Good sound card