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The Mother of all SOUNDCARDS thread
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Kane
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
23
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1772
Posted : Jun 9, 2009 22:25
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Internal or external? What type of connection? Budget?
  You believe in the users?
Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me? |
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Becktrank
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
38
Posts :
537
Posted : Jun 10, 2009 01:00
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well, as it will be my first and im in the beggining is best to be a budget, but this dont mean that has to be junk.
external i use a laptop.
and think this is firewire right, looks like the same i have on my lap
http://public.online.ksu.edu/support/kyc/images/laptop/firewire.jpg
basically is just for sound quality, i only use a midi keyboard as hardware. But i want to be able to record a dj set on my cdj200 with good quality.
what should i buy first, the monitors or the soundcard? I will have the money the end of this week and i really need monitors cause right know i m using a ipod speaker lol but i dont know it it will be worth without soundcard
``We shall not cease from exploration - And the end of all our exploring - Will be to arrive where we started - And know the place for the first time.``
bahia |
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Kane
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
23
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1772
Posted : Jun 10, 2009 21:10
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Get some decent monitors first..it might be kind of noisy with a headphone out, but after a decent computer I think that should be the next step for anyone. Then I'd suggest a PreSonus Audio Box (for USB, and only if you DO NOT have Vista) or an Echo AudioFire2 (for firewire) as the cheapest decent interfaces.
(imo)
You believe in the users?
Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me? |
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dtsus
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
3
Posted : Jun 12, 2009 07:26
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I bought Echo Indigo IO, I hope I made a good choice. I read many good points about it, specially latency, the only negative point i think is inputs/output, but its okay for a while. Next will be Firebox Presonus. |
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Kane
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
23
Posts :
1772
Posted : Jun 14, 2009 01:53
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Should have just waited to buy the Firebox imo..
You believe in the users?
Yeah, sure. If I don't have a user, then who wrote me? |
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dtsus
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
3
Posted : Jun 14, 2009 03:32
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I would like to do that but its shipping is expensive so this was another reason why I chose a pcmcia card. But thanks anyway. |
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like_tripin
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
122
Posted : Jul 21, 2009 17:12
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Focusrite Saffire PRO 40 somebody already worked with this card?
weEjoOnz |
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Psy_Clone
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
30
Posts :
398
Posted : Jul 30, 2009 14:07
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Maybe someone knows Audio Kontrol 1 from NI soundcard?
is it good? im thinking of buying it.
And if its not so good any other suggestions in this budget would be good.
Thanx....
Now say the magic words: Bleep Bleep Deep Deep Wham..... |
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Freeflow
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
60
Posts :
3709
Posted : Jul 31, 2009 02:25
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Psy_Clone
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
30
Posts :
398
Posted : Jul 31, 2009 13:01
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Thanx Freeflow i'll read this reviews see what other people say about this one.
Other then that any other suggestion for a same price sound card?
Now say the magic words: Bleep Bleep Deep Deep Wham..... |
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grahf
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
107
Posted : Aug 4, 2009 06:43
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I'm a bit new to all this, so bear with me. I've kinda answered my own question, but maybe others can benefit from my research. I've read through this whole thread and learned a lot about the best soundcards for studio work; but as far as soundcards made for DJing are concerned, I'm still a bit uncertain what is best.
Here's my setup and plans: I'm looking for an external audio interface for my current powerbook and potential future macbook. Simple digital DJing is first on the menu, but I'd like something flexible enough for studio work and recording if I'm so inclined.
Requirements:
#1: USB or Firewire, doesn't matter too much. PC-Cards are not really an option as the old powerbooks and new macbooks have different pc-card interfaces.
#2: At least 4 outputs. I want to be able to mix at least 2 stereo channels externally, plus headphone cueing.
#3: Mic input and MIDI connection would be nice for future expandability, but I don't consider it absolutely necessary.
