Replacement Souncard for Delta 1010LT

[Richard200]

We are a small amateur theatre in the UK Northwest and currently run SCS on a desktop with WinXP and an M-Audio Delta 1010LT soundcard (mounted in the computer) running 4 x 2 channels outputted to four stereo amplifiers. This set-up is several years old and for various reasons (not least loss of one channel on the soundcard), we are looking to get a new computer running Windows 7 (or reluctantly, 8.1) with a new soundcard. The Delta 1010LT was excellent but is no longer manufactured. The advice always used to be that a PCI card gave best results. But most of the cards on offer now are external USB or Firewire cards, meaning they can be used with an ordinary (i.e. cheaper) laptop; presumably they keep cool enough when running.

Has anyone any experience of/advice for running a currently available external soundcard that we could replace the M-audio product with? I am reluctant to go down the road of using multiple soundcards, better to have a single card with sufficient channels.

And incidentally we have tried removing the soundcard and cleaning the dust off and re-installing it but no joy!.

[Eric Snodgrass]

Not a lot of companies are making internal sound cards anymore. Lower-end companies like Creative and Diamond still offer them, but most other companies have moved on to USB 2.0 interfaces. There are high-end companies like Lynx and RME that offer internal cards but they are expensive and most likely out of your budget range.
There are a lot of companies that make USB interfaces. The prices run the spectrum from very cheap to extremely expensive. Do an internet search to find the variety of interfaces available. Then find out your budget number.
As for your computer, you might want to consider a laptop as well as a desktop. They are easy enough to lock up and also can be taken home for programming if necessary.

FYI, there is absolutely no reason for you to fear Windows 8.1. I've been running SCS for 18 months on Win 8.1 with no problems whatsoever. It's just an OS.

[Mike Daniell]

There are a lot of companies that make USB interfaces. The prices run the spectrum from very cheap to extremely expensive. Do an internet search to find the variety of interfaces available. Then find out your budget number.
As for your computer, you might want to consider a laptop as well as a desktop. They are easy enough to lock up and also can be taken home for programming if necessary.

I endorse Eric's comments. Laptop computers have come a long way over the last few years and I much prefer them over desktop or tower computers, mainly because of portability. When looking for an external sound interface note that some interfaces require a firewire connection, which is usually not provided on Windows laptops. USB interfaces are very good, and if the budget is sufficient I recommend selecting an interface that has balanced outputs. I personally use a Roland Octa-Capture which is an excellent product. If the budget won't stretch that far then there are cheaper interfaces available. Have a look at the Supported Audio Devices topic, but I suggest you start from the end of this topic and work back as some of the earlier postings may refer to products now obsolete.

[Richard200]

Thanks for the advice Eric and Mike, that's very helpful. Yes it looks like a laptop and audio/midi interface, probably USB 2.0, is the way to go. I now realise that this combination seems to be so commmon now for music production/mixing that hopefully compatibility problems should be minimal. My aversion to Win8 is another topic altogether, for a different forum!