Soundcard or Breakout box ?

[mark73]

Hey,
Im currently searching for either a PCI card or firewire unit for multitrack recording with a minimum of 8ins.
From browsing i have found that as an example i could get an M Audio 1010 PCI Sound card for roughly 100GBP cheaper when new or even more secondhand for the same thing but as a rackmount unit. Obviously the rackmount unit is better because you can connect it easier etc but would the sound card do exactly the same job ?
Also does anyone on here use the soundcard and is it any good ?
Cheers
Mark

 

[altitude909]

the 1010 is a rackmount

I assume you are talking about the LT.

Both PCI and Firewire devices are well established and do the same job. Where they will differ is features and quality of converters

 

[mark73]

Yes, sorry i meant the LT.
So is the card going to be worse quality by much ?

 

[Robert D]

M-Audio does a great job of making quality affordable gear. Having said that, they pushed the envelope pretty far on the 1010LT, and made some audible compromises, one of which is less than bullet proof EMI noise immunity. Some have been pretty happy with it, some have not. I would say it's worth a try as long as you can return it if not happy. If you do, don't open the driver disk, that usually voids any return policy. You can download the drivers from the M-Audio website instead, and at the same time you'll know you got the latest.

 

[rayc]

I use an old INCA 8I/O soundcard that also has a breakout box. The card is in the comp & the box with 16 jack sockets sits on the desk though it'd probably do a 1/3rd rack space. Very nice combo as two of the 8 Ins have phantom power & preamp & two of the Out will provide a stereo signal for headphones so I can get away without a h/phone amp with 2 sep sets from the break out box.

 

[mark73]

Thats sounds ideal mate, can you still get them and what sort of money if you dont mind me asking ?

 

[rayc]

I bought it new on Ebay for a little over AUS$100 about two years ago. Do a search!