what is the best mid/high-end class audio/music creation audio sound card?
- by Chris
Hello,
I have a computershop myself, and I repair computers. But one of the things I really don't know (yet) is the performace od audio cards for music creation with midi.
I have searched and searched and came up with some good reviews, but after browsing for a couple of hours I could't see the trees trough the forrest :-D (it's a dutch expression)
At one moment I thought the M-Audio - Delta 1010LT would be a good PCIe card, later on I read that this card was released years ago. (but that could be false information)
Also any personal expierence would be great, but not necessairy.
I have searched a few cards, and I hope someone can help me make a choice for a friend of mine. He's buget is between $100 and $350
I know there are audio cards from $ 500 - $1850,- this is just too expensive.
The following specs are crucial:
ASIO Midi
Mic in
minimal 5.1, 7.1 recommended
it's not for airplay, but just to compose music at home. using Ableton and midi keyboard.
1. M-Audio - Delta 1010LT:
8 x 8 analog I/O
2 mic preamps or line inputs
S/PDIF digital I/O (coaxial) with 2-channel PCM
SCMS copy protection control
digital I/O supports surround-encoded AC-3 and DTS pass-through
1 x 1 MIDI I/O
directly drive up to 7.1 surround (bass management software included)
software controlled 36-bit internal DSP digital mixing/routing
+4dbu/-10dBV operation individually switched in software
word clock I/O for sample accurate device synchronization
2. RME HDSP 9632:
* Stereo Analog Ein- und Ausgang, symmetrisch*, 24-Bit/192kHz, > 110 dB SNR
* Optionale Erweiterungsboards mit je 4 symmetrischen Ein- und Ausgängen
* Alle analogen I/Os voll 192 kHz-fähig, also keine Reduzierung der Kanalzahl
* 1 x ADAT Digital In/Out, 96 kHz-fähig (S/MUX)
* 1 x SPDIF Digital In/Out, 192 kHz-fähig
* 1 x Breakout Kabel für koaxialen SPDIF-Betrieb*
* Also bis zu 16 Ein-und Ausgänge gleichzeitig nutzbar!
* 1 x Stereo Kopfhörerausgang, parallel zum analogen Ausgang, aber eigene Pegelanpassung
* 1 x MIDI I/O für 16 Kanäle Hi-Speed MIDI über Breakout Kabel
* DIGICheck, RMEs einzigartiges Meter- und Analysetool mit Spectral Analyser, Professionelle Level Meter 2/8/16-Kanalig, Vector Audio Scope und diversen weiteren Analysefunktionen
* HDSP Meter Bridge: Frei skalierbare Levelmeter mit Peak- und RMS Berechnung in Hardware
* TotalMix: 512-Kanal Mischer mit 40 Bit interner Auflösung
3. EMU 1212M (1212 M) PCIe:
* Top kwaliteit convertors 24-bit/192kHz convertors.
* Hardware gestuurde effecten.
* DSP zero-latency hardware mixen en monitoring.
* Analoge en digitale I/O plus MIDI.
* EMU Production Tools Software Bundle - Cakewalk SONAR , Steinberg Cubase LE, Ableton Live E-MU Edition
**EMU 1212M PCI-e inputs/outputs:**
* 2 balanced jack inputs.
* 2 balanced jack outputs.
* 24-bit/192kHz ADAT I/O.
* 24-bit/192kHz Coaxiale S/PDif I/O switchable to AES/EBU.
* MIDI I/O.
4. M-Audio Audiophile 192:
- Up to 24-bit/192kHz audio
- 2 balanced analog inputs (1/4” TRS)
- 2 balanced analog outputs (1/4” TRS)
- S/PDIF digital I/O (coaxial RCA connectors) with 2-channel PCM
- SCMS copy protection control
- Digital I/O supports surround-encoded AC-3 and DTS pass-through
- Direct hardware input monitoring via separate balanced 1/4” TRS monitor outputs
- Software routing of inputs and outputs
- Digital I/O can be routed to/from external effects
- 16-channel MIDI I/O
- ASIO, WDM, GSIF 2 and Core Audio driver support for compatibility with most applications
- 64-bit driver support for Windows
- PCI 2.2 compatibility
- Apple G5 compatible - Incompatible exceptions
- Includes Ableton Live Lite music production software, so you can make music right away
- Works with other Delta cards
Technical Specifcations:
- Compatibility
- ASIO
- WDM
- GSIF 2
- Core Audio
