1G Audio Interface

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN Why don't you get a firewire adapter for your laptop? PCMCIA or express card to firewire - they cost nothing and can let you have the option of firewire devices as well. If you really want ot stay usb then look at the motu ultralite. Only about $550 and probably one of the best USB devices in that price range, especially for a portable interface.

what about something like this?

http://www.g-technology.com/products/g-drive.cfm

Im thinking of purchasing this as well because it has a Oxford 934 chipset. Can I connect the firewire audio interface to this and then connect the device to my computer?

quote:

Originally posted by Ravist what about something like this? http://www.g-technology.com/products/g-drive.cfm Im thinking of purchasing this as well because it has a Oxford 934 chipset. Can I connect the firewire audio interface to this and then connect the device to my computer?

No - you'd need to get a pcmcia or express card to give you a FW interface then plug the audio interface in to that.

It's not a good idea to daisy chain your interface through your drive and as far as I'm aware you can't plug this drive in via usb then use the FW to daisy chain from - I'm afraid it's one (USB) or the other (FW) - (not that you can daisy chain USB though).

Also to respond to Raphie, just because you're in the box doesn't mean you don't need at least good output conversion. Yes, the ultralite is to some degree overkill because he will not use the full I/O but you still need to consider good converters for the outputs to your monitors. He also stated he got up to $1000 which means he's talking about at least mid to high end units which the cakewalk interface you suggested is neither.

The RME digiface is very good but that unit is over 10 years old now and I would go for the MOTU in the long run all things considered.

The converters on the cakewalk are actually quite good.
I've got quite some DAC devices in my studio and when using the cakewalk on the road I've seldom got surprises once back in my studio

This means compared to my Steinberg MR816, Mackie D.4-Pro, Benchmark DAC1 USB HDR.

When you pay more, you pay for better pre-amps and more I/O
but dragging a 1/2 size 19" frame with it's own power around is not really portable either. I would suggest horses for courses.

Avoiding the dreaded onboard soundcard, while still remain portable i would suggest passive USB.
ONLY when severe multitracking FW is compelling, you don't need FW bandwidth (as opposed to USB2) for ITB DAW use.

BUT: you are right that if this is going to be the ONLY device and you want most versatility go with 1 of the above interfaces, though this increased flexibillity will also bring less portabillity.

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