Rme Digi-decision...???

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PRiZ

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I can't seem to do this on my own.
I'm not quite clear about which card of the Digi series suits me.
They're all the same with suttle differences...
Do these cards not have ad-da converters on them, but with the expandable anaolog I/O's that are optional...this is what I just realized.

I'm stuck, I've got a headache, here's what I want to do.
Have the I/O's to:
- plug in a pair of monitors.
- a turntable
- a keyboard (these cards have no midi)
- a preamp to a mic
- an ad converter (later on option)
Please! help, I'm so bad at this... I'm trying as hard as I can.
All I want to do now is start, I'm not even trying to be picky.
The main reason RME interests me is their good driver support and all the features...

Mayby these arn't the cards I should look into, mayby a delta1010 is the way to go.
Please help me... I'm not going to ask a billion stupid questions, I just want to know if what I'm getting will do what I want.
Thanks...
 
PRiZ said:
I'm not going to ask a billion stupid questions
Click to expand...

Hmmmm....seems to me you've already done that.

I just want to know if what I'm getting will do what I want.
Click to expand...

Dude, seriously, if you can't analyze your own needs and find an appropriate product to address them, I doubt your up to the task of creating and recording decent music. I honestly hope that's not true, but your repeated posts begs the question.

I know how you can get caught up in specs and stuff, but I'm sure if you just take a step back and look at the situation from a new perspective you'll see its a bit simpler than you realize. The fact of the matter is that a lot of products will work for you and utimately what you do with it will greatly outweigh the gear itself with respect to the end product. This is especially true with any of the "prosumer-level" cards.

PRIZ, seriously, right now you have NO soundcard. WTF are you doing? Just get A soundcard. A cheap one, an expensive one, I don't give a fuck!

Any soundcard is infinitely better than none!

Get a $10 one and start dicking around with it. You would be surprised how slight the functional differences are between a $10 yamaha card and a $300 M-Audio. Then, when you can take advantage of what a better card can do and you decide to upgrade you're only out $10 and the shit sound card will still function as a MIDI interface.

I'm stuck, I've got a headache, here's what I want to do.
Have the I/O's to:
- plug in a pair of monitors.
- a turntable
- a keyboard (these cards have no midi)
- a preamp to a mic
- an ad converter (later on option)
Click to expand...

I still say get a 4-in 4-out card. There are a number of them out there that are very good and some are even fairly inexpensive. That will cover all of your I/Os. I've heard it said that the advantage of a dedicated A/D converter is negated somewhat by normal optical and SPDIF inputs, so don't worry about that now.

Here are the cards I recommend:

1. SB Live Value - $40, 4-in 4-out (stereo pairs), great for using soundfonts/samples
2. Turtle Beach Santa Cruz - $70 4-in 4-out, better sound quality than SB Live
3. M-Audio Delta 44 - $230, 4-in 4-out 24-bit, 96k
4. Yamaha DSP Factory - $250 w/ breakout box if you're lucky, 4-in 4-out, 20-bit, onboard effects
5. Aardvark, RME, other Deltas, etc.

GO FORTH AND MAKE YE SOME DAYAMN MUSIC, FOO'
 
Arghhh!

That's what I'm trying to do, I just wanna be sure that I'm getting what I want, didn't come this far to just get anything. Can someone please help me with these questions.

Can anyone pinpoint the RME DIGI CARD and what I/O's I need?

I can't understand the connections... how many I/O's I need, what type of plug, size etc... do monitors plug into the 1/4" size analog inputs? does everything plug into analog inputs...?

also do I need stereo analog In or Out or I/O...? and how do I deal with the midi situation for a keyboard, do i need a soundcard that supports midi, or can I just get a midi interface?

Dolemite I appreciate your help....

Thanks...
 
Have you thought of asking these questions at the store where you will eventually by this stuff........

Yes this place is helpful, for ideas and you can be steered in directions here, But when It comes down to the judges gavel, and you have to choose one to buy,,,, Go to your local, music recording equipment dealer........

The guy, paid and trained to sell the stuff, will surely steer you in the right direction.. (most of the time)

I ask advice here, but when it comes to opening the wallet, I want to make sure that the advice is legit, and for that, I always look to my local dealer....

Joe
 
OK, because you simply cannot or will not figure it out for yourself I am going to babysit you, priz.

