zircon
02-15-2007, 04:30 AM
A simple question... or is it? Your sound card or audio interface is important if you are interested in music production & ReMixing. Here is a brief rundown - read carefully!! All prices are in US dollars. If the terms confuse you, scroll to the bottom of this post and you will see a glossary of terms. Each listing also links to a picture of the card or a product page so you can do further research.
PCI Cards (Desktop)
Emu 0404 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU8803) - $100 - This is a great all-around soundcard for anyone interested in music production. It has a low noise level, various analog & digital ins and outs (through "breakout cables" - see the pic) as well as a very powerful software mixing system. The drivers have been known to be a little unstable in some applications (eg. FLStudio) but overall, this card performs better than any consumer-level card and is highly flexible. The internal software also has built in DSP effects which will not affect your computer's processor, great if you do a lot of recording and want to add some EQ, compression, or reverb without burdening your cpu.
Emu 1212M (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1212M) - $150 - The next step up from the 0404, capable of running at higher sampling rates. Recording quality is slightly higher than the 0404.
EMU 161M (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1616MPCI) - $450 - The big daddy of EMU cards, this is a full fledged interface with fantastic sound quality. If you are really serious about recording, this is a great solution. However if you do most things "in the box" (eg. software only) this will be excessive.
M-Audio Audiophile 192 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAP192) - $180 - Comparable to the EMU 1212M in terms of features. My personal preference has been EMU products over M-Audio as the latter seems to use lower quality components than its competitors so it can mass-produce them. However, you should do your own research and read reviews to decide for yourself.
Echo Mia MIDI (http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHMIAMIDI) - $130 - Another competitor in the lower price range. Echo products are considered to be fairly high quality.
RME HDSP 9632 Hammerfall DSP 24/96 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--RMEHDSP9632) - $600 - OK, so this is getting into the *really* high end. However, Hammerfall makes the best of the best. If you have no idea what to do with your money and want a killer sound card that will offer the cleanest sound and most efficient drivers, this is your card...
PCMCIA Cards (Laptop)
Echo Indigo IO Stereo 24/96 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHINDIGOIO) - $200 - Not exactly cheap, but a good solution if you want an internal sound card for your laptop that will provide pro sound quality.
EMU 1616 Laptop (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1616) - $400 - Just like the 1616M, except... "portable". A high end solution, but worth considering if you don't want to compromise.
USB Interfaces
EMU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0404) - $200 - A slightly upgraded version of the PCI 0404 (in terms of converters) and physical control to boot. Good if you are a laptop user and like the EMU line.
EMU 0202 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0202) - $115 - This is a step down from the USB 0404. If you're not going to be recording much, no big deal. It will still perform better than your average laptop soundcard. If you plan on doing a lot of recording, however, and you want as clean a sound as possible, consider something in a slightly higher price range.
M-Audio Audiophile USB (http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAPUSB) - $160 - Just like with the PCI Audiophile, this is a competitor to the EMU line in terms of price range. Similar features, but check the reviews for both.
Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--NINAUDIOKONTROL) - $250 - Though normally residing in the market of software instruments, NI has produced a good audio interface. Good drivers, clean sound, sleek design, and comes with a nice bundle of NI software. If you're starting from a clean slate this might be a good idea.
Edirol UA25 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EDIUA25) - $240 - Touted as a very rugged and road-ready interface, if you plan on bringing around a laptop all over the place while recording, and don't want to settle for a cheaper interface, this may be what you want. Plus, Edirol is a good company!
Digidesign Mbox 2 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--DGDMB2) - $450 - This is a combo hardware/software product, as you get Pro Tools LE with it. Much like the other, more expensive options listed so far, this is not worth it if you are only looking to ReMix or produce music as a hobby. However, if you want the next step up in terms of low-noise, solid drivers, and powerful software, The Mbox/ProTools combo is attractive.
Firewire Interfaces
Presonus Firebox (http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSFIREBOX) - $300 - Ahh.. the Firebox. I've been using one of these for a few weeks now, and my roommate had the expanded version, the Firepod. They're very good in terms of sound quality and the drivers are ROCK solid. Reasonably priced too. My only complaint is the mixing software is a little weak... you can't do a lot of routing with it, as compared to EMU's products w/ Patchmix. Still, recommended.
Presonus Firepod (http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSFIREPOD) - $500 - If you plan on doing lots of recording from multiple sources, such as a whole band, multiple vocalists, multiple synths, etc... this is a very good choice. No need to spend hundreds of dollars more on an external mixer!
