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Help me with the purchase

Hey there

Please advice which type of soundcard should I choose?

Check the links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...2641_em_1p_0_ti

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...2641_em_1p_9_ti

Thanks a lot!

The Behringer Xenyx 802 is a mixer, not a soundcard.

it can be used for soundcard purposes as well

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab it can be used for soundcard purposes as well

How so?

I think you mean the USB version which is more expensive (but just as shit).

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN How so? I think you mean the USB version which is more expensive (but just as shit).

Read it somewhere, might be wrong.

So what do you think Lexicon Alpha Studio USB Audio Interface?

My budget is 50 GBP

Or this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-U...#productDetails

I owned a cheap Lexicon soundcard (Lambda IIRC?) a few years ago for one of my laptops (PC). It was a step up from the one you're considering in terms of features and ins/outs, but the same basic specs otherwise, I believe. It was nothing to write home about, but it got the job done for portable use and was pretty stable.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik I owned a cheap Lexicon soundcard (Lambda IIRC?) a few years ago for one of my laptops (PC). It was a step up from the one you're considering in terms of features and ins/outs, but the same basic specs otherwise, I believe. It was nothing to write home about, but it got the job done for portable use and was pretty stable.

Thank you for your reply. So basically with the Lexicon I gave in the link, will I be able to use Yamaha HS5s, a midi keyboard and headphones? Thats all I need for now.

Yamaha monitors and headphones will be fine, but you can't connect a MIDI keyboard to the Lexicon. Which keyboard do you have? Does it have a USB connection?

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Yamaha monitors and headphones will be fine, but you can't connect a MIDI keyboard to the Lexicon. Which keyboard do you have? Does it have a USB connection?

I don't have any yet, but I want to end up with something portable, like a 2-octave M-audio keyboard. Can't I buy a USB adapter to make it compatible with Lexicon's USB slot?

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab I don't have any yet, but I want to end up with something portable, like a 2-octave M-audio keyboard. Can't I buy a USB adapter to make it compatible with Lexicon's USB slot?

No, the Lexicon's USB port is to send audio to/from your computer. Not to worry, though. When you buy an M-Audio MIDI controller, it will have its own USB port that you'll connect directly to your computer. It doesn't connect to your soundcard.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik No, the Lexicon's USB port is to send audio to/from your computer. Not to worry, though. When you buy an M-Audio MIDI controller, it will have its own USB port that you'll connect directly to your computer. It doesn't connect to your soundcard.

What about the latency? I guess it's gonna be huge

Latency depends on the efficiency of your soundcard drivers and your CPU performance.

You'll be able to adjust for latency within the control panel of your soundcard. Lower latency = higher CPU use and vice versa. The more complicated your project becomes (plugins use CPU) the more CPU is used and it may get to the point where you need to increase the sample buffer size (latency) in order to keep your CPU use down. Worry about this when it happens though.

Would you buy this one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-U...#productDetails

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab Would you buy this one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-U...#productDetails

I actually bought that one to hook up a radio studio to a cheap recording computer. For that price the quality is sufficient and a small step up from any generic on-board soundcard. I'm not sure how it performs in a live-environment where latency is an issue. I only used it to record the radio-shows so latency was a non-issue.

If only you could save up a bit more you'd get more for your money's worth. Somewhere around 100-120$ would be perfect to buy the ESI Maya 44 USB+ (for example) which would be better qualitywise and will probably last you longer too. I had a soundcard like that for 5/6 years and loved every bit of it, they perform well on latency too, I'm not sure the Behringer would do the same to be fair.

I am using a laptop and to be honest I wanted something outbound, powered via USB.
Ok please check the following links and advise:

1) http://www.amazon.co.uk/E-MU-0204-4...words=soundcard

2) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-U...87718437&sr=1-6

3) (very hopeful) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tascam-US-1...87718437&sr=1-4

4) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tascam-US10...7718437&sr=1-21

Thanks again!

soundcards for less then 200-300USD is a waste of money. ive tried MANY of them and they all suck. im left with Steinberg UR22 now which is half decent.

Is it really necessary for you to buy an audio interface right now?
Else I would save up and buy a decent interface.
Maybe even look at a second hand Apogee Duet or Echo Audiofire.

quote:

Originally posted by farris Is it really necessary for you to buy an audio interface right now? Else I would save up and buy a decent interface. Maybe even look at a second hand Apogee Duet or Echo Audiofire.

I cannot save up really because apart from it I am also paying for studies.

Isn't there at least ONE decent soundcard I mentioned in my list?

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab I cannot save up really because apart from it I am also paying for studies. Isn't there at least ONE decent soundcard I mentioned in my list?

I feel inclined to say yes, but the answer really is no. Tascam is a good brand but hasn't been spectacular since ever when it comes to their soundcards. E-mu is now a brand owned by creative, its software drivers have been putting people off for years and RANN even saw one catch fire. Behringer is really just a budget brand that is very affordable and probably not that bad, but they just don't have things going for amongst the EDM-minded people I talk to.

Try and have a look at Thomann.de instead of amazon.co.uk. Their offering is broad and extensive and they also deliver in UK. This is the USB-soundcard I was mentioning earlier. It is rather old technology but I hope it fits in your price range. The quality (compared to its price) is great. http://www.thomann.de/nl/esi_maya_44_usb.htm

GREAT is an exaggeration. the ESI device is OK, better than many, still only OK. in these ipod and laptop days everything half decent is a huge upgrade so therefore people think what used to be a mediocre DAC is today suddenly fucking awesome. weird how progression of technology has lowered our general perception of quality. even speakers from the 70s was in many ways better than today - atleast in terms of efficiency and bang for buck - yes they were uneven and "untrue" but atleast they made the party work. these 3" drivers of 4 in towers today is just ridiculous.

edit: as farris sayd: if you have a free firewire port then Echo Audiofire 4 is the only decent low priced soundcard i know, except Apogee Duet thingy but as far as i know they are mac only? Then theres RME Fireface UC but thats maybe 500-600 i think.

do you even read the advices people give you? or do you just want to make threads for the fun of it?

Fuck it. Even though you're a big mouthed little prick, I'll still help, just to show you that you could have googled this in a heartbeat.

Go to Digital Village (DV247) and get the Tascam us 122. That's the least shitty interface you can get under 100 quid. It's USB, has mic pres and midi.

Beyond that, StoryTeller and Farris have the right advice.

You're welcome.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN Fuck it. Even though you're a big mouthed little prick, I'll still help, just to show you that you could have googled this in a heartbeat. Go to Digital Village (DV247) and get the Tascam us 122. That's the least shitty interface you can get under 100 quid. It's USB, has mic pres and midi. Beyond that, StoryTeller and Farris have the right advice. You're welcome.

It is as shitty an interface as probably your music.

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