Which of the RME DIGI cards are you referring to? I'll take a big shot in the dark and guess it was the card this guy wants to sell you:

Rubo4 said:
PRIZ - I might sell you my RME DIGI 96/8 PST with AEB extensions so you'll have 6 analog I/O. It seems to me that it doesn't work with the new Mac models which I have. My G4/466 works with OS 9.1 operation system. If it won't work with OS 9.0.4 -next week, then I'll have to sell it and by MOTU's stuff which does work with OS 9.1 and Digital Performer. That's if you're interested.

Boris
Click to expand...

OK, that's 4 in 2 out, right? Not too shabby. I'll be damned if I'd settle for 2 out, but it should work for you as long as you don't mind doing a bit of plug-swapping.

- plug in a pair of monitors.
2 outs
- a turntable
2 ins per turntable if you want stereo
- a keyboard (these cards have no midi)
generally 2 ins, but you can get away with 1 if you're short or if the synth has no stereo effects
- a preamp to a mic
1 in, 2 outs for headphone monitoring (actually there are ways of doing this with 1 out with some creative cabling since its mono anyway)
- an ad converter (later on option)
looks like this is possible with the RME wordclock addon card
Click to expand...

OK, so with everything you want plugged in and running you're using 5 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs. Since you'll probably just be tracking one source at a time, 4 inputs should be plenty and as long as you don't mind swapping outputs between headphones and monitors, resetting levels, etc., 2 outputs should work. BTW, you may want to check out Stereophile's review of the Digi96/8 Pro.
 
yo priz,

The RME stuff might be the way to go. I don't know much about it, but the rme cards dont have A/d or D/a converters do they, they dont have midi or that stuff.
This means you will have to spend more cash to put together what you want.

I'm thinking that you should get a delta 1010. Why, it has converters and it has midi.

This is why. The sound quality of the delta 1010 is as good and maybe better than a roland vs1680. Many of the top ten songs in R&B genre on mp3.com were done with a simple vs1680 and a roland xp-80.

So you know that by getting the delta1010, you at least have the quality to match these guys.

Then when you want to step it up(which I doubt, when you hear the delta) you can start adding more expensive mics, preamps, external converters and clock generators.

On ebay, they are going for about $450
 
thanks!

- a keyboard (these cards have no midi)
generally 2 ins, but you can get away with 1 if you're short or if the synth has no stereo effects

Dolemite are you saying you don't need midi to use a keyboard...?

I'm debating these over in my head as hard as I can.

The delta is looking like a good idea though, but at retail 700, I'd most likely go with it for 450 though. If I get this I'm most likely going to get an AD converter in the future and then I need a good wordclock, right? because the difference will be pointless without it...This card does have aes/abu that does pro connection right, but it's done through am S/PDIF cable...does this work as good?

I'm in Canada and am pretty sure they don't even sell most soundcards here, they now sell the Lynx one and I'm strongly thinking of this and just getting everything down to mircophones and not questioning even getting a converter, which I could afford if I went this route, only problem is the 2in's 2' outs, but it's got midi. I'll check out a music store tomoorow and see what's up... Thanks! :)
 
Re: thanks!

PRiZ said:
- a keyboard (these cards have no midi)
generally 2 ins, but you can get away with 1 if you're short or if the synth has no stereo effects

Dolemite are you saying you don't need midi to use a keyboard...?
Click to expand...

No, you still need MIDI to sequence a keyboard or synth modules but I was just talking analog I/Os. But MIDI is not a big deal, a 2 in 2 out USB MIDI interface is about $50 and, like I said before, even a $10 sound card with a joystick MIDI adapter will work as a MIDI interface.

I'm debating these over in my head as hard as I can.

The delta is looking like a good idea though, but at retail 700, I'd most likely go with it for 450 though. If I get this I'm most likely going to get an AD converter in the future and then I need a good wordclock, right? because the difference will be pointless without it...This card does have aes/abu that does pro connection right, but it's done through am S/PDIF cable...does this work as good?

I'm in Canada and am pretty sure they don't even sell most soundcards here, they now sell the Lynx one and I'm strongly thinking of this and just getting everything down to mircophones and not questioning even getting a converter, which I could afford if I went this route, only problem is the 2in's 2' outs, but it's got midi. I'll check out a music store tomoorow and see what's up... Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

Well, yeah, check out the music stores but keep in mind that a lot of those music-store guys will just BS you to get you to buy something. If I were you I would just get a Delta 44 and either an SB Live (for sampling/soundfonts and for the MIDI interface) or a basic dedicated MIDI interface. You get good converters, frequently-updated drivers, 4 in 4 out, and MIDI, all for under $300. Trust me when I say that the money it would take to buy a decent A/D converter would be better spent on other gear or studio time.

