Toddskins
Member
Other threads have made me aware of seemingly excellent audio cards by EMU, and would love to buy one (i.e. the 0404), but am afraid until I hear of others' experience. yay or nay folks?
Thanks,
Todd
Thanks,
Todd
minofifa
New member
i'm seriously considering it. I'm interested in the 1820M.
What im wondering is, what do people use as preamps? The E-MU has 6 TRS imputs and 2 XLR preamps built in. i would hate to buy a 8-preamp system like the m-audio octance and have 2 pres go to waste.
What im wondering is, what do people use as preamps? The E-MU has 6 TRS imputs and 2 XLR preamps built in. i would hate to buy a 8-preamp system like the m-audio octance and have 2 pres go to waste.
Paul881
Look Mom, I can play!
The EMU range got a very good review in last months SOS magazine, its currently embargoed for non-subscribers but the basic comments were positive as long as you don't wish to have gsif support or wdm drivers above 96k/24bit sample rates.
The other comment is that the input impedance of the instruments "in" are insufficient for DI'ing passive guitar pickups.
Also check out the Delta range from M-Audio:
http://www.midiman.net/
Good luck!
The other comment is that the input impedance of the instruments "in" are insufficient for DI'ing passive guitar pickups.
Also check out the Delta range from M-Audio:
http://www.midiman.net/
Good luck!
J
jamie_drum
New member
It seems like an attractive package, both in terms of quality and price. The Emulator X software is also getting a good review.
The big downside in the design, from my point of view, is that the onboard DSP effects only seem to work at 16 bits/44MHz. What a downer.
Otherwise, you are getting a good audio interface, a sampler (don't need to buy Kontakt), and a suite of DSP effects (dont need to buy a UAD-1).
However, I haven't bought one myself, I have just read the reviews. I already have a soundcard I like. Otherwise, I would seriously consider this package.
The big downside in the design, from my point of view, is that the onboard DSP effects only seem to work at 16 bits/44MHz. What a downer.
Otherwise, you are getting a good audio interface, a sampler (don't need to buy Kontakt), and a suite of DSP effects (dont need to buy a UAD-1).
However, I haven't bought one myself, I have just read the reviews. I already have a soundcard I like. Otherwise, I would seriously consider this package.
Toddskins
Member
EMU 0404 bought and now being returned
Well,
I bought it yesterday, and am already returning it.
It is POSSIBLE that there is a problem in my DELL Dimension 8400, but I don't think so. And I'm too scared now to try installing it again.
I have a DELL technician coming to my place in the next day or two to fix my computer after trying to install the EMU card. Blue screen, had to do 2 sysem restores, a complete PC restore, now the CD-ROM does not show up and cannot be used. Brand spanking new DELL (not even a week old).
It was during EMU's CD install of their package, that my new computer freaked out and locked up with a blue screen.
The EMU directions and owner's manual is not very explicit. For example, M-Audio's owner's manual have lots of ideas and work-arounds and troubleshooting answers in their manuals. Not so EMU. Very little. I'm also not thrilled with having to get my head around their Patch Mixer utility BEFORE I can even use the card with SONAR. I'm tired.
Like I said, it is POSSIBLE that the problem is not the EMU, but rather a faulty DELL, but I'm not taking any more chances.
Oh, another thing. EMU states that you should remove any and all other sound cards and uninstall them BEFORE installing the 0404 card. Then, after getting their card up and running, try to reinstall other sound cards. That spells worry enough. But in that warning suggestion, they do not even explain that very well. After I spoke with a DELL Tech Support (3x yesterday!), the guy said that simply removing the AUDIGY card out of the slot should cause all the drivers for it to not be used, therefore he thought that that should be sufficient (not necessary to disable drivers in the Device Mgr., nor have to run an UNISTALL program on Creative's AUDIGY, he thought).
Well, who knows.
Todd
Well,
I bought it yesterday, and am already returning it.
It is POSSIBLE that there is a problem in my DELL Dimension 8400, but I don't think so. And I'm too scared now to try installing it again.