Presonus Inspire 1394 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSINSPIRE) - $200 - If the Firebox and Firepod are a little too big for you, the Inspire holds its own and since it's by the same company, you know the quality will be good. A good choice if budget is an issue but you need to go Firewire.
Behringer FCA202 F-Control (http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHFCA202) - $80 - Behringer isn't exactly known for their high quality audio products. However, if you absolutely can't spend much on an interface, this is what you want. It'll still be better than your average Realtek or Sigmatel audio card!
So... what card should I buy?
My personal recommendations are the EMU 0404 and Firebox. The former if budget is an issue - it's still an excellent card, and the latter if you want more power. If you're going to do a lot of recording, I can't help but recommend the Firepod. If you want some nice bundled software, the MBox 2 or Audio Kontrol 1 are both advisable, though the MBox is somewhat pricey.
In general, don't skimp. If your budget is $200, buy a card or interface that is $200. With audio gear, you generally get what you pay for. If you decide to upgrade later because you want to take music more seriously, or you want to do more recording, or whatever else, you can't get a hardware discount. Buy a $100 interface at first and you'll have to spend another $200-300 on top of that for your new, better one (maybe more). Start out with the more expensive interface and you'll have room to grow. Plus, the higher-end ones resell a lot more easily so if you DON'T like it, it won't be as hard to get rid of.
Glossary
XLR - A type of larger connection with three holes, typically used for plugging in mics. IMAGE (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Xlr-connectors.jpg/180px-Xlr-connectors.jpg)
TRS - A common audio connector used to connect all sorts of devices, from headphones, to guitars, and more. Typically 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch. IMAGE (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Photo-audiojacks.jpg/250px-Photo-audiojacks.jpg)
PCI - An internal connection type in desktop computers, used with long "cards" that attach directly to the motherboard. All desktop computers have at least a couple PCI ports, which can be used for a number of purposes, from network cards, to USB extensions, to sound cards, and more.
PCMCIA - A PCI-like interface for laptop computers. Again, many things can be installed using it including sound cards.
PCI-e - An improved form of PCI for desktops. This is mostly used for graphics cards currently.
ASIO - A software interface between an application and your sound card. Better ASIO drivers mean lower latency and less CPU usage. It is also more flexible than DirectSound, which is what most generic sound cards for Windows use.
Feel free to post here if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions.
PCI Cards (Desktop)
Emu 0404 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU8803) - $100 - This is a great all-around soundcard for anyone interested in music production. It has a low noise level, various analog & digital ins and outs (through "breakout cables" - see the pic) as well as a very powerful software mixing system. The drivers have been known to be a little unstable in some applications (eg. FLStudio) but overall, this card performs better than any consumer-level card and is highly flexible. The internal software also has built in DSP effects which will not affect your computer's processor, great if you do a lot of recording and want to add some EQ, compression, or reverb without burdening your cpu.
Emu 1212M (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1212M) - $150 - The next step up from the 0404, capable of running at higher sampling rates. Recording quality is slightly higher than the 0404.
EMU 161M (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1616MPCI) - $450 - The big daddy of EMU cards, this is a full fledged interface with fantastic sound quality. If you are really serious about recording, this is a great solution. However if you do most things "in the box" (eg. software only) this will be excessive.
M-Audio Audiophile 192 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAP192) - $180 - Comparable to the EMU 1212M in terms of features. My personal preference has been EMU products over M-Audio as the latter seems to use lower quality components than its competitors so it can mass-produce them. However, you should do your own research and read reviews to decide for yourself.
Echo Mia MIDI (http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHMIAMIDI) - $130 - Another competitor in the lower price range. Echo products are considered to be fairly high quality.
RME HDSP 9632 Hammerfall DSP 24/96 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--RMEHDSP9632) - $600 - OK, so this is getting into the *really* high end. However, Hammerfall makes the best of the best. If you have no idea what to do with your money and want a killer sound card that will offer the cleanest sound and most efficient drivers, this is your card...
PCMCIA Cards (Laptop)
Echo Indigo IO Stereo 24/96 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHINDIGOIO) - $200 - Not exactly cheap, but a good solution if you want an internal sound card for your laptop that will provide pro sound quality.
EMU 1616 Laptop (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU1616) - $400 - Just like the 1616M, except... "portable". A high end solution, but worth considering if you don't want to compromise.
