PCI card question

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xdannyx_

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hey im new to this site and am working on improving my recording set up

i have:

Compaq Presario SR1520NX Desktop

2.4 Ghz AMD processor (upgraded)

Behringer 802 mixer

Studio Projects B-1 mic

FMR RNC Compressor Unit

i use adobe audition 2 and Audacity 1.7
for recording

---+ the Audio is integrated AC97 audio with 1/8" input

i am looking for an upgrade PCI card.

something with a clearer input (so i dont have to use 1/8 to 1/4 adapters) and maybe some better quality sound

i need a cheap pci card that has zero latency

i read that the
M-Audio Audiophile 2496
claims zero latency but actually suffers pretty bad from latency


is this reasonable to upgrade or will there not even be much of a difference?

thanks,

Danny
 
I think you are wise to consider upgrading from AC97.

The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 is intended for recording, and should work okay.

If some are experiencing latency problems, it's likely not to be the card itself, but elsewhere in the system (for example, the AC97 should be disabled in the BIOS and not used at all).

I'm not sure about the 2496 and Vista . . . you need to check whether drivers are available if you are using Vista. You also need to check that your motherboard will acept the card okay (it should).
 
cool, ill see if i can get one used. i see them on craigslist for 40-60
im using XP so i think it should be ok.

thanks for the help!

any opinion on the E-MU 0404?

danny
 
The reply I would give for the 404 is the same as the 2496; i.e. they are both intended for recording, and both should work okay.

Some people have problems with them, others don't. In most cases, problems narrow down to incompatible systems, incorrect installation or ineffective use.

However, I have no direct experience with either, so someone else needs to jump in here.
 
lol as always i have to yet again recommend the emu cards. the emu cards come with what they call dsp patchmix software which is basically asio and what that means is that it comes with virtual effects such as chorus, reverb, delay and all kinds of other crazy effects that are powered by a chip in the card itself rather than your cpu which leaves more cpu to be applied towards whatever else it is that your doing.

you could either go for the emu 0404 which was my first card which records in 24bit/192khz which is very good quality, or you could go with the m-audio 2496 which records in 24bit/96khz and uses RCA jacks as inputs which can be quite inconvenient especially since your using the behringer 802 mixer which uses 1/4 inch outs.

and again i highly recommend emu products to anyone whos recording, i just think that for the money their far superior to other products in its category unless your using protools which then you HAVE to have an m audio interface or else protools wont open (which have always thought was crap).

sorry for sounding like such a salesman for emu stuff lol :p
and as always i hope ive been at least a little bit of help.
 
you have been very helpful, thanks.

is there a quality difference in the recording with using RCA or 1/4" inputs?

the behringer 802 does have RCA tape out, so i think that would work.

i dont think i will really be using any effects either.

is EMU still a better card if not considering effects?

all i am really looking for is better quality sound, while being able to monitor real time while recording. my current AC97 monitors directly with no problems. but the quality isnt great.

monitoring through software is not an option for me. my computer cannot do it at all close to real time.

thanks for the help
 
actually no, there is hardly a difference in RCA and 1/4 cables other than the fact that the tips are shaped differently, i didnt even notice that your mixer had rca outs, so if you choose to go with the m audio you shouldnt have any hassle.

i still recommend the emu over the m audio, not cause of the pretty effects or the inputs or any of that but for the fact that it records in 24bit/192khz rather than the m audio's 24bit/96khz.

but again like its been said hundreds of times, dont let anyone else decide whats best for you. only you know what is best for you, so if you prefer the m audio with the RCA ins and outs than thats what you should go with.
 
i think i may go with the M-Audio Delta 44 or 66.

have found pretty cheap ones on craigslist. and i like the external i/o box

anyone know of any pig problems with these?

thanks
 
I have to agree with KingofPain. I have been using an E-Mu 1616 for three years and love it. They seem to me to be more flexible than many of the other manufacturers interfaces. They work with virtually any Win- based DAW out there and although there is some latency, like King said you have the PatchMix to work with which allows you to monitor your signal before it goes the the DAW. You can even monitor with effects and have the dry signal sent to your recording software.

Good Luck!
 
Kingofpain678 said:
actually no, there is hardly a difference in RCA and 1/4 cables other than the fact that the tips are shaped differently, i didnt even notice that your mixer had rca outs, so if you choose to go with the m audio you shouldnt have any hassle.

i still recommend the emu over the m audio, not cause of the pretty effects or the inputs or any of that but for the fact that it records in 24bit/192khz rather than the m audio's 24bit/96khz.
Click to expand...