Honestly I still feel that you're missing the concept that the very fundamental functions (as well as about 75% of the sound quality) of these $300-500 cards are covered by a $50 SB Live Value. I have heard some very good stuff recorded on those cards. If you got one of these and worked with it for a while you would understand your needs much better and the card would always be useful to you even after you upgraded. With your weak-ass canadian dollar you'll be paying too much anyway...so think about it.
 
Priz...

Priz Priz Priz...
Get the fricking Delta 101 and be done with it. You have made too many decisions to get where you are, when there is but one decision. PLenty ins... plenty outs, decent sound, midi port, word clock inputs... the Delta 1010 will allow you to grow as well as address your current needs.
Ask no more questions and go buy the damn thing. The only other full featured soundcard I would take over the 1010 right now, that i can think of, is the Motu one with 12 inputs and like 120db range. Not ieven sure it has all the options the Delta does, but it would be worth checking out, and its good quality. Might even come with Digital Performer.
Go buy.
Paul
 
hey PriZ,

To make beats, you will need midi in/out. SO that you can do the music in midi, and tweak it to perfection before recording it as audio.

If you have a keyboard with a 16 track sequencer, then you don't need midi. You can do it all on the keyboard and then record it to audio.

As I said, When you hear the delta 1010, you will not be thinking about external converters for a good long while.

A cheaper alternative would be the m-audio omni studio.

It retails for $375 and it has EVERYTHING. including two preamps.
You can't beat that. I am not sure, but I believe that it has 6 ins and outs, which are more than enough.

At this price, you can make some awesome sounding music, and still be able to afford more exotic stuff in the very near future.

I'm about to buy a Lucid genx6 or used aardsync myself. I hear that a great clock will improve my delta 1010 converters.

As if it can be improved by all that much.
 
Whatever you do, check the resale value first (like on Ebay). That way, if you make the wrong decision, you can always sell it and move on.
 
I agree with CJ, the M-Audio Omni Studio would be great, priz. A great soundcard along with an excellent frontend with very good pres, what more could you want? I would definitely take it over a Delta 1010.

Seriously, I wish I had one!
 
Giz...Delta 1010 for about $510.00

Hey Priz check out www.SixteCycle.com
I got my Delta 1010 in the mail yesterday.
for about $510.00 I got the Delta 1010, with Delta Logic (similar if not the same as Micro Logic), Gigasampler LE, and a few other titles.. I think its a great deal..

Oh yeah, Ask for John.. 850-863-4036
Im not connected with him or this company. Im just a satisfied customer.
 
hmmm...

I've come to a conlusion, that it will be the Lynx or RME I'm just looking for prices of the RME.
The Delta would only do me good if I needed 8 channels, because this is what I'm really paying for...and I've heard some not so great sides of it like the converters post. If I get this I'm deffinitely gonna want to get an external converter. and a word clock which will be super good forever, but expensive.
This option is still open if the others don't result as expected.

Does anyone know how many I/O's the Lynx one has...?
I'm thinking if I get this card, the quality is deffinite. I know I wouldn't want or need a converter and I might be able to get everything I need now.

But my first choice right now is the RME because it's the most advanced card. I'm really not sure about what I need exactly.
Can anyone compare these cards converters to the Lynx one,
Is this card better in sound quality...?
I'm still not sure which of the series is best for me.
here's what I need to figure...
This card offers both a 2-channel (SPDIF and AES/EBU) and 8-channel interface (ADAT® optical). So this is basically like the Lynx one, right?
Do I need AES/EBU interface...In and Out...? This is the pro way of transfer right, and can be doen at 96khz...?
Do I need a stereo analog I/O...? Or just an IN or OUT...?
Would you consider this card with the WordClock a pro soundcard?
If anyone has hands on experience with this card or knows it's flaws and quality or anything...please speak out.

about I/O's...If I get the pad for instance, I get two outs on the card right? that means I'll only have to buy the 4 in analog expansion right? and not get a 4 out expansion board? these boards are about 200 each, ouch!

oh yeah, about the midi, I can just get a midi-1 In and 1 out right?
I've seen these external and internal for about 59$ so I assume this will solve my problem?