USB Interfaces
EMU 0404 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0404) - $200 - A slightly upgraded version of the PCI 0404 (in terms of converters) and physical control to boot. Good if you are a laptop user and like the EMU line.
EMU 0202 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0202) - $115 - This is a step down from the USB 0404. If you're not going to be recording much, no big deal. It will still perform better than your average laptop soundcard. If you plan on doing a lot of recording, however, and you want as clean a sound as possible, consider something in a slightly higher price range.
M-Audio Audiophile USB (http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOAPUSB) - $160 - Just like with the PCI Audiophile, this is a competitor to the EMU line in terms of price range. Similar features, but check the reviews for both.
Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--NINAUDIOKONTROL) - $250 - Though normally residing in the market of software instruments, NI has produced a good audio interface. Good drivers, clean sound, sleek design, and comes with a nice bundle of NI software. If you're starting from a clean slate this might be a good idea.
Edirol UA25 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EDIUA25) - $240 - Touted as a very rugged and road-ready interface, if you plan on bringing around a laptop all over the place while recording, and don't want to settle for a cheaper interface, this may be what you want. Plus, Edirol is a good company!
Digidesign Mbox 2 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--DGDMB2) - $450 - This is a combo hardware/software product, as you get Pro Tools LE with it. Much like the other, more expensive options listed so far, this is not worth it if you are only looking to ReMix or produce music as a hobby. However, if you want the next step up in terms of low-noise, solid drivers, and powerful software, The Mbox/ProTools combo is attractive.
Firewire Interfaces
Presonus Firebox (http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSFIREBOX) - $300 - Ahh.. the Firebox. I've been using one of these for a few weeks now, and my roommate had the expanded version, the Firepod. They're very good in terms of sound quality and the drivers are ROCK solid. Reasonably priced too. My only complaint is the mixing software is a little weak... you can't do a lot of routing with it, as compared to EMU's products w/ Patchmix. Still, recommended.
Presonus Firepod (http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSFIREPOD) - $500 - If you plan on doing lots of recording from multiple sources, such as a whole band, multiple vocalists, multiple synths, etc... this is a very good choice. No need to spend hundreds of dollars more on an external mixer!
Presonus Inspire 1394 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--PRSINSPIRE) - $200 - If the Firebox and Firepod are a little too big for you, the Inspire holds its own and since it's by the same company, you know the quality will be good. A good choice if budget is an issue but you need to go Firewire.
Behringer FCA202 F-Control (http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHFCA202) - $80 - Behringer isn't exactly known for their high quality audio products. However, if you absolutely can't spend much on an interface, this is what you want. It'll still be better than your average Realtek or Sigmatel audio card!
So... what card should I buy?
My personal recommendations are the EMU 0404 and Firebox. The former if budget is an issue - it's still an excellent card, and the latter if you want more power. If you're going to do a lot of recording, I can't help but recommend the Firepod. If you want some nice bundled software, the MBox 2 or Audio Kontrol 1 are both advisable, though the MBox is somewhat pricey.
In general, don't skimp. If your budget is $200, buy a card or interface that is $200. With audio gear, you generally get what you pay for. If you decide to upgrade later because you want to take music more seriously, or you want to do more recording, or whatever else, you can't get a hardware discount. Buy a $100 interface at first and you'll have to spend another $200-300 on top of that for your new, better one (maybe more). Start out with the more expensive interface and you'll have room to grow. Plus, the higher-end ones resell a lot more easily so if you DON'T like it, it won't be as hard to get rid of.
Glossary
XLR - A type of larger connection with three holes, typically used for plugging in mics. IMAGE (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Xlr-connectors.jpg/180px-Xlr-connectors.jpg)
TRS - A common audio connector used to connect all sorts of devices, from headphones, to guitars, and more. Typically 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch. IMAGE (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Photo-audiojacks.jpg/250px-Photo-audiojacks.jpg)
PCI - An internal connection type in desktop computers, used with long "cards" that attach directly to the motherboard. All desktop computers have at least a couple PCI ports, which can be used for a number of purposes, from network cards, to USB extensions, to sound cards, and more.
PCMCIA - A PCI-like interface for laptop computers. Again, many things can be installed using it including sound cards.
PCI-e - An improved form of PCI for desktops. This is mostly used for graphics cards currently.
ASIO - A software interface between an application and your sound card. Better ASIO drivers mean lower latency and less CPU usage. It is also more flexible than DirectSound, which is what most generic sound cards for Windows use.
Feel free to post here if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions.