Audio Interfaces (some comments)
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 1:49 pm
A quick collection of comments regarding mobile soundcards collected from the famous Ms Pinky's Sho 'Nuf Forum
Maya44 USB
I second that motion - I just got the Maya 44 usb as well and I have no complaints. Works like a charm.
easy guys, just to let you know i picked up a maya 44 usb a few days i go, and ive just set it up this morning, with minium of fuss and its working fine on both 1210s, so thumbs up for anyone tempted by it whos on a small budget. I will let you know if i come into any problems in the long run
i am using the mayausb 44 with pinky for some months
Motu 828
I have a venerable MOTU 828 (not MkII) that has travelled all over the world, been dropped a couple of times (knobs on the front are broken), and has generally been used hard. It's never let me down. The sound quality certainly isn't as good as the RME, for example, but all in a very robust unit (the OSX drivers are very solid too, btw).
RME RPM (oem version of this one is used by digiscratch)
RME makes some great audio units, just be sure you realize that the RPM does not come with a PCI or PCMCIA interface card, those need to be purchased seperately and cost a bit o' green on there own.
i think that this sound card is "THE" sound card for MsPinky, as it contains everything you need (phone amp, two stero i/o and a mic pre for mcs..)in one quality pack.
i'm waiting for this unit for ages now, but when i get it (a week or so) i'll tell you all about it.
EDIROL FA-101
Ive also spotted the new edirol fa-101 which looks very tasty but is much more expensive than the 410
The Edirol FA-101 does a direct through supposedly as well, but chances are it's not even shipping yet....if that piece can do what it says it can though, it's definately a bang for the buck.
Presonus Firestation
The Presonus Firestation does a direct through, ie, doubles as a line mixer, but it blows as a Pinky interface, literally...I spent 3 weeks battling it and finally just pawned it off.
M-Audio Firewire
Trying to pick up an audio interface after problems with the infamous quattro, ive noticed the maudio 410 firewire being recommended my only question with this being - its 2 analog line inputs, the other 2 being sseprate Mic Neutriks XLR/ 1/4?h - isnt this a problem?
The M-Audio 410 FireWire can record on only two analog inputs at a time-- but it can also simultaneously record on the digital inputs (SPDIF). I put it up as a recommendation because it seems that quite a few new turntables are coming out now with digital (SPDIF) output. So with the 410 FW you could use one analog deck, and another deck with digital output. In fact, that's what I'm showing in those pictures on the "Required Physical Setup" page because the Stanton str8-100 deck has the digital outs.
Unfortunately, if you don't have a deck with digital outs, then the 410 FW will only allow you to record on two analog inputs, which means you would only be able to use one turntable... probably not what you were hoping ;-(
M-Audio Quatro
I'm shopping around for a USB card. I was wondering what the problems are with M-Audio Quatro?
Basically, it's just notoriously flakey. Would recommend you stay away from it. It's actually got pretty good sound quality- when it's working. But it has a tendency to bring down the system at the most inopportune moments...
A much better low-cost alternative is the Maya 44 USB.
M-Audio omnistudio usb
has anybody tried the m-audio omnistudio usb with the ms pinky system? It's around $350, and I was just wondering if its worth the money.
Although I haven't tested it myself, it looks great to me, Gabe. The 4-in/4-out capabilities are just what is called for if you want to do a typical 2-turntable setup with MsPinky. And hopefully M-Audio has been able to make this USB device a lot more reliable than the Quattro.
You'll still need to get phono preamps to use with this, by the way.
Lets keep this list keeps growing
Achim
Maya44 USB
I second that motion - I just got the Maya 44 usb as well and I have no complaints. Works like a charm.
easy guys, just to let you know i picked up a maya 44 usb a few days i go, and ive just set it up this morning, with minium of fuss and its working fine on both 1210s, so thumbs up for anyone tempted by it whos on a small budget. I will let you know if i come into any problems in the long run
i am using the mayausb 44 with pinky for some months
Motu 828
I have a venerable MOTU 828 (not MkII) that has travelled all over the world, been dropped a couple of times (knobs on the front are broken), and has generally been used hard. It's never let me down. The sound quality certainly isn't as good as the RME, for example, but all in a very robust unit (the OSX drivers are very solid too, btw).
RME RPM (oem version of this one is used by digiscratch)
RME makes some great audio units, just be sure you realize that the RPM does not come with a PCI or PCMCIA interface card, those need to be purchased seperately and cost a bit o' green on there own.
i think that this sound card is "THE" sound card for MsPinky, as it contains everything you need (phone amp, two stero i/o and a mic pre for mcs..)in one quality pack.
i'm waiting for this unit for ages now, but when i get it (a week or so) i'll tell you all about it.
EDIROL FA-101
Ive also spotted the new edirol fa-101 which looks very tasty but is much more expensive than the 410
The Edirol FA-101 does a direct through supposedly as well, but chances are it's not even shipping yet....if that piece can do what it says it can though, it's definately a bang for the buck.
Presonus Firestation
The Presonus Firestation does a direct through, ie, doubles as a line mixer, but it blows as a Pinky interface, literally...I spent 3 weeks battling it and finally just pawned it off.
M-Audio Firewire
Trying to pick up an audio interface after problems with the infamous quattro, ive noticed the maudio 410 firewire being recommended my only question with this being - its 2 analog line inputs, the other 2 being sseprate Mic Neutriks XLR/ 1/4?h - isnt this a problem?
The M-Audio 410 FireWire can record on only two analog inputs at a time-- but it can also simultaneously record on the digital inputs (SPDIF). I put it up as a recommendation because it seems that quite a few new turntables are coming out now with digital (SPDIF) output. So with the 410 FW you could use one analog deck, and another deck with digital output. In fact, that's what I'm showing in those pictures on the "Required Physical Setup" page because the Stanton str8-100 deck has the digital outs.
Unfortunately, if you don't have a deck with digital outs, then the 410 FW will only allow you to record on two analog inputs, which means you would only be able to use one turntable... probably not what you were hoping ;-(
M-Audio Quatro
I'm shopping around for a USB card. I was wondering what the problems are with M-Audio Quatro?
Basically, it's just notoriously flakey. Would recommend you stay away from it. It's actually got pretty good sound quality- when it's working. But it has a tendency to bring down the system at the most inopportune moments...
A much better low-cost alternative is the Maya 44 USB.
M-Audio omnistudio usb
has anybody tried the m-audio omnistudio usb with the ms pinky system? It's around $350, and I was just wondering if its worth the money.
Although I haven't tested it myself, it looks great to me, Gabe. The 4-in/4-out capabilities are just what is called for if you want to do a typical 2-turntable setup with MsPinky. And hopefully M-Audio has been able to make this USB device a lot more reliable than the Quattro.
You'll still need to get phono preamps to use with this, by the way.
Lets keep this list keeps growing
Achim
