M audio's good for keyboards, but go with an echo, focusrite or similar for soundcard maybe... M audio just have a bad rep from what I've heard. There was something about this in a thread a couple of weeks ago from memory, have a search. I think the consensus was that the firewire cards aren't up to scratch.

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quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips I think the consensus was that the M-Audio's firewire cards aren't up to scratch.

you mean the m-audio ones yeah?

go an echo, i got an echo audiofire 2 (echo's smallest, cheapest model ) brilliant piece of equipment

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had the echo audiofire 2 myself but blowed it away by detaching the firewirecable while in use. be carefull. also its abit small/light so the cables kinda drags it down from the table lol. id go for echo audiofire 4 next time.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips M audio's good for keyboards, but go with an echo, focusrite or similar for soundcard maybe... M audio just have a bad rep from what I've heard. There was something about this in a thread a couple of weeks ago from memory, have a search. I think the consensus was that the firewire cards aren't up to scratch.

Partly.... I use M-Audio's Firewire 410. It's GREAT.
Wasn't always great though... The big problem came when I built a new 64 bit computer and hit up Vista64. M-Audio hadn't made drivers, so I was completely bereft of an audio interface for nearly 8 months.

I think most their 64 bit drivers have hit the public beta now, though. So problem solved. I'd be wary of their support in the future. They seem interested in giving good support, but they're still playing catch-up. Who knows what'll happen next time there's a big change that they need to make drivers for.....

Previously, I'd have been in the camp espousing avoiding them. Now though, I'd put off the decision till the last minute, do the research, then decide. From the experience I've subsequently had in the last few months, they deserve at least the benefit of the doubt.

thanks guys, all this info is really useful. will have a search for that soundcard now.

been reading all the beginners files over and over again and its so confusing at first. But then again so was learning to mix....all part of the eperience I guess!!!

If it's external (which I hope it ends up being), it's more accurate to call it an audio interface.

quote:

Originally posted by EgosXII you mean the m-audio ones yeah? go an echo, i got an echo audiofire 2 (echo's smallest, cheapest model ) brilliant piece of equipment

Yep.
Palm, interesting to hear your problem with the Echo, hadn't heard of that problem before... Did they replace it for you or anything?

I think M audio might occasionally be ok, but I've just gotten the impression to steer clear. Might not apply to all their products, but I've used a couple and not been really impressed.

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nah its common knowledge to not remove firewirecables when in use, i did it by accident, it fell on the floor beacuse it was too light then the cable went out and BOOOMMM. dead. this has nothing to do with echo its a firewire issue and its a big warning on all firewire products about it. this is also why im starting to look for other solutions that firewire/usb. meanwhile echo audiofires are the best interfaces ive ever used. i had the 12 too which was awesome but sold it as i sold all my hardware and then didnt need all the inputs.

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Originally posted by palm nah its common knowledge to not remove firewirecables when in use, i did it by accident, it fell on the floor beacuse it was too light then the cable went out and BOOOMMM. dead. this has nothing to do with echo its a firewire issue and its a big warning on all firewire products about it. this is also why im starting to look for other solutions that firewire/usb. meanwhile echo audiofires are the best interfaces ive ever used. i had the 12 too which was awesome but sold it as i sold all my hardware and then didnt need all the inputs.

Never heard of that. You'd think they'd put a fuse in to prevent that problem I was thinking about getting an RME fireface, but if its gonna be susceptible to that sort of problem...

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quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips you won't use them after a month.

fixed.

seriously, I bought the xiosynth a while ago, and if you don't need it for its audio card capabilities ( and you shouldn't if you're willing to spend the amount you've stated), it's garbage. Making your own presets with its controls is an absolute bitch. only thing that can be said about the korg is that it's got a vocoder that would be fun to play with, but emphasis on the word play. its' keys are largely useless (tiny toy keys). my recommendation would be to buy a basic midi controller (m-audio's axiom series is great) and a quality audio interface (presonus firebox is a good bet).

sorry if people have posted stuff saying the exact same as me, basically just read a few posts.

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think I'm gonna get me an external USB soundcard and an M-Audio Aiom to get me on my merry way.

usb soundcard? i dont know of anyone good, what where u looking at?