Technical questions about reading and comparing soundcard specs

[qb2k5]

I know that the higher the "dB" the better the sound quality and atleast 105dB is near semi-pro studio soundquality. But my main question is how do read the quality of the convertors and DSPs in soundcard's specs?


What are DSPs? Does more DSPs mean I can add more effects to 24/96 tracks with less cpu usage and does this qualify with any DAW multitrack software?

Lets compare my Audiophile 24/96 to more expensive soundcards.

Ok, I'm looking right now at MusiciansFriend.com. The product is an EMU 1212m. It says that it can do over "16 simultaneous hardware-accelerated studio-grade effects with no CPU overhead and the plug-in architecture allows you to add new effects as needed".

My question is does my Audiophile have a processing abilities like that? Does the hardware-accerlerated processor allow you to add alot more effects but with less CPU usuage? Meaning lets say I run a session in CubeBase with ten, 24/96 tracks with 3 effects per track. When playing all tracks at once, lets say the cpu usage says 20%. Would this mean with my Audiophile 24/96 that the CPU usuage will be alot higher, lets say 60%?

Reason I'm asking these technical questions is because I really would like to break the ice on this mystery I always had with soundcard specs.

 

[altitude909]

I know that the higher the "dB" the better the sound quality and atleast 105dB is near semi-pro studio soundquality. But my main question is how do read the quality of the convertors and DSPs in soundcard's specs?

Actually, its the lower the better (-105 dB) since it refers to the noise floor of the circuitry. Convertors themselves cannot be really judged, you have to look at the whole picture. Emu uses the same convertors as PT HD, but its how they are implmemnted make the difference between a $100 dollar card and $5000 card but better convertors are always a plus(I guess that is kinda subjective)

What are DSPs?

Digital Signal Processer: Its like having a hardware effects processer built onto the board. This allows the software to use the DSP effects with little or no load on the system CPU. Plugin effects (reverbs in particular) demand a pretty high CPU usage and using a DSP frees the CPU to do other things. The Emu ones are OK and can be real useful if you want to add reverb to some vocals while recording, you will hear it without latency but can replace it with a different reverb later since you are recording dry vocals with a plugin on top, to vocals though an effects processer

does my Audiophile have a processing abilities like that

no

Does the hardware-accerlerated processor allow you to add alot more effects but with less CPU usuage?

Yes, but those effects will be specific to the DSP and you cant use any effect with it, only ones written for it.

There a couple of notable DSP companies out there that sell standalone DSP processers in either PCI or Firewire version (TC Electronics Powercore, UAD, and Creamware) TC electronics has the added feature of also doing DSP instruments (they have a SH-101 and Virus, plus some others) while UAD is known for their dynamics processers. Creamware is the advanced one that pretty much does everything but costs a pretty penny

 

[qb2k5]

Thanks, but a few more questions.

Actually, its the lower the better (-105 dB) since it refers to the noise floor of the circuitry. Convertors themselves cannot be really judged, you have to look at the whole picture. Emu uses the same convertors as PT HD, but its how they are implmemnted make the difference between a $100 dollar card and $5000 card but better convertors are always a plus(I guess that is kinda subjective)

Thanks for your detailed reply!

Are the convertors in the Delta Series (Delta 24/96,44,66,196,1010) good or pro-quality?

A curious question I have: Does my Audiophile 24/96 souncard have superior or comparable sound quality than late 80s recording HD?

Digital Signal Processer: Its like having a hardware effects processer built onto the board. This allows the software to use the DSP effects with little or no load on the system CPU. Plugin effects (reverbs in particular) demand a pretty high CPU usage and using a DSP frees the CPU to do other things. The Emu ones are OK and can be real useful if you want to add reverb to some vocals while recording, you will hear it without latency but can replace it with a different reverb later since you are recording dry vocals with a plugin on top, to vocals though an effects processer

Aaaa haa. So this is why official ProTools hardware and software can do numerous of effects without killing the cpu. So basically a basic DSP processor is only efficient with its own effects specifically written for it.

So these are the same effects that you would use when adding an effect to a track, right? Are they VST, DX, or custom effects?

Yes, but those effects will be specific to the DSP and you cant use any effect with it, only ones written for it.

