is 96K worth it?

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adam

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OK, so I have been going through soundcard hell over the last 4 weeks trying to figure out the right card to use with SONAR. I have researched and researched and everytime I think I have a solution, the card is missing something or other.

Requirements: ADAT and at least 2 analog inputs, headphone/monitor out, WDM drivers (or available soon), budget of $800 ($1000 if the card fits all criteria)
Nice to haves: MIDI, 2 on-board preamps, ability to use with a laptop (as a secondary computer)

All the newer M-Audio and Aardvark cards don't support ADAT, and the RME DSP is delayed until the end of June and doesn't include WDM drivers. The Echo Gina is the cheapest option at $399 but no WDM drivers of yet and heard some bads things about the ADAT i/o.

The MOTU 828 seems to meet most of the criteria, yet maxes out at 24/48. What is the implication of not having 96kHz? My intent is to do some music for films, demos, etc..

My set up (700 Piii, 384 RAM, 7200 RPM IDE drive)

Thanks in advance for you comments
 
well you know that the $1000 mark will get you components that perform just as well if not better.

The example I have in mind is the delta-1010. It costs $550.
Add the delta 1010 ai that gives you adat input for like $200
get the audio buddy preamp for $90 and youre home. It has midi.
Buy a cheap amplifier for the headphone outs.

The implication of not having 96k is that you are not future proof. next years' computers will be able to handle 96 k data with ease, and u can score for dvd with 96 k. It also sounds noticeably better.
 
CyanJaguar,

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, the idea of not being future proof is a bummer and is probaby going to keep me from buying the 828. I forgot about the 1010AI, and that it is pretty inexpensive. Seems like my second option. I have exchanged some emails with RME Audio's tech support and they claim their MME drivers and soon to be released "Super MME" drivers run at the same latencies as WDM. I was skeptical, but I wrote Cakewalk support and they confirmed it and said they think highly of the RME products. I will probably wait for their DSP system to ship. It is 8 i/o, midi, adat, s/pdif, headphone and can be used with PCs and laptops and is 96kHz.

If the release date slip again, I might reconsider the Delta 1010. I hate having to update as soon as I buy something so the 96kHz feature seems pretty critical. I believe it was you that had a thread a while back about the differences. If I remember correctly you thought the difference was very noticeable.

cheers!
 
yep, the difference is very noticeable. 44.1 sounds like it should until you hear 96 and its like wow. I did not know this mic had so much high end. more airy and less boxy.
 
If you have the storage space and a system to handle it, YES it is worth it.....
 
yep, I would do as Gidge says. Dont try it unless you have the hardware. By next year though, computers will be able to handle 96 k.

I recorded 8(eight) 3:30 minute tracks into logic at 96 k and the best I could get was about 10 plugins before it would crap out.
 
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