Sound card selection

[rrew]

Hello all,

I am upgrading from my old Terratec 6fire 24/96 and am hunting for recommendations. I am looking at the M-Audio Delta 1010lt and 610, but am also interested in the Focusrite Pro 24. Any thoughts on internal vs. external? Firewire vs. usb? I am running XP, so the 610 issues don't worry me. Any other suggestions?

[Mike Daniell]

I use and like the Roland Edirol UA-101. This is a USB device which has 10 balanced outputs, and I have run this satisfactorily with Windows XP and Vista.

Regarding internal vs external, an internal device (ie a device requiring a PCI card) will tie you down to using a desktop computer, whereas a USB or Firewire device can easily be connected to either a desktop or a laptop. (NB some desktops, especially older desktops, do not have a Firewire port.) Personally I prefer USB over Firewire, but that may just be due to problems I had when testing a Firewire device. I found the small Firewire plug easily lost contact in my laptop's Firewire socket, whereas the larger USB plug and socket have always given me a good connection.

Finally, although the M-Audio ProFire 610 may give you WDM access to all output channels under Windows XP, just remember that if your XP machine dies you may end up having to buy a new machine with Windows 7 installed.

[rrew]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, the Edirol is outside my budget.

I agree with you about the small Firewire connector on laptops. I build my own machines and I have a dedicated SCS desktop, which has the larger Firewire port. I am quite happy with XP and plan to use it until it is no longer supported by SCS. As I think about it more, the Delta 1010lt is unbalanced outs, so now I am leaning towards the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24, but I am still open to recommendations, including USB devices.

Comments or suggestions, anyone?

I also want to say that I have now used SCS for 8 shows, including a corporate event that included 14 video cues, converted powerpoint slides, and audio, and it has been rock solid. I always run a backup machine, but have never needed it. Thanks for such a great product and support.

rrew

[jmgordon]

It's always worth checking to see if there are any known compatability problems between your installed FireWire device and the sound card you are contemplating.
For your suggested Focusrite product, for example, see here.
Sorry if you've already thought of that.

Malcolm

[rrew]

Thanks for the heads up on the Firewire chip. I did check and I do have the proper one for the Focusrite.

I would be just as happy with a USB device, but I'm irritated that all the USB stuff appears to cost significantly more than the Firewire.

Still open to suggestions.

rrew

[Eric Snodgrass]

For almost two years I've been running SCS with an M-Audio Delta 1010LT on a cheap, off-the-shelf Compaq desktop using Vista Home Basic and have had no problems at all. The unbalanced outputs have not been a hinderance at all.

[jkowtko]

I've also got a couple of PCI-based M-Audio Deltas at the local theater where I help out, but I personally have a FastTrack Pro. I would guess that the PCI-based units are a bit more reliable since you don't have a cord to be yanked, and all of the communications circuitry comes with the product. However the external units are portable and can be used on different machines -- including laptops. So, even with a rack mount interface, going forward I would probably go with USB or Firewire units.

So, you don't want to fork out 500 bucks for the UA-101. Moving down the scale, the M-Audio FastTrack Ultra is cheaper, and if you can live with 2 TRS outs the FastTrack Pro can be found for $150 or less used. Also the Presonus Firebox with 6 TRS outs can be found used for around $150 as well.