These are my final solutions I hope...
Any of these answers are of extreme importance to me.
 
How long have you been making music?

Hey Priz
Im just curious about how long youve been making music.. Also what kind of music do you make? What kind of equipment do you use, or will be using?
 
uhhh...

Well seeing that I'm looking for the right equipment right now etc at this moment this is the equipment I think I'll be using. I myself havn't produced at all yet, but am looking forward to it. I'm going to create hiphop muzac, but I've really only had experience writing and emceeing/vocals for only a few years, but a few years dedicated strong, I love it. :) can you answer any of those questies...?
 
Dude....basically everyone here is telling you to get different stuff, so why do you keep asking these questions? If you want us to help you at least show some interest in our suggestions. I would say only a handful of people (if that) around here have either Lynx or RME cards. Guess why that is?

Trust me on this, the Omni Studio will do everything you'll need it to. Its a simple and effective system. The converters are good, and IMHO even the best converters you could buy would only make things sound about 5% better at the most.

What's more important? Getting a reasonably priced and very useable system or getting that 5% increase in sound quality at greater expense and sacrifice of useability?

Go ahead and fuck it up if you want to....
 
123

Dolemite- I agree that theDelta or the Omni Stdio would be good choices for him, but that 5% thing is way off. If you hold that Lucid up against either card, the difference is more along the lines of 50%. It really is. Find someone that carries them, and go do a test. You'll shit. I can't figure out why everyone doesn't just make them sound so good.
But anyway, Priz has no intentions of listening to us anyway. And by the way Priz, d either of those cards you are down to have word clock inputs? If not, then word clock generators will do you no good at all. I know the Delta 1010 has wordclock.
Paul
 
Hey tubedude,

Yeah, I would like to do a real test. From what I've read and based on a couple samples (like from Arny Kreuger's website) the difference seems to be just in the nuances and subtle details rather than anything terribly dramatic, but I'll reserve judgement on that until I can hear a serious test. Is there any way you could compare your Lucid to one of these prosumer cards like the Deltas? I would very much be interested in the results. Anyway, I'm not entirely sure what the subjective difference in quality would be but I still want to emphasize that getting something useable and expandable is probably the best bet for somebody just starting out and working with limited funds, as opposed to something that has superior sound quality but is expensive and inflexible. It seems pretty obvious to me...even the Delta 1010 would be a better bet and would allow for an A/D upgrade with its wordclock capability. But nooooo, that's not good enough for priz....RME and Lynx, RME and Lynx, Lynx and RME, cheese and snausage, goats and midgets, whores and daisies, carpet and weathermen, vests and lightbulbs, cardboard and ceiling tiles, butter and macrame....

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!?!?!?!?!


....not shit if you don't have a soundcard. And you can take that to the bank!
 
you have a good point dole...

I do take these suggestions strongly, I've spent in the last two days and numerous hours reading over and thinking about the Delta 1010 and others... why would the setup I'm looking at fuckup useability???
Yes, I'm sure the Omni is a very good setup, I have nothing against it. I'd just like that extra step up in quality. Right now, I'm not thinking about Lucid converters or 2000$ preamps, but I am thinking about getting something that has better converters than the delta 66, there's still a step to go I think before I reach the 5% drop off the cliff.

I'd like to hear what more people around here think about what your saying..

When I see the Omni it looks like their trying to sell quantity, which is good, I just can't see it being all that, except for it's price.
The value is the best for this setup... I'm not gonna be happy with sub-par sound, or as happy... I've been advised against all in one way back, and agreed.

I think most people here don't have the Lynx or the RME because they arn't doing hiphop in the method I am, and need more I/O's for instruments etc and more technical reasons.

Everytime I go to another message board site, theres some really popular products that everyone's talking about, and almost everyone on the site has one because they've been to the site looking for what they want and got stoked off the hype circulating. Same here... I bet about 80-70 percent here have the same brand of soundcard, because they came here for info.

Thanks for reading, you all have been extremly helpfull.

If anyone can give me any needed info on the RME, please do.

P.S. dole, you get me reconsidering my actions at every turn "Go ahead and fuck it up if you want to...." how am I ever gonna decide with advise like that, I appreciate it, but don't get too frustrated with me when I'm having a hard time choosing. :)
 
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