24/96 --- USB card comparison

[riccol]

I have not posted here in a long time.
I have been doing home recording now for about 5 years but still consider myself a rank newbie.


From the beginning I have used a audiophile 24/96 card. No problems it has been rock solid still using Ntrack and happy as a pig in mud it does just what I want. Few basic mics, low end pres, monitors.

I do strickly hobby singer songwriter, type suff. Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Bass, Acid drums loops and occasional keyboard. One track at at time stuff one man band cheezy stuff. (hey my wife likes it!)

A freind came over and did some stuff with me and now wants to set up a similar small hobby setup.

Now the question.
The friend called and asked, what if he gets a USB, or Firewire card?
(Like the presonus inspire, or other 2 or 4 I/O models)
Even though I told him it was hard to beat the bang for the buck in the 24/96 and it was not problem really to open up the computer and put in the 24/96... He still wants to know would a USB or Firewire card do the same thing as my 24/96? Or could it be better, or what would be the differences.

I told him......"uhhh I don't know"

Then it dawned ...DANG! I can post it here.
So .... will a basic USB or Firwire card like the Presonus inspire, or other similar cards bring same results as the 24/96?

Originally Posted by riccol

So .... will a basic USB or Firwire card like the Presonus inspire, or other similar cards bring same results as the 24/96?

I've never used those but my guess would be the sound quality would be just as good as the 24/96 if not better. But I doubt there would be a real noticeable difference either way.

Also, I would recommend using FireWire over USB. USB 2 is fast enough for several tracks, but I would still feel better about using FireWire for 4+ tracks at a time.

[casualtyfigure]

If i had a choice... USB or Firewire.


i would go with firewire.

USB is cheaper.
Firewire is higher end.

I dont know...

I would just feel safer with firewire.
Plus, everything seems to be going that way anyways.
Anything of very decent or "high" quality...
has firewire attached to it.

But hell...

I love my $60 4 track cassette recorder.

Do what you feel is right.
If its just a little project studio as you hinted to...
Go with wont break the budget.

Theres pro's and con's to everything.

If anything...trial and error.

But if i had the cash to spend and spare...id say...fire.


to hell with it...
Just buy something with m and audio attached to it and call it a day.
the letters pci never hurt anyone lol

[Tinnitus]

You should check out the emu 0404 usb for 199.99