M Audio - Internal or USB?

  • Thread starter Thread starter VSpaceBoy
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VSpaceBoy

VSpaceBoy

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Hey all,

I'm in the market for a new sound card and I've noticed some changes since I've bought my last. USB sound has really come a long way, and now I'm second guessing my choice.
I decided that the Audiophile 2496 was going to be the choice for me. Having nothing to do with the price, <even though it is the cheapest> I figured that the quality and rates are the same as the higher ends, the main pricing difference is in the amount of connectors. <am I right?>. THEN I've noticed the USB version the Audiosport DUO or Quatro <same price, whats the difference?>. Now I know that card to USB has different inputs that I agree would be more useful, but all things considered are they equal??

With my main background being in computer hardware I know that USB has a much slower transfer rate than a PCI card, yet the USB boasts a Zero latency as to the .01 ms of the Audiophile!?

My question is, does either hold any advantage?

Thx for the Help!!

Space
 
go with a pci card if you can...usb is still more for laptops and portable systems.
 
Several music stores in my area keep telling me they don't trust USB... I'm quite happy with the PCI system, so why change a winning team.
 
I agree...

USB has a 11Mbits transfer rate MAX.

BTW -- Zero latency is a fantasy. The time required for the ADC (analogue Digital Converter) as well as the processing the data into USB framed data is not Zero! I'll admint that MAudio are clever sods, but i wouldn't trust them THAT much!

What I DO like about the USB solutions they have, is that you may not HAVE to get a mixer straight away. If memory server right the USB solution is a plug and play. You can plug your guitar straight in, or your microphone or your synth.

As for quality of sound. I think they both have the same converters on board. So that shouldn't be a problem.

thats my couple of cents..

R
 
Thanks for the help!

I think that I will stick with the PCI Card then.

I do agree that it comes with the mixer which I do need, but if I save 60 or 70 bux going with the card, then I could pick up the beringer little 4 channel mixer for like 75, and it has more.

Thanks again guys, you've made it decisive!!
 
I have an AudioSport Duo and it is fantastic for the money. I have to admit that I heven't even used it in USB mode though. I use the SPDIF out and have used it as a mic preamp and it sounds really good. Listen to a couple samples:

This guitar was recorded with an sm58 going through the DUO, then into my SBLIVE via the SPDIF in. Vocals were also recorded through the DUO (vocals are a bit processed). This guitar has no EQ or anything done to it (the flanger was a pedal). It has been doubled and one is offset by approximately 20 ms. Listen to its fat sound.



I like the DUO because it is versatile. It can be a mic preamp, a standalone digital converter, or a USB recording device. Take your pick. Unfortunately it is only 2 tracks, but in my opinion works great. Compared to the Audiophile, it will not give you SPDIF out. If you don't have and/or don't plan on purchasing a mixer, then I would suggest the DUO, otherwise I would suggest one of the other PCI options.

Beezoboy
 
Rochey said:
BTW -- Zero latency is a fantasy. The time required for the ADC (analogue Digital Converter) as well as the processing the data into USB framed data is not Zero! I'll admint that MAudio are clever sods, but i wouldn't trust them THAT much!
Click to expand...

I thought that the "zero latency" that the USB devices refer to is because your input can be monitored directly through the headphone/speaker jacks on the USB device itself as it's going into your system.

In other words, your input doesn't get converted to digital, porcessed into USB framed data and then spit back out to you, you hear yourself "live".

I could be completely 100% mistaken, but that was the impression that I got.
 
True,

That is one definition....

But in that case, all they did was take your input and feed it to the headphones as well....

My definition of Low latency is doing the processing and spitting it back at you. Low latency is about getting the music out of your PC and playing along with it in real time - without hearing an audible delay between the music and what your playing.

It's hard enough for manufacturers to get a 2ms latency, never mind a zero latency.

Midiman obviously have a good marketing team! They have realised that latency is a major selling point, and that by twisting the obvious truth a little bit, they have managed to convince people that there is such a thing as zero latency.

Don't get me wrong, I own a Delta 1010 myself. They are good devices, but at the end of the day, I know that if i want to hear what i'm recording, I know that all thats going on inside the box is that a software driven analogue multiplexor is piping the input to an output, without the signal even going to the ADC.

It's marketing BS.



R
 
Beezoboy: if you want to keep loving your M-Audio Duo, then don't use it in USB mode. then again, I'm using WDM/MME drivers not ASIO so that might be the problem.

i agree that the mic-pre on the Duo is pretty good, but i have not had consistent results with the Duo in 16bit/48khz, and can not get it to work at all in 24bit mode using USB.

I just bought the Tascam US-428 and am going to use the S/PDIF out of the Duo into the Tascam unit.
 
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