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.

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Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox I've never had a problem with FLs tech support till this day. (I've actually never used it till this day)

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Originally posted by floyd741 i think echosystm is a pretty cool guy. eh pwns robby rox and doesn't afraid of anything.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Originally posted by eye_03 the reason why i dont do it is because i see people like you at clubs doped out of your mind. i say "shit, i dont wanna turn out like that scumbag"

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) ?

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Storyteller Website | Storyteller @ Facebook | Storyteller @ Beatport | Storyteller @ Soundcloud | Stephen J. Kroos - Europa (Storyteller Remix)
Anthony Mea - Get It On (Storyteller Remix)

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If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

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.

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox I've never had a problem with FLs tech support till this day. (I've actually never used it till this day)

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Originally posted by floyd741 i think echosystm is a pretty cool guy. eh pwns robby rox and doesn't afraid of anything.

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?

Last edited by Nicolas Oliver on Nov-28-2007 at 02:35

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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

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quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox I've never had a problem with FLs tech support till this day. (I've actually never used it till this day)

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Originally posted by floyd741 i think echosystm is a pretty cool guy. eh pwns robby rox and doesn't afraid of anything.

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

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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

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Storyteller Website | Storyteller @ Facebook | Storyteller @ Beatport | Storyteller @ Soundcloud | Stephen J. Kroos - Europa (Storyteller Remix)
Anthony Mea - Get It On (Storyteller Remix)

quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier