Ardvark Q10 Spec questions and Comparisons.

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ambi

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I was thinking of getting a delta 44 to start out, seeming they just dropped in price to 350 canadian. But then i stumbled upon heaps of posts lately about the Ardvark Q10. People were singing it's praise so i thought i should check it out. Now is it just me or is this thing too good to be true? Now it is quite a bit more expensive than the delta 1010. But it has 8 preamps, headphone outs with volume control, monitor outs with volume control, ..err, and a bunch of other good stuff i dont' remember off by heart.

Anyways i have a few questions, maybe those of you who are researching it can sell it to me, and reinforce your own decsicions.

-2 EFR? Guitar Hi-Z Inputs2
EFR? Guitar Hi-Z Inputs - Exactly what are these? Now they are an extra 2 inputs correct? So you could have 8 things running through the ardvark, plus these 2, which would make 10? What exactly do they do? Are they amplified?

-The preamps. Now they are described as "Class A", and i've heard people say they are awesome, much better than the mackies or soundcrafts. Is there any truth to this? What stand alone preamp/mixer could i compare them to?

-96/88.2khz? i read a new update will allow recording in this, but is it actually something the card was made to do? Or is this just some extra thing they programed in to sort of "fake" 96/88.2khz?

-Four 1/4 in. TRS Inserts
I'm sorry but what exactly do i use these inserts for? Are they in addition to the total 8ins/8outs. or are they extra?

-AD/DA conversion quality? How does it stack up to the competition? Motu, RME, Delta 1010.

I'm thinking that because i don't have to go, MIC - MIXING BOARD - SOUNDCARD, i can just go MIC - SOUNDCARD. wouldn't it save some signal quality? I'd bypass all of the noise of the mixer (which i don't need, just the preamps and monitor control +headphones) so i'd think i'd save something...

Any other things i've missed about how great it is? Granted its about 1300 Canadian i think, which is about 1000 more than i can get the delta card for. I need some selling i'm a poor soon to be student!
 
Not so fast.

People who use it in 2000/XP over at www.audioforums.com are harldy posting good things about it.

Aardvark support is absolute crap and their A|WDM drivers still have issues.
 
brzilian: I just went over to audioforums.com and did a search on Q10. I don't see anyone posting about Q10 issues with a post date AFTER the latest driver release -- am I missing a thread? Can you point me to a particular thread? By the way, it looks like some folks have had success with XP/2000 and the Q10 all along, while others haven't. In particular, it looks like the biggest problems have been compatibility with keeping both a Q10 AND a soundblaster card in the same system. If I'm building a system for heavy duty audio, that's hardly an issue.

ambi:
The two EFR inputs (some folks love them, others feel like they are of marginal utility) use a switch to go between channels 7&8 working normally, and working as high impedance channels, so you don't get 10 channels overall - just 8 with the last two having the extra flexibility.

The preamps have DARN good specs, and the reviews say they are outstanding. There's a site which compares the audio performance of a TON of audio cards -- http://www.pcavtech.com/soundcards/compare/
The Q10 is basically the same preamps/converters as the 24/96, but has more channels and does not have the limited effects.

The converters really are running at 96 kHz with the current drivers. Aardvark is noted for the stability of their clocks - should work well.

Inserts are used to allow you to put analog gear into the signal chain after the preamp, but before it gets digitized. Its one plug, that you plug a special plug into that splits into out and in. This can be VERY handy for adding a compressor or equalizer to the chain before digitizing -- gives you a lot of flexibility.

Quality of digitization -- again, check out the comparitive site -- he checks this out too and gives it high marks.

As for mic-board-soundcard vs. mic-soundcard....good thought, but probably not realistic. *Usually* the onboard preamps of a sound card are a lot worse than the ones in a good mixer. The Q10 appears to be an exception.

If you don't need 8 inputs, you might also consider the 24/96 and save a few bucks...

Good luck!
-lee-
 
Most of the problems relating to the Q10 seem to have centered on either the chipset used or a second soundcard in the system. Since loading the new drivers I have had no problems whatsoever but I would still recommend checking with Aardvark to see if your system is compatible. If it is then the Q10 is outstanding.

I have to disagree about Aardvark support though, at least in my experience. Its been far better than most other companies Ive had dealings with.
 
laptoppop said:
brzilian: I just went over to audioforums.com and did a search on Q10. I don't see anyone posting about Q10 issues with a post date AFTER the latest driver release -- am I missing a thread? Can you point me to a particular thread? By the way, it looks like some folks have had success with XP/2000 and the Q10 all along, while others haven't. In particular, it looks like the biggest problems have been compatibility with keeping both a Q10 AND a soundblaster card in the same system. If I'm building a system for heavy duty audio, that's hardly an issue.

ambi:
The two EFR inputs (some folks love them, others feel like they are of marginal utility) use a switch to go between channels 7&8 working normally, and working as high impedance channels, so you don't get 10 channels overall - just 8 with the last two having the extra flexibility.

