Can anyone recommend a sound card?

[BillyD1953]

I'm planning to build a new computer dedicated to music production. Specifically, I'm tailoring it for my QL Pianos. I've had good luck with my cheap little SoundBlaster Audigy II sound card, but I was wondering if maybe I should upgrade to a more pro-level card as long as I have the chance. Can anyone advise me on this? What would be a good card for my purpose, which is primarily to stream virtual instrument samples: QL Pianos, Kontakt 3, and Native Instruments Akoustik Piano. I'm going to be using a 64-bit OS, either Vista or XP Pro.

Thanks for any input you can provide me.

[paulifra]

RME Fireface 800

[Vincent Bergbahn]

prosonus firebox or better models. I use the firebox love it

[isle3]

RME

[LTMUSIC]

I thing that only RME or LYNX SUPPORT DRIVERS FOR 64 bit systems.
A good choice could also be the TC STUDIOKONNEKT 48(check the flash presentation on their site) but not for 64bit systems.

[lumcas]

I think only MOTU SUPPORT DRIVERS FOR 64 bit systems:)

And many other brands...

[paulifra]

Motu is primairy for mac systems, windows drivers sucks always

[LEX]

Motu is primairy for mac systems, windows drivers sucks always

I have the 424 with 4 2408 Mk3 I/O recording 80 tracks at a time without issue.

Motu can be more touchy than some others, but working fine on PC here.

LEX

[joenovice]

I just got a RME HDSP9632. It's solid and good drivers. I had bad luck with Emu 1616m PCI.

[paulifra]

An individual good experience with motu drivers on pc system, is not a prove off quality.

If you look at different motu test on the web, everybody can read that if there are problems it is always on the pc platform. Look at the different motu tests on the web.

In practice some problems are solved but only with experienced pc people knowing what to do with their system and motu driver installation.

Problem descriptions can be found on soundonsound, cakewalk forum, audio forum and so on.

One of the first rules for motu is a fw card with TI or Lucent chip, if not then mostly problems.

Motu problems mostly are system specific and they even advise to removen sp2 of you are on xp.

I did never heard of any other organisation that will advise to remove sp2

[A.Leung]

I have the 424 with 4 2408 Mk3 I/O recording 80 tracks at a time without issue.

Motu can be more touchy than some others, but working fine on PC here.

LEX

same setup here at our studio but on Macs and pcs.

[Kaatza_Music]

I have the 424 with 4 2408 Mk3 I/O recording 80 tracks at a time without issue.

Motu can be more touchy than some others, but working fine on PC here.

LEX

I have the same only with 1 - 2408 MK3. It has worked pretty much flawlessly. I haven't had any problems with latency. I get the occasional click or pop, but only when I am overloading my modest setup.

I picked this interface because my DA-88 plugs right in, but I can't say that I use it much anymore.

[Aetius33]

MOTU Ultralight

OR

MOTU 8pre


Are they any good for recording guitar/vocals and using with EWQL samples?

DW

[TheAlps]

I used a 2408 MKIII on a PC for a few years, never once had a problem with it. Now I have 2 2408s on my mac pro and they connect to PCs with RME hdsp 9652s

I think you cant go wrong with
RME
Motu
Digidesign
anything from those 3 companies that fits your budget

[LTMUSIC]

Does anyone knows if the motu 2408 Mk3 works under cubase and vista or xp 64?

[LEX]

An individual good experience with motu drivers on pc system, is not a prove off quality.

If you look at different motu test on the web, everybody can read that if there are problems it is always on the pc platform. Look at the different motu tests on the web.

In practice some problems are solved but only with experienced pc people knowing what to do with their system and motu driver installation.

Problem descriptions can be found on soundonsound, cakewalk forum, audio forum and so on.

One of the first rules for motu is a fw card with TI or Lucent chip, if not then mostly problems.

Motu problems mostly are system specific and they even advise to removen sp2 of you are on xp.

I did never heard of any other organisation that will advise to remove sp2

You are right that there were alot of problems with MOTU and PC. Alot of times it is the user not paying attention to IRQ issues, TI firewire chips ect.

I have 4 RME 9652 cards as well and they were my primary sound cards until I needed to expand my I/O setup to accommodate my setup.

Now I had the 324 card and the 2408 mkii prior and had issues with it. Then during the Blofeld's Testing (goto the dawbench.com forum for more info) I discovered the MOTU drivers and my old 324 card performed better than the RME and was more consistent.

I use the ADAT LP only, and needed 96 channels for the slaves and ADA's and AES converters.

I have SP2 installed, and the 424 PCIX card is slot 2, followed by 3 UAD1's in 3,4 and 5 with a FW card in Slot 1.

Now, I still use the XP driver before they released the Vista/XP driver.

From the price point, MOTU vs RME (96 I/O), MOTU saved me about $6000.

With RME, I needed 2 MADI cards, 2 MADI to ADAT converters, and a Magma chassis.

To date, I have had little issue. I use a Lucid GENX 192 for my master clock, and I my RME ADAT to AES converter for my output to the Central Station.

Seems like there are quite a few others without issue as well.

Plus, should I decide to go MAC pro, the upgrade to a PCI-e Motu is $300 bucks.

If it doesn't work for you, return it.

LEX

[dexterwheeler]

what would be a good soundcard for a mac pro? I only need it to use midi keyboard and record guitar. later I will also need to be able to hook up a slave so I need the unit to have the inputs that are needed.

[A.Leung]

How much do you want to spend?

How MANY inputs, etc...

[dexterwheeler]

Well I figure if Im gonna invest money in the software and computer gear why cheap out on the soundcard. I need it to have inputs for 1 guitar and be able to connect to a Pc slave in the future. And I need it to be 64 bit compatible.

[A.Leung]

yes but...prices ARE an option. CArds go from $100.00 - $2,000.00

[dexterwheeler]

I was hoping to stay around 1000 at the most but if I could go cheaper than I will. Mind you Im just doing this for fun not getting paid but hope to someday. What would you recommend knowing I'm a begininer but need to have 64 bit and guitar input.

[A.Leung]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MOTU-2408mk3-PCI-CardRackmount-System?sku=706424

comes with the 424 card. Lots of room for expansion.

[mullet]

I have a Motu Traveler. couldn't be happier.