Which Sound Card or Audio Interface is Best?

  • Thread starter Thread starter timandjes
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timandjes

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I'm considering upgrading my soundblaster card to one of the following:

1. Audiophile 2496 sound card (comes w/Cakewalk Express)

2. Tascam US-224 audio interface (comes w/a special version of Steinberg Cubasis recording/MIDI software)

3. Roland U-8 audio interface (comes w/Cakewalk Home Studio customized for the U-8)

I was told by a musical equipment store employee that the Tascam US-224 would have the same quality of sound capabilities as the Audiophile card but with the added convenience of USB connectivity and physical sliders and faders. (Anybody agree with that?)

A USB connection is appealing to me because it would be a lot easier to move it from computer to computer versus installing the Audiophile card inside a PC.

Also, I'm looking at the Roland U-8. It looks to me like pretty much the same thing as the Tascam US-224 but a different brand with a few more features.

Anyone using any of these and/or have any suggestions on which would be the best?
 
USB really isn't the best choice, because of the bandwidth limitations. You can only get 2 tracks max at a time out of it. I've heard some really nightmare-ish stories about the U8, I'd scratch that off your list right away.

The Audiophile is a great card, the Omni Studio with mic pre's and a Delta 66 card, even better.

I'd stick to the PCI route, whatever that may be for you.
 
PCI is the way to go if mobility isn't an issue...If it is , USB is usable.....USB 2.0 is faster , but so is Firewire...Currently, though there are no USB 2.0 audio interfaces available..and Motu ($$$) is the only Firewire interface i know of at this time.

Also RME makes a PCMCIA interface, but I haven't used it...I believe that Event also has a PCMCIA interface, ...this might not be a bad way to go.
 
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