The preamps have DARN good specs, and the reviews say they are outstanding. There's a site which compares the audio performance of a TON of audio cards -- http://www.pcavtech.com/soundcards/compare/
The Q10 is basically the same preamps/converters as the 24/96, but has more channels and does not have the limited effects.

The converters really are running at 96 kHz with the current drivers. Aardvark is noted for the stability of their clocks - should work well.

Inserts are used to allow you to put analog gear into the signal chain after the preamp, but before it gets digitized. Its one plug, that you plug a special plug into that splits into out and in. This can be VERY handy for adding a compressor or equalizer to the chain before digitizing -- gives you a lot of flexibility.

Quality of digitization -- again, check out the comparitive site -- he checks this out too and gives it high marks.

As for mic-board-soundcard vs. mic-soundcard....good thought, but probably not realistic. *Usually* the onboard preamps of a sound card are a lot worse than the ones in a good mixer. The Q10 appears to be an exception.

If you don't need 8 inputs, you might also consider the 24/96 and save a few bucks...

Good luck!
-lee-
Click to expand...

Do a search on Aardvark drivers, not Q10.

Making customers wait for over a year for working 2000/XP drivers is harldly an example of good support in my books...
 
brzilian said:
Do a search on Aardvark drivers, not Q10.

Making customers wait for over a year for working 2000/XP drivers is harldly an example of good support in my books...
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I looked at the most recent posts - looks like most folks are doing great with the new drivers. As always, there are a few folks with issues, but it seems to be working great for most folks, especially with Sonar.

For my day job, I'm a project manager for a software development team (nothing to do with music). I can tell you it is INSANE to try to get software to work robustly with every possible configuration that's out there. You do the best you can - but sometimes the problem looks like its you, but its a different combination of programs, etc. Especially in music software, where you not only have the big programs, but where everyone and their cousin have written plugins -- sheesh! It must be a royal pain to try to do QA testing and get good platform coverage.

I agree with one thing -- Aardvark is pretty slow with driver revisions. On the other hand, at least they answer their emails/calls!

-lee-
 
I have a Q10 and is great. I mean really great. For me the pre amps are a step or more above DMP3 or Mackie pre's. I can't say whether they really sound class A as I have never owned a class A preamp.

What Brazillian is saying is about a year or more old, as the drivers have been rock solid for me and I have had mine for a nearly 3 months now. I am buying another one in the middle of January.

I had a bad unit upon arrival and I must say that Aardvark support is top notch. They are a small company and value their customers for sure. There is no automatic system when you call. Just a receptionist that picks up and is very polite. I had mine fixed and back in 2 or 3 weeks.

I can't say enough good about this card. If you want some samples I have done with it just ask.

Beezoboy
 
Another completely satisfied Q-10 owner piping in.

Actually there are 10 inputs that can record simultaniously, but two of them are digital inputs and for most are probably rarely used (at least I havn't used them yet).

As stated the 4 TRS inserts are in the back of the unit and are used to insert hardware units. I use a RNC for my vox and so it plugs in nicely into the back...you can use effects processors and the like as well.

Since you seem to be a bit confused as to the true number of inputs I thought I would break it down a bit. On the front of the machine you see 8 1/4"/XLR combo inputs. There are two digital inputs in the back. The first 4 inputs have the option of providing phantom power to mic's requiring the boost. The last two inputs have the option of providing the "Hi-Z" boost so you can plug a guitar directly in and get a usable signal. I don't use this function a lot, but I have used it and it can be handy to have there. Inputs 5 and 6 are regualr inputs with no special options (no phantom power or Hi-Z) available. As mentioned before there are two more digital inputs on the back of the unit.

I can't say enough about how awesome this unit is as an "all in one" recording device. I heard that in the past aardvark has been slow with drivers, but I bought mine about 6 months ago so I seemed to have missed all the drama. The drivers I use work perfect and I have now had probably close to 4 months of flawless Cubase VST32 and SX recording with no drop outs or crashes. Another nice thing about aardvark products is expandability. You can piggyback up to 4 aardvark devices (yep, even different aardvark devices work together!) and they are designed to work together. I will probably be adding one more Q-10 to really complete my setup.

The only negative thing (which accounts for why I have only had the last 4 months of flawless recording, out of the 6 months I owned it) is the ability for the Q-10 to exist with Soundblasters. In the manual it clearly states that the Q-10 can co-exist with Soundblaster products. I kept having problems with drop-outs and my Q-10 going to "sleep" on me and I thought it had to be the software so I did tweak after tweak and nothing seemed to help. Finally out of desperation I e-mailed aardvark. Within about an hour I had a response e-mail with the fix: disable the cr*pblaster. Low and behold it did the trick and it has been easy flying from then on. So the plus out of that negative ws that CS was very quick and accurate.

I hope all this helps you...you won't be sorry with the unit.
 
Wow thanks for all of the helpful replies guys. It sounds like this is really an awesome unit. I would love to hear some samples of the sound quality of the converters and preamps. Even if its just a single instrument (playing quality doesn't matter), just to hear the quality of the recording. That would be awesome.

I'm in Canada by the way. So i just have to find a store that carries them. I'm on Vancouver Island so there isn't a heck of a lot of music stores, just a big long and mcquade. But in Vancouver they have long and mcquade, tom lee music, and i'm sure many more.
 
Hey ambi, its me again

I run a q10 under XP and old drivers. runs fine for music recording. I am using sampitude 6.0 as my multitrack software. I must admit I did a lot of research before I built my computer to run the q10 in. Especially on deciding the chipset for the motherboard. I ended up with the abit 845g chipset. Works Great!!

As far as support, I have personally called Aardvark even before I bought my Q10 and computer as to which chipset to buy and other issues about the q10. They were very helpful.

The only negative issue I know which we recently talked about is the delay or slow loading mp3s using winamp or media player. But as far as my multitrack software. I never had a problem.

As far as Class A amplifiers - What that means is the full signal gets amplified (both the + and - half cycles) whereas other classes (I think Class C and B) it attenuates one of the half cyles.---I'm digging back from my Electronics Tech school knowledge years and years ago.
But basically it amplifies the whole signal coming in. Maybe someone else can say it a little clearer.

Good Luck,
Larry
 
Wow, I'm impressed with this card. I had to spend $300 CAN above the cost of my Audiophile 24/96 to get the sound in and out and I can safely say my behringer 802a doesn't have the pres of this beast. If the built in effects and bundled software (not to mention having 4 inputs) are usable they would go a long way to making up the remaining difference in setup cost. No mixer to haul around if you want to record in a few different rooms.

Looks like a nice package if the price is right.
 
Yes, I think its a great card for doing solid quality recording.

Just to be clear, there are two different cards, the DirectPro 24/96 and the Q10 with slightly different specs:

DirectPro 24/96 -- 4 channels with preamps, 2 digital ins, 6 outs. DSP effects (compressor, equalizer, reverb) -- not the pristine quality of the preamps and digitizers, but useful for monitoring with effects while recording. Effects are only available when recording at 44.1 or 48 kHz, not 96. Phantom power on all 4 channels.

Q10 -- No effects. 8 channels with preamps, first 4 have phantom power, last two have switchable hi-z inputs for direct recording of instruments. 2 digital ins.

Both cards have on-screen monitor mixer with lots of routing control.

-lee-
 
laptoppop you just reminded me,

Routing control.

On the back of the Q10, it has 8 - 1/4" analog outputs (separate from the monitor outs) Each of these outputs can be set to anything you want. It can monitor channel X in, or channel X out, Left monitor out, Right monitor out. etc... It has (I think) 20 different posible selections for each of the analog outputs to set up.

OK, whats cool about that? What I do with it, set it up to monitor a particular analog in (say a vocalist singing) and route that signal back to the aux input of my headphone amp. The main input of my headphone amp gets the entire mix. On my headphone amp I can dial in for the singer if he/she wants more of their voice or more of the mix in their headphones. voila....all without a mixing board!!

Larry
 
I dont have much to say on the Q 10 yet but I have no problems with XP and the new 7.04 drivers. I do have a delayed start up of a few seconds. I am input monitoring, using Sonar xl 2.1 recording at 24/96 with an effective 2.0 msec latencey. I am sure it would work better with the recomended chipset amd, I am having trouble with fruityloops and sonar at the same time.
 
Ok man here are some samples of thigs I have recorded with it.

Solo Flugel Horn


R&B Style Group


Instrumental Funk (same group as above)


Electronic - A portion of this was recorded using the Q10


I am recording drums today so I might be able to edit and get a sample of that on here too.

Beezoboy
 
Thanks man

Ya know I have been trying to make a decision about the Q10. Just like our good man up there who started this post. I have read countless reviews, (but I just dont fully trust those guys). I just want to say THANK YOU Beezoboy, I see many people ask question after question, and never really get any REAL feedback to help make there decision. I like what you just did, I just heard those Mp3's you posted, and they have helped me make my decision! Thanks beezoboy!
 
gatorhaus said:
laptoppop you just reminded me,

OK, whats cool about that? What I do with it, set it up to monitor a particular analog in (say a vocalist singing) and route that signal back to the aux input of my headphone amp. The main input of my headphone amp gets the entire mix. On my headphone amp I can dial in for the singer if he/she wants more of their voice or more of the mix in their headphones. voila....all without a mixing board!!

Larry
Click to expand...
What headphone amp do you have?
 
justwantyou2kno said:
What headphone amp do you have?
Click to expand...

I have the Behringher HA4600, Which has four seperate amps with three outputs each (total of twelve headphones). You can route four aux inputs to each amp and adjust accordingly to the main mix. Each person can get the more of me in the mix while tracking.

Larry
 
Anyone want to buy a custom boat anchor. It's a novelty item really, it's made to looks a lot like a behringer 802a.

(i just listened to those samples)
 
I think it says alont when the unit goes UP $100 in price after it's release too. I got mine for $700 (on sale from $750) and it's now averaging $850...last I saw...

I had some problems in June with XP and the Q10 and I found a work around but the technical support was awsome...they replied to my emails within an hour...

unlike ASUS (motherboards) where I've waited 4 months for an email reply :P
 
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