There a couple of notable DSP companies out there that sell standalone DSP processers in either PCI or Firewire version (TC Electronics Powercore, UAD, and Creamware) TC electronics has the added feature of also doing DSP instruments (they have a SH-101 and Virus, plus some others) while UAD is known for their dynamics processers. Creamware is the advanced one that pretty much does everything but costs a pretty penny

Your right, they are pretty expensive. So the best bargin would be going either with a pro-tools hw or a pci card like the EMU series that comes with a DSP processor.

Few more questions:

1. What are the pros and cons between a PCI soundcard, USB 2.0, and Firewire soundcard? Like which is the best and worst?

Reason I ask is because I know PCIe will be taking over in a few years, and I find it a waiste to invest in $700+ on a PCI card if the architecture will be phased out in a few years. I also see that most highend external Pro-Tools equipment are only Firewire.

2. So the higher the Dynamic range the better?

Thanks

 

[altitude909]

Are the convertors in the Delta Series (Delta 24/96,44,66,196,1010) good or pro-quality?

I would say prosumer (pretty darn good). You can definitley get very good recordings. Compared to tape in the 80's? Well, when you get to the hard numbers, I doubt anything has they range or accuracy of tape but you can very good results with a modern digital recording stuff that is presentable and pro sounding providing you have a good signal chain.

So this is why official ProTools hardware and software can do numerous of effects without killing the cpu.

U bet. The core and older farm cards are what make protools the standard it is today. The none PT DSP plugins usually come in multiple formats so you can use them with whatever DAW you have. PT HD Core cards start at about $4k for just the card (you will also need the $2-3K interface) so unless you have a studio to use it in that makes you money, its usually not in the realm of home recording and is far from economical. It is also noteworthy that all the LE interfaces DO NOT have any of the cool DSP stuff as the HD does.

That being said, all the other DSPs (TC, UAD, Creamware) have models for about $400 which are quite capable and are used by everyone. The EMU dsp effects are not jaw dropping but can be pretty usefull for alot of things so if I had to choose between an Audiophile and a Emu card, I would go with the later (and I have used both) I will warn you that the Emu patchmix software has a pretty steep learning curve so expect to be doing some reading

1. What are the pros and cons between a PCI soundcard, USB 2.0, and Firewire soundcard? Like which is the best and worst?

PCI will be around for a couple of years since it still is faster than PCI and USB and the huge amount of hardware in use based on PCI will mean that it will be on PC mainboard s for a while. PCIe has not really caught on at all beyond Video cards and other than Digi, no one makes or has plans to make any kind of audio hardware for it at this time. There is already a PCIe v2 proposal out so it may skip a generation before any audio hardware comes out for it. For Firewire and USB, they are both capable systems but you have to look at each brand/model separately since there is no general rule with them other than firewire devices do better with recording mutiple tracks.

2. So the higher the Dynamic range the better?

Well, thats a pretty contested question, Why HD? (meaning 24bit/192 kHz) but I would say not really yet. For now, stick to 24/96 or 48

 

[Ford Van]

I know that the higher the "dB" the better the sound quality and atleast 105dB is near semi-pro studio soundquality. But my main question is how do read the quality of the convertors and DSPs in soundcard's specs?

In digital, full volume in "dB" specs is 0dBdfs (0 decibel digital full scale). So, 0 is "full scale), or max volume.

All specs on converters work with negative numbers. So, technically, -105dBdfs is "higher" than -120dBdfs. In relation to the noise floor, lower is better for sure, but, there comes a point where you have to factor in other parts of the design of the converter. Certainly there are converters out there that are much better quality than the emu/m-audio stuff but the specs don't make it appear that they are.

Also, don't fall for the "the same converters that ProTools uses" bit. They most likely mean that they use the same chipset in the converter. While there are certainly some differences in how chipsets sound in converters, it is again only a small contributer to the overall quality of a converter.

Another word about specs. Not all specs are "real world" specs. Some specs listed are "best case scenario" specs, but don't represent real world usage.

Don't sweat converter specs too much! To my ears, the converters on the Delta 1010 card using it's own word clock sound pretty poor! Clock those same converters with a Lucid GenX clock and they all of a sudden sound pretty damn good! Apogee good? No. But, better than with their internal clock at least.

 

[qb2k5]

Thanks guys for your contribution. Never knew any of this stuff. Especially what a DSP is. I love learning DIU stuff. I learned a hell of alot of info today!!!


Thanks again for taking your time out feeding me your knowledge!