I used to have a M-Audio Firewire Audiophile, which did pretty much everything I wanted to; however M-Audio's firewire devices apparently don't support hot-plugging, which was rather lame. This annoyed me so I hotplugged it anyway... and it fried the thing after a few years. So I am rather hesitant to go with another m-audio firewire box. Do other manufacturer's firewire devices have this limitation?
Another consideration: all of the studio oriented sound cards I've seen have balanced audio, but I don't own any balanced gear and it seems to me that most DJ mixers etc have unbalanced inputs, not balanced. So it seems I need a soundcard with unbalanced outputs. There's no easy way to convert balanced to unbalanced or vice versa, right? Sadly this disqualifies many soundcards I've seen that look great otherwise, like the Presonus Firebox. Am I understanding this balanced vs unbalanced problem correctly?
After doing a bit of research, I haven't found many possibilities for 4x unbalanced output: I'm mainly looking at the Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ or the Hercules Deejay Trim. There is also the M-audio Fast Track Pro but I've heard their drivers are a little inflexible. The Audio 8 is a little more $$$ than I was planning on spending, but it looks awesome. |
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Becktrank
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
38
Posts :
537
Posted : Aug 4, 2009 19:02
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i may be wrong but you dont need to convert your soundcard outputs to unbalanced if they are balanced....even if ur gear and cables are unbalanced
``We shall not cease from exploration - And the end of all our exploring - Will be to arrive where we started - And know the place for the first time.``
bahia |
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grahf
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
107
Posted : Aug 5, 2009 06:46
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I should have researched a bit more before sounding off about unbalanced vs balanced - after reading a bit, my understanding is that connecting the two will just cause the balanced grounding to be ignored - so it becomes unbalanced. And it seems that the better audio interfaces will detect an unbalanced connection anyway.
All I really want to do is mix ambient on 4 digital decks. The only real choices I've found for 8x output, without breaking the bank, seem to be the NI Audio 8, the Edirol FA101, or the Focusrite Saffire (not LE). Unless there's an option I've missed, I think I'll get the Saffire. |
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Braindrop
Braindrop
Started Topics :
140
Posts :
1730
Posted : Aug 5, 2009 06:58
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Quote:
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On 2009-03-17 23:28, Braindrop wrote:
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On 2009-03-17 15:39, Kane wrote:
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On 2009-03-17 14:52, Braindrop wrote:
I'm looking at a new soundcard. Issue is du to budget problems i mite have not many options.
I'm looking at a USB one.... From the options that i have i cld choose from a M-Audio fast track pro or Presonus Audio Box. Any1 here tried both? Wat do u think among those is more suitable for playing live as well using for the Studio?
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I recommend an Edirol UA25(EX) if you're gonna go with USB. Not many features, but the SQ is much better than either of those imo.
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If i manage to make a lil more money... then i think i cld go in for the Presonus Fire Box. Anybody know how much tht costs?
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$300 USD, and it is probably the best interface you can get for the price. A Focusrite Saffire LE would be nice too..exactly the same I/O and price as the Firebox. It's hard to compare their sound..they're almost identical to my ears.
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@ Kane. Thanks for the info. I know i cld go for the edirol. But where i'm at it isnt available. So these r the 2 options tht i have. Well 3 infact....
Anyways thnx for tip  . Have a great day!
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Is there any other usb soundcard where i could get multiple rca outputs? The Edirol 25 sure looks good, but it doesnt have multiple rca outputs like the Fast Track pro... any others anybody could suggest?
www.braindrop.in |
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grahf
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
107
Posted : Aug 5, 2009 08:43
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Is there any other usb soundcard where i could get multiple rca outputs?
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Having just spent several days researching this, see my above longwinded post. The Native Instruments Audio 4 and Audio 8, as well as the Hercules Deejay Trim, are USB interfaces with 4+ RCA (unbalanced) outputs. The NI boxes seem well tested as they are made for Traktor, and the Hercules one just came out a month or two ago and I don't know much about it. I suspect any of those would have better build and sound quality than the Fast Track Pro. |
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