I have a DELL technician coming to my place in the next day or two to fix my computer after trying to install the EMU card. Blue screen, had to do 2 sysem restores, a complete PC restore, now the CD-ROM does not show up and cannot be used. Brand spanking new DELL (not even a week old).
It was during EMU's CD install of their package, that my new computer freaked out and locked up with a blue screen.
The EMU directions and owner's manual is not very explicit. For example, M-Audio's owner's manual have lots of ideas and work-arounds and troubleshooting answers in their manuals. Not so EMU. Very little. I'm also not thrilled with having to get my head around their Patch Mixer utility BEFORE I can even use the card with SONAR. I'm tired.
Like I said, it is POSSIBLE that the problem is not the EMU, but rather a faulty DELL, but I'm not taking any more chances.
Oh, another thing. EMU states that you should remove any and all other sound cards and uninstall them BEFORE installing the 0404 card. Then, after getting their card up and running, try to reinstall other sound cards. That spells worry enough. But in that warning suggestion, they do not even explain that very well. After I spoke with a DELL Tech Support (3x yesterday!), the guy said that simply removing the AUDIGY card out of the slot should cause all the drivers for it to not be used, therefore he thought that that should be sufficient (not necessary to disable drivers in the Device Mgr., nor have to run an UNISTALL program on Creative's AUDIGY, he thought).
Well, who knows.
Todd
ocnor
Lord Of The Thighs
It sounds like the Dell tech is an idiot! You should always uninstall the drivers before removing the card.
J
Jim Y
New member
The 0404 has the same emu10k02 chip as the Audigy, so there is a very good chance that XP will install the Audigy driver by mistake.
However, E-mu do have online advice on how to install their new cards in this case.
However, E-mu do have online advice on how to install their new cards in this case.
S
Sklathill
Soundcard Junkie
I've been using the 1820 with Sonar 3 no problem. Stand recording with synths through line in and the ADAT behringer pre, and playback no problem...
BTW, mino, I don't know if you noticed in the other thread, but the Octane would just connect to the ADAT in. You're not losing 2 preamps at all...
BTW, mino, I don't know if you noticed in the other thread, but the Octane would just connect to the ADAT in. You're not losing 2 preamps at all...
minofifa
New member
ya but i don't think i would use the ADAT cause i would want to get the full 96 khz sampling rate out of the sound card but if you use 8 lines of ADAT, you have to downgrade on the quality to 44 khz or something like that.
S
Sklathill
Soundcard Junkie
All right, that's the nature of ADAT. Me, I'm happy running at 24/44 or 24/48 for all my projects, but if you need 96, that's fine. Remember that the PRE has to support s/mux at 96 and 192 khz as well. I'm not sure the octane supports it... (I'm pretty sure the Presonus (non-LT) and Focusrite adat pres do)
minofifa
New member
what is s/mux?
well to be honest, i have never recorded at 96 khz, i jus thought it would give me that extra headroom i need to mix after i have done my tracking. How does ADAT work again? is it 8 tracks at 48 khz and 24 bit or is it 8 tracks at 44 khz at 24 bit?
well to be honest, i have never recorded at 96 khz, i jus thought it would give me that extra headroom i need to mix after i have done my tracking. How does ADAT work again? is it 8 tracks at 48 khz and 24 bit or is it 8 tracks at 44 khz at 24 bit?
S
Sklathill
Soundcard Junkie
Remember, higher sampling rate means better frequency resolution. Resolving more frequency doesn't give you more headroom for mixing. Increasing the bit depth can give you more headroom by giving you more usable dynamic range, but I'm assuming you're already doing 24 bit...and if you're not, you should be.
SMUX is an add on to the ADAT protocol, such that both the sender and the receiver know that one signal is sent on two or possibly four channels of the ADAT stream. You can have 8 channels of 44/48, 4 channels of 88/96, and 2 channels of 176/192...assuming both devices support smux and the AD converters on the preamp go that high. On my Behry, I can only use 44 or 48 khz, since no smux support. Looking at it again, the Octane doesn't support S/MUX. I mackie 800R should support it, I think...not much info on the website...
SMUX is an add on to the ADAT protocol, such that both the sender and the receiver know that one signal is sent on two or possibly four channels of the ADAT stream. You can have 8 channels of 44/48, 4 channels of 88/96, and 2 channels of 176/192...assuming both devices support smux and the AD converters on the preamp go that high. On my Behry, I can only use 44 or 48 khz, since no smux support. Looking at it again, the Octane doesn't support S/MUX. I mackie 800R should support it, I think...not much info on the website...
N
Nuclio
New member
jamie_drum said:
mshea
New member
Tell Me More
I am quite interested in Sonar 3.1. I have been using Cakewalk for a while and have just purchased the E-MU 1820. After having a hell of a time getting it functional with my new Dell Dimension 8400 (the problem with emu 1820 & dell in my case was lack of power in the pci slot to the card, simply fixed by disabling Audigy 2 card)
I've been informed that Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 doesn't support the ASIO this emu is based on. Am i going to be OK making this upgrade???
My configuration is below. And i need to ensure projects i started in Cakewalk will work properly if i finish it up in Sonar 3.1??!!?? Will it 'find' the wave files in projects that weren't bundled.
Mountainmirrors said:I just got my 1212m today
Two big f'n thumbs up...All I did was install the cards and run the installation disc. And the Emu perfectly configured itself automatically in Sonar 3.1.1.
And the sound is pristine, IMHO!!!
I am quite interested in Sonar 3.1. I have been using Cakewalk for a while and have just purchased the E-MU 1820. After having a hell of a time getting it functional with my new Dell Dimension 8400 (the problem with emu 1820 & dell in my case was lack of power in the pci slot to the card, simply fixed by disabling Audigy 2 card)
I've been informed that Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 doesn't support the ASIO this emu is based on. Am i going to be OK making this upgrade???
My configuration is below. And i need to ensure projects i started in Cakewalk will work properly if i finish it up in Sonar 3.1??!!?? Will it 'find' the wave files in projects that weren't bundled.
moskus
The Creator of Æ, Ø and Å
mshea said:
They will work alright, if you set up the paths like you have them in PA9.
mshea
New member
Sklathill said:
OKAY! That's it. I can't take it...i'm getting Sonar 4 Producer...HOPING it will be as flawless with the 1820 as your Sonar 3. Wish me luck. I had
Cakewalke Pro Audio and an Aardvark...the Aardvark got really funny and my old Gateway crapped out, so I got a Dell and the e-mu 1820. LOVE the 1820...they SAY it's not possible, but stuff sounds a whole hell of a lot BETTER running through the e-mu than it EVER did through the aardvark which means my stuff sounds a lot WORSE because now i'm hearing all these mistakes and issues i never noticed before, but those can be fixed. Moving forward...i couldn't figure out how the heck to use cubase which came bundled with the 1820...it took me 3 hours to record 7 tracks and it hasn't gotten any less frustrating with practice... i'm not trying to be a rocket scientist...i just need to lay my parts down before i forget them. SO! Wish me luck...I'm BUYING! Will keep you posted.... Thanks for the thread!
J
jamie_drum
New member
0404 recently reviewed in Sound on Sound
I just read a review of the 0404 in Sound on Sound. Essentially, they had positive things to say, especially given the price. Sadly, it has better audio specs than my faithful M-Audio Audiophile 2496, which has worked flawlessly from day one (don't worry honey, I won't replace you). I believe M-Audio have dropped their price on the PCI Audiophile, no doubt as a consequence.
I just read a review of the 0404 in Sound on Sound. Essentially, they had positive things to say, especially given the price. Sadly, it has better audio specs than my faithful M-Audio Audiophile 2496, which has worked flawlessly from day one (don't worry honey, I won't replace you). I believe M-Audio have dropped their price on the PCI Audiophile, no doubt as a consequence.