Just bought a Q10, anything I should know? What to do with my delta44?

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shackrock

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So, just got a used Aardvark Direct Pro Q10. For about $415 after shipping (that's a deal, i'd say..no?).

1st off - anything I should know about it re: installation, first use (with veagas 5, xp, amd 2000+, gig of ram. M-Audio BX5's), use in general, etc. etc.
Also - how would you all reccommend I set up the control panel (sample rates, etc. etc. - I know I will want to use 24-bit/44.1 though...so maybe more along the lines of buffer size settings, etc.)
2nd off - Is it POSSIBLE to use this in conjunction with my Delta44? Worth it?
3rd off - My preamp options are now: the Q10 pre's, and my DMP2 pre's. How do these compare, if anyone knows? I know I've heard a lot about, "don't use the same pre's for everything on any particular song, it'll all sound too similar and harder to distinguish what you want to stand out, etc. etc." - but, would i then be smart to still record things like - maybe miced guitars and vox through the DMP2 and everything else through the Q10 or what?

I think that's all I got for now, but I'm sure i'll come back with more questions, ha!
thanks yall.
 
that IS a deal. U lucky thing that must be one of the best 8 I/O sound cards in the world
 
I have a Q10 and generally dig it. You got a killer deal on it. :)

You're running an AMD CPU? I remember reading somewhere, possibly at the Aardvark website, that they highly recommend an Intel chipset on your motherboard. In fact, an Intel chipset might be a requirement. I don't recall if it required an Intel CPU though. Check their website and FAQ's to be sure. If I come across it, I'll post another message in this thread.

Buffering: I know this is a lame answer, but it really depends on what you're doing. Experiment and see what you can and can't do.

Using with your Delta 44: note sure. I added an MBox to my setup recently, which Vegas sees just fine. However, I think I had to choose which sound device to use. That is, I think they were mutually exclusive because of the driver. Again, I would just try it. I can verify my setup on this tonight when I get home.

The Q10 pre's are very decent IMO. The first four have TRS inserts, and the last two the special "hi-z" circuitry for guitars. I've noticed they are a little brighter sounding than my MBox (which are made by Focusrite). I think the MBox sounds better, but the Q10 is really darned good too. Sure, why not use a different mic pre for different things? Whatever sounds best. Again, just go for it and see how it sounds.

Overall, I've been very happy with my Q10. I use it to track into Vegas, then take those waves into ProTools for mixing. If I get a Digi002R, someone else might just get a killer deal on a Q10 on ebay. :)
 
umm... you cant use an AMD cpu on an intel chipset, or an intel cpu on an AMD chipset.

I run the aardvark 24/96 just fine on my nforce 2 board with an athlon barton 2500 (@3200 btw). Im actually looking at upgrading to the q10 as well... i hope i can get as good a deal as you got.

good luck.
 
Thanks for the clarification, photo. It's been a few months, but now I remember after checking this URL:

http://www.aardvarkaudio.com/support/hardware.html

I decided that to rule out any possible incompatibility, *I* wanted to go with an Intel CPU and chipset. It doesn't look to be a requirement though. From the FAQ link above:

<---snip--->
Chipsets:
AMD : If a motherboard uses the AMD 750, 751, or any other chipset beginning with 75, it is not compatible with our products. AMD ceased production of these chipsets several years ago.
Other AMD chipsets, such as the 761, work just fine.
Intel : There are no reported incompatibilities with any Intel Chipsets
<---snip--->

It looks like SIS, ATI, and Via chipsets are to be avoided for pro audio. "no reported incompatibilities" is what swayed me when I was looking at the Q10 and a new PC. To each his own, I guess. :)

All that aside, shack, how is your Q10 working for you?
 
I've been using one for around a year now. I'm on a 2.8 P4 Sony Viao 512md ddr.

It's been working good when the driver is working. I think I've had to install the sriver maybe 40 times. It will just go out after 20 min of use then I have no DSP control over the unit. Not cool!
 
I havn't even gotten it installed yet, still trying to get xp PRO on this rig and start fresh. It's just a bit of a hassle at the moment, but i'm almost there. haha. i will DEFIANTELY let everyone know.

And, I HOPE my via doesnt give me problems...!ha.
 
shackrock said:
I havn't even gotten it installed yet, still trying to get xp PRO on this rig and start fresh. It's just a bit of a hassle at the moment, but i'm almost there. haha. i will DEFIANTELY let everyone know.

And, I HOPE my via doesnt give me problems...!ha.
Click to expand...

Well, no need to get defiant on us...

I've used the Q10 for around three years. Had a heck of a time at first with my old Win 98 PC, and they never were very stable together. With XP it's rock solid. I'm now using an MSI mobo with Athlon 2400 and Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 for recording software.
 
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