I think the answer depends on how much you use midi and other VSTs, etc. If you like your VSTs and/or need midi, I wouldn't go with the digi... pro tools is a pain to work with for midi, but it is great for audio. The other problem with the digi is that for the pc platform, there are no ASIO drivers, so you're pretty much stuck with using pro tools as your sequencer (no cubase etc.)

From what i've heard, the delta is a good card. You should also check out some of echo's stuff, and rme hammerfall as well.

Post some more information (midi???, your hardware, etc.) so we can help you more.

95% midi studio, 5% vocals :P ...so your saying that i cant use cubase or logic audio for midi sequencing if its on the pc platform? ima have 5 or 6 synths hooked up along w/ 3 or 4 sound modules...i was plannin on sequencing w/ cubase or l.a. and recording vocal trks and mastering with the pro tools software. i dont have the multi processor setup yet, just wondering if it was worth buying...i also liked the fact that the sessions are transferable to regular pro tools rigs...in case a remix was called for, i could give em a session and they could edit in a pro-pro tools setup

what kind of info do you need other than im usin a pc and id like to use cubase (not necessarily any vst-plugins, but probably yes)...i know that the pro tools le software comes w/ a few choice plugins, i dont think they're vst though. and i know they're not tdm based either...so, what are they then???

help!

eLLtd|leXi

They are RTAS plugins, which means that they aren't real TDM plugins. RTAS plugins work on TDM systems, but TDM plugins dont work on LE systems. RTAS plugins use up your cpu, as opposed to TDM plugins that use up your dsp. And TDM plugins are muuuuuuuuuuuuuuch more expensive (and better I would assume).

I know what you're saying about why you want pro tools... I'm trying to decide on a card as well and the same thing has crossed my mind.

I don't think you could use your digi with cubase or la... Technically you could, but only if you can put up with a second of midi delay (latency) each time you hit a key or play something back.

The alternative would be to get a mac and use the digi.

Another thing that could possibly work is using two soundcards... your digi for all your audio work, and a really cheap (around $100) sound card with low latency for your midi work with LA or cubase. And LA supposedly integrates well with pro tools so you'd be all set.

Or, you could just stay away from pro tools altogether... I'm not sure how much of a benefit it would be... I don't think that too many electronic artists use it anyways. And you can definately get pro quality from cubase or LA.

do i even need a recording interface, or do i just need a midi interface? hmmm...

did you ever check out the creamware cards ?

they are really good with very flexible routing , and so on .

www.creamware.com

Alright people. I've got the M-Audio delta 44 (with midisport 2x2 midi interface). I'll tell you right now, the delta series works nicely with winxp, on my pentium 4 at least. Also, you can definately hear the difference in recorded sound quality when comparing the delta to a normal sound card. it also supports 96/24 recording, which makes sure you get the best and cleanest sounding audio. S/N ratio is very good, it doesnt pick up much background noise at all because it has an external breakout box to plug everything into. I get about -85 dB S/N ratio, which is very good in my opinion (alot of mixers pick up more than that even). As for recording on PC? I use Calkwalk Sonar XL, works very very nicely and smoothly. I can record from my synth directly into an assigned midi track in the program. Sonar 2 xl is also out, if you want to check that out. As I always warn people, be sure you have a crazy computer that can handel recording. I had to upgrade from a p2 400mhz, 128 ram to a p4 1.7ghz, 1024 ram, cause I couldnt record properly on my old one. Even on my new cpu, it starts getting alittle laggy when having 30+ tracks full of audio and midi data (especially with 24/96 audio).
Hope this helps

Get a good solid audio card to take care of audio I/O of you system. Aad for midi buy a steinberg midex 3 or 8. It features this new protocol that will give you the smallest latency/delay in midi timing (btw you have to use cubase to use this feature)

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Kuroi
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promo track: Mirco de Govia - Voller Sterne (Kuroi Remix)

quote:

Originally posted by lexiconavenue do i even need a recording interface, or do i just need a midi interface? hmmm...

No, the midi interface isn't for recording hardware synths. If you use soft synths that would be fine though.

midi interface is for using a keyboard with soft synths, and for using a computer as a sequencer for hardware synths. recording interface is to actually record the sounds onto your computer. basically, you are best off with both.

check out this site...answered ALL my questions, and then some...excellent for all you seasoned producers and newbies like myself

http://www.tweakheadz.com/
http://www.tweakheadz.com/how_to_ge..._with_midi.html

this dood really knows his shit...and has some excellent reviews of gear too...

kudos
leXi