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Soundcard/audio interface under £200
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| Hobson |
Hi guys,
I'm looking to upgrade my creative soundblaster audigy 2 zs and buy a new sound card/audio interface for my windows desktop PC. I will be using it mainly for music production using Cubase SX3, but also for recording directly from turntables using phono connectors or from a mixer using a phono to 1/4" jack. I can use USB 1.1, 2.0, PCI, PCI-E or Firewire cards, and don't mind whether they are internal or external. Are there any you could recommend for under £200?
I'm currently considering the lexicon ionix u22, novation nio 24, m-audio fast track pro and m-audio audiophile 192.
Thanks,
Phil |
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| Tarpex |
Get E-MU 0404 USB, absolutely best value for money in that price range, it's converters are only one step behind 800€+ interfaces, 2 analogue inputs which accept anything with a metal on one side (multiport, awesome), a master out and the 1/8" extra output, it's a great feature. And the best thing; All controls are on the card itself, no more messing around with any buggy software to change parameters.
I've got one and love it to death. |
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| Sonic_c |
I have the Emu 0404 pci and i think its really good. The midi never chokes or skips and the latency is super low too well it seems that way on mine. I dont know if usb has as good latency and to my knowledge they have same i/o
I have
Midi i/o
i/o optical
1/4 jack i/o
and digital coaxle too
is it same on usb? |
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| Sonic_c |
| quote: | Originally posted by Tarpex
All controls are on the card itself, no more messing around with any buggy software to change parameters.
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yeah i have had some trouble with my software i.e sometimes booting up and getting no audio for no reason and having to do a system restore to get it back. Maybe usb is best |
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| Tarpex |
Yeah, it has all ins&outs that you'd ever need, perhaps even too many (haven't found a use for the second multiport yet :D)
As far as latency goes, it's hassle free at about 20ms. Pci can of course go much lower, but I can definitely live with that :) |
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| palm |
| I do not recommend Echo Audiofire 2 beacuse it has no power button and while its plugged into your computer its not possible to turn it off beacuse of firewire power. And if ur using a macbook, the firewire power is on as long as the computer has power plugged in lol. it doesnt even help to turn off the computer you will have to unplug it all. I switched from Echo Audiofire 2 to 4 and im much more happy now, its a little up in price though. |
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