timtheenchanteruk Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 biting the bullet and moving over to computer based playback shortly, I will be using a windows based laptop for the platform, stripped down and used only for sound editing/live playback, no Internet connection, and probably no network. As laptop sound card are invariably naff, and PSUs troublesome, I want an external sound card, preferably USB2, possibly firewire with balanced in/out either by XLR or 6.5mm jack I'm presuming the software used will be the part to play 2 tracks simultaneously, and not the sound card, so only 1 pair of ins/outs required, no multi-tracking here! I'm also looking to spend up-to about £200 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunk_1984 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 A quick look on thomann brings up this: http://www.thomann.de/gb/maudio_fast_track_pro.htm there are others however I only had a quick look : http://www.thomann.de/gb/audio_interfaces.html Also it is a 6.3mm or 1/4inch jack not 6.5mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basilbrush1982 Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I can't name a specific device - sorry - but I have used M-Audio and Edirol systems for ages and both are great so I'd recommend one of those manufacturers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fletch Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 We use RME cards in desktops at work, which work very well. I notice they have some notebook / firewire products available, could be worth looking at. RME stuff Although, could be overkill for your application... Fletch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesperrett Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I've used an M-Audio Mobile Pre for various sound duties with a few different laptops. It has worked fine mostly but there is one drawback. If you suffer from ground loop problems with the internal soundcard then you will probably still suffer from the same problems with an external soundcard. You will need to pay attention to your grounding arrangements for a laptop soundcard to work successfully. Cheers James. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyF Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 A quick look on thomann brings up this: http://www.thomann.de/gb/maudio_fast_track_pro.htmI've seen problems with PC laptops and the Maudio Fast Track Pro, it seems to have driver issues! That said, I've used other Maudio cards and haven't had any trouble.Cheers TonyF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Its the balanced I/O is the problem; I use the entry point Edirol with about 1m of CPC sourced jack/phono AV lead, and never have any noise or hum loop problems. The PC is a normal PC with proper earthing, and it is plugged in to the same power strip as the sound desk. Whatever you do, dont get a Behringer BCA2000. On paper it looks perfect, 2 x XLR in with proper phantom, and balanced outs on TRS (and six outputs at that, perfect for theatre use), but.... the software (or at least the WDM playback bit of it) is faulty. there is some type of disconnect occurs after a while, and the output is a one second loop of the audio before it went wrong. Closing the app and reopening it gives you a few minutes more workability before it dies again. Mine still exists because its nice having a one box audio in solution for recording, but otherwise I swear I'd have sledged it. What I'd like to try is a WDM --> ASIO converter shim, but I cant find one, only ASIO --> WDM like ASIO4All, as I suspect I'm the only person trying to use one of these things using WDM, and that the ASIO drivers work fine, but all my software prefers WDM... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoppaDom Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Just out of curiosity which software are you running that prefers WDM? Poppadom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 Apologies if this is hijacking this thread slightly, but I was thinking of adding something to the old usb soundcards topic, and this is more current (although am surprised the mods haven't merged it!): I'm also after a reasonably cheap USB soundcard to go with my new laptop, and was just wondering if anyone is in a position to compare the usually recommended Edirol UA25 with the Edirol 0404 USB which seems to be of a comparable price and functionality!? Just wondering if it is any better as it seems newer!? Thanks Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightsource Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 For Multi track recording / playback, look at the M Audio Delta 10/10. External 19" rack pre-amps, and multi-channel playback and record. What is your intended application? Sound editing, and live playback is far too basic to give a detailed response. What is the definition of editing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 Just out of curiosity which software are you running that prefers WDM? PCStage. It supports ASIO, but not nearly as well as WDM. ASIO is big in the sequencer marketplace, which is where the multichannel ASIO cards are targetted at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtheenchanteruk Posted June 30, 2007 Author Share Posted June 30, 2007 What is your intended application? Sound editing, and live playback is far too basic to give a detailed response. What is the definition of editing? editing, is generally just either shortening existing backing tracks, or chopping off bits and looping to get them longer, or editing sound effects, chopping unwanted bits, multitracking multiple effects to get the desired one, for example school playground, and cars passing. All of which I do on my current home PC (Celeron 800, 512RAM, standard sound-blaster card) using audacity, so nothing special. for the live playback, its theatre setting, for general shows, dance schools (ugh!) etc through a yamaha MG3214FX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eviljohn2 Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 My Edirol UA-25 works nicely and does exactly what it says on the tin. http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/fl...product_id/4001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_kyuss Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 hi all I like E-mu stuff although I've never used it with a laptop(I have the E-mu 1820m on a pc tower) the emu 0404 http://www.turnkey.co.uk/web/productAction...amp;context=WEB £132.99 I've never had any problems with mine I had it 4 years now and it works perfectlycheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtheenchanteruk Posted June 30, 2007 Author Share Posted June 30, 2007 the emu looks good, it has midi as well, which could be useful at some point (I could connect my FBX for a start, (although not sure what that would acheive!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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