A
axis69
New member
Hi,
I too am completely new to PC recording, just trying to figure out which card to buy. I've narrowed it down to either E-MU 1616 or the Presonus Firebox, while M-Audio (Firewire 410) is less an option. My budget is around 400 EUR (roughly the same in US$)
I'm going to use the card to try to make good quality basic midi recording, guitar, vocals, not to mix or make pro finished products (I lack the knowledge and the equipment). I would like to make good demo versions and maybe even use the MIDI and guitar parts in a pro studio later on. It might also come in handy on stage to play loops and prerecorded stuff with my band.
I will be using a 1,86 GHz Pentium M Centrino Laptop with 1 GB RAM, 80 GB 5400rpm S-ATA HDD, firewire and the lot.
I'll probably buy the card abroad (considerably cheaper), but then warranties and repair/replacement can be an issue. Here are my pros and cons for each card (from reading the posts, reviews, etc.):
1. E-MU
- PROS:
I like the fact that one can work with the cardbus alone. I like the bundled software (to see which - Sonar, Cubase or Ableton could work for me). I like the virtual guitar amps option, and I like E-MU's Proteus VST's, especially the soft vintage synths (they are cheap but seem good enough). And the fact that it doesn't use the computer's CPU and the minimum latency are also very appealing
-CONS:
I read about the trouble with drivers, the fact that PCI cards might become obsolete (i.e. useless with a new laptop) in a few years' time (how true is that?). The DSP mixer is said to be complicated.
Also, is the difference in converters (in regard to the 1616m) worth the difference in price - when used as above.
2. FIREBOX
- PROS: It seems sturdier, Firewire is apparently the future (correct me if I'm wrong), its drivers stable, the DSP mixer is apparently easier to manage.
- CONS: only CUBASE LE, the sound quality appears to be (from what I read) not as good as the E-MU.
From the above pros and cons, the Firebox seems like a more rational decision, but I still verge towards the E-MU. I don't know why... Can anyone help and persuade me for one or the other?
Sorry about all this rambling, but I'm on a budget here and will think 1000 times before buying (see, it's hard to persuade the wife that hubby REALLY needs and wants this and that this is why we can't afford to spend a weekend on the coast).
Also, what are the VST's in the Cubase LE (I'll probably upgrade to SE)? Any good?
And lastly, what 49-key MIDI master keyboard would you recommend for around 150 EURO (US$)? I've tried the M-Audio and the Korg, but didn't like the feel of the keys, EDIROL seemed better (but then I read the users' comments about breaking after a year or so), and I haven't seen or tried the E-MU.
Thanks for reading, I hope someone will help me out. Enjoy, and keep on rockin' in this strange world
I too am completely new to PC recording, just trying to figure out which card to buy. I've narrowed it down to either E-MU 1616 or the Presonus Firebox, while M-Audio (Firewire 410) is less an option. My budget is around 400 EUR (roughly the same in US$)
I'm going to use the card to try to make good quality basic midi recording, guitar, vocals, not to mix or make pro finished products (I lack the knowledge and the equipment). I would like to make good demo versions and maybe even use the MIDI and guitar parts in a pro studio later on. It might also come in handy on stage to play loops and prerecorded stuff with my band.
I will be using a 1,86 GHz Pentium M Centrino Laptop with 1 GB RAM, 80 GB 5400rpm S-ATA HDD, firewire and the lot.
I'll probably buy the card abroad (considerably cheaper), but then warranties and repair/replacement can be an issue. Here are my pros and cons for each card (from reading the posts, reviews, etc.):
1. E-MU
- PROS:
I like the fact that one can work with the cardbus alone. I like the bundled software (to see which - Sonar, Cubase or Ableton could work for me). I like the virtual guitar amps option, and I like E-MU's Proteus VST's, especially the soft vintage synths (they are cheap but seem good enough). And the fact that it doesn't use the computer's CPU and the minimum latency are also very appealing
-CONS:
I read about the trouble with drivers, the fact that PCI cards might become obsolete (i.e. useless with a new laptop) in a few years' time (how true is that?). The DSP mixer is said to be complicated.
Also, is the difference in converters (in regard to the 1616m) worth the difference in price - when used as above.
2. FIREBOX
- PROS: It seems sturdier, Firewire is apparently the future (correct me if I'm wrong), its drivers stable, the DSP mixer is apparently easier to manage.
- CONS: only CUBASE LE, the sound quality appears to be (from what I read) not as good as the E-MU.
From the above pros and cons, the Firebox seems like a more rational decision, but I still verge towards the E-MU. I don't know why... Can anyone help and persuade me for one or the other?
Sorry about all this rambling, but I'm on a budget here and will think 1000 times before buying (see, it's hard to persuade the wife that hubby REALLY needs and wants this and that this is why we can't afford to spend a weekend on the coast).
Also, what are the VST's in the Cubase LE (I'll probably upgrade to SE)? Any good?
And lastly, what 49-key MIDI master keyboard would you recommend for around 150 EURO (US$)? I've tried the M-Audio and the Korg, but didn't like the feel of the keys, EDIROL seemed better (but then I read the users' comments about breaking after a year or so), and I haven't seen or tried the E-MU.
Thanks for reading, I hope someone will help me out. Enjoy, and keep on rockin' in this strange world