As kingofpain says . . . there's no electronic difference between RCA and 1/4. It is a mechanical difference.

If xdannyx is upgrading from AC97 to something more suitable for recording, it suggests that he (I assume) is relatively close to the beginning of his recording adventures. If that is the case, the difference between 96 and 192 is the least of hs concerns.
 
i am relatively new to recording.

i got the m-audio delta 44 for $70

i really like the external box ins/outs
with the limited space i have i dont want to be digging back to hook things up. and its got 4 i/o so when i need to start micing drums (even through only 4 is a bit lacking) i will be able to. and for double micing the acoustic.

hopefully that was a good deal. i see them sold occasionally for around that price so if it doesnt work out for me i probably wont lose any money.
 
Finally got around to setting everything up.

Delta 44 sound card.

within 10-15 minutes of trying it out, a loud pop from my PC.
and the power source light no longer lit up when plugged in.

checked and my power source says 218watt max output.
which is pretty minimal. normal low end PC's go around 250w

ive heard of video cards demanding too much and blowing power sources, so im assuming this audio card pulled the same trick.

tired of trying to make this PC something it's not.
i think ill save for a used better one, rather than spend 80 on a new power supply. ive been told an occurrence like that can also burn your hard drive, and motherboard.....

any opinions on that? (burning the motherboard etc._)
 
$.02...

while a surge from the supply before it blows could cause havoc... in my experience it rarely does... so the likelyhood is that a new power unit would have you up and running again... and if you go to newegg it can be pretty cheap as well... unless you want to drop some serious change on a new puter... i'ld keep this for now... maybe upgrade things like ram ... and get used to doing this while you plan a new beast around what you want it to do...
 
Kingofpain678 said:
actually no, there is hardly a difference in RCA and 1/4 cables other than the fact that the tips are shaped differently
Click to expand...

I know this is a few weeks old, but I have to point out that there is a potentially big difference between the two in the sense that connections with RCA cables can only be unbalanced and are considered a 'consumer' standard, whereas 1/4" jacks on gear aimed at recording are more-often-than-not able to provide balanced connections with TRS jack cables. I tend to try and steer clear of RCA cables. Balanced XLR and TRS is always preferable!


As for the power supply issue, I'm sorry to hear your attempts at recording aren't going too well! Hopefully nothing was fried by a surge though and you should be up and running again with a new PSU :)
 
xdannyx_ said:
i think ill save for a used better one, rather than spend 80 on a new power supply. ive been told an occurrence like that can also burn your hard drive, and motherboard.....

any opinions on that? (burning the motherboard etc._)
Click to expand...


Yes, unfortunately, my experience has been different from DementedChord's. A year ago, I bought a new power supply because it was much quieter. As soon as I turned it on, sparks and pops. I put the old one back in and the motherboard, cpu etc, was okay. I took the new PS back to the store, they gladly replaced it, both them and I thinking it was a one-off manufacturing defect. Nope. I took the new PS home, same thing. Pops and sparks. This time it took out my mobo, cpu, ram and video card.

I took everything in, they refunded my money for the PS and replaced all the damaged components with upgraded stuff. Heh, my computer was so old, they had no choice but to upgrade.

218 watts is not a lot of juice for anything. Saving your money and investing in the right gear is a good choice. The good news is, Audio doesn't require high-end computer power to be productive. So you don't have to spend a lot to get what you need. I'll second the Newegg recommendation. Great deals.
 
Chili said:
Yes, unfortunately, my experience has been different from DementedChord's. A year ago, I bought a new power supply because it was much quieter.
Click to expand...


there ya go... everybodies experience is different... one of these days i'll stop making sweeping general statements... yeah right...
 
I would recommend building a new computer, honestly any power supply under 500+watt would be working at nearly max load most of the time considering the power consumption of today's processors, motherboards, video cards. Some major computer manufacturers have unfortunately designed many of their computer with proprietary parts that are designed to fit their case designs. Which makes buying an off the self power supply difficult or sometimes impossible without modifying the case unless you purchase the part from the manufacture, which would in most cases will cost more. If audio is your priority than you can build a very nice computer with Quad core processor for under $450, after shipping and all, that should keep up with your recording needs. You could get some prebuilt bundles for slightly more but I personally stay away from name brand computers, unless you require the service warranties. I have been building my own computers for about 8 years and now run a small computer shop. If your good with your hands, building computers is quite easy and can save you lots of money. If you decide to go that route I could help you along the way.
 
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