USB 4 track soundcard recommendations?

[patte]

Hello,

I need a 4 track usb soundcard for my 1 GHz XP laptop laptop, and need to be able to play guitar with vsti plugin (voxengo) audible in cubase LE. I understood that this requires less than 6 ms latency.

Could some body give recommendition on sound card? USB is my only option.

- patte

 

[scrubs]

Do you need mic preamps on all 4 channels? I don't think USB could supply +48V phantom power to 4 mics, so it would have to be a unit that plugs into an outlet. Unfortunately, very few of the USB interfaces have more than 2 simultaneous XLR inputs. My understanding is that this is due to limitations of the USB bus -- i.e. it becomes less stable when handling more than a couple of channels of audio simultaneously. I could be wrong, but that's what I've heard. Anyway, the main multi-input USB card that I know of is the Lexicon Omega, which has 2 mic preamps, and a few line-ins. I think one of the Line-6 Toneport models has two instrument ins and two XLR mic inputs. I have no direct experience with either of these units, but they appear to be among your only options.

 

[sixways]

Just curious...why is USB your only option?

PCI slots not available?

6

 

[scrubs]

Just curious...why is USB your only option?

PCI slots not available?

6

not generally on a laptop.

however, if there is a PCMCIA slot, you can add a PCMCIA soundcard or a Firewire input.

 

[patte]

Hi,

The only option is USB, since my Cardbus is occupied, and there is no Firewire.
Is it the laptop, the USB or the four channels which dont work?

 

[sixways]

Sorry, I didn't see the laptop part. I'll take the dumas award for that one.

The 6ms delay thing isn't too much of a big deal, I often work at 13ms and its really inaudible.

Hmmm...USB for guitar...lets see...I would go with the M_Audio Fast Track Pro. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=241710 $50 dollars cheaper at www.sweetwater.com with free shipping.


Its got:

insert jack (¼” TRS) for outboard processors


2 balanced outputs (¼” TRS)


4 unbalanced outputs (RCA)


S/PDIF digital I/O with w/ 2-channel PCM


S/PDIF out also supports pass-through of AC-3/DTS surround-encoded content


1 x 1 MIDI I/O with activity LEDs


headphone output (¼” TRS) with level control


headphone A/B source switch for DJ-style cueing


input/playback mix control for hardware direct monitoring


mono switch for input/playback direct monitoring


master output level control


near zero-latency hardware direct monitoring


low-latency ASIO software monitoring


USB connection to computer


powered via USB or optional AC power adapter


Kensington lock port


Mac and PC compatible; class compliant with Mac OS X 10.3.9 and higher

If your PC is up to speed on the system requirements, I'd go with that.

If not, maybe the Mobile-Pre by M-Audio.

6

 

[patte]

Thanks, M-Audio Fast Track Pro

Ok, M-Audio Fast Track Pro 13 ms latency is ok för guitar - USB -- vst host (vst)-------- USB monitors. Somebody here said the 13 foot from me, which is ok, when play realty.

So M-audio is the best.

Thanks

- patrik