i don't think theres a 'general' problem with usb regarding soundcards, i'm using the presonus firebox (firewire) and love it, definately the best value for your money in terms of professional recording. if you don't have a firewire port (i didn't) you can go to your local computer store and for like 20-30 bucks you can get a pci card that has 4 slots on it)

i must admit i had problems connecting my midi controller with usb, and just opted for the standard midi (it wasn't connecting properly and would cut out, may of been the cable, but didn't bother checking)but i dont want to rag on usb. I'm not a huge fan of m-audio cards though, so that may be a factor, other then the 2496 card, i'm not to impressed.

does pci card connects through usb ? do they work on laptops ? can you show me an image of an example of wut i need. and ya im hopefully getting the presonus firebox, they look reliable and i heared good things about them.

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A DJ without vinyl is like a Doctor without his stethoscope

Im using a laptop that only has one pcmcia slot and no firewire but i think ill get a firewire pcmcia card and the presonus firebox. Plently of I/O for djing and producing and its from presonus who seem serious about making quality products.

We're talking about a laptop right? coz I think few folks above missed the point.

Anywho... yes, you can buy FW PCMCIA card and connect any firewire recording interface. I use Motu 828 MK2, connected through PCMCIA Firewire - when I need to record external audio.

edit: Keep in mind that many Firewire interfaces are bus-powered. This means that you have to get the card with the "big" - aka "6 pin" connector. 4 pin connector does not provide bus power, so, so you'll have to use external powers supply to power your device.

Oh, and another thing - if you have a bus powered interface, you'll definitely want to keep your laptop plugged in. Otherwise your battery will be drained in about 30 minutes (being fully charged).
----end of edit----

If you don't need optical interface (most peole don't.. and if you don't know - the answer is: you don't need it)- get MOTU UltraLite - IS UNBELIEVABLE. And it is not that expensive. Converters, stability, (and resale value) make it a much better buy than Firebox, better than Focusrite (never fit in laptop bag) or other M-Audio or E-MU crap.

Now, E-Mu makes a 1616m - I tested it and did not like it. Even though it has great A/D converters, the overall setup and system instability made it unattractive. My system kept crashing, software could not be uninstalled without hardware being connected, all kinds of issues - stay away from 1616m - it's very buggy.

If you plan to do software only, with some limited external recording capability and no direct MIDI - for about $50 SoundBlaster Audigy ZS. It even supports ASIO. I was using it on my laptop for stuff like Live and Reason and some Cubase Editing - IT FRIGGIN ROCKED! Besides, ASIO support for $50???? hewlll yaaw!

enjoy

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quote:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

--Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)

Last edited by emc^2 on Mar-23-2006 at 17:41

quote:

Originally posted by DJ 00 Tommy Im using a laptop that only has one pcmcia slot and no firewire but i think ill get a firewire pcmcia card and the presonus firebox. Plently of I/O for djing and producing and its from presonus who seem serious about making quality products.

hate to be negative, but after the nightmare that was "Firestation" and other crappy products that never worked right - I am never buying presonus stuff again. I know I should not have been the pioneer of hardware but back then, I must have spent 4 days on the phone with support, exchanged 3 units - and did not manage to get the friggin thing to stay up for more than 1 hour without crashing.

Thanks, but my sanity is worth spending few extra bucks to get a quality product. I switched to RME and MOTU and never looked back... but from a price standpoint - it's ok. Now, if you don't mind spending extra $50 - I'd get Motu UltraLite.

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quote:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

--Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)

hmm MOTU, ya for sure ill look up to that one. so i see now. can i get a cheap pc card with the firewire ports to connect to the interface, or quality of it also does matter ? and im only gona need one firewire port am i right

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A DJ without vinyl is like a Doctor without his stethoscope

Last edited by x_moe on Mar-23-2006 at 20:11

PCMCIA is far superior to firewire, but you pay for it.

Simple.

Yes, USB is shit house.

Thanks for the insite mce its always good to hear as many stories as possible. I guess i will still go for the presonus because it is already pushing my budget since my bidget is quite tight already. I might look into the other brands again but motu was way out of my range. Especialy being in Aus everything cost more.

I think your poll is a little bias without USB in it.

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my released tunes

huh?

how can that be?!?
The guy specifically asked what is a better option other than usb

I wouldn't include answers I don't need in my poll either, it would be biased if I did just that!

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quote:

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

quote:

Originally posted by messytechie I think your poll is a little bias without USB in it.

the thread was about me hating USB, what do u think im gona let ppl vote for it so i can buy it again.

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A DJ without vinyl is like a Doctor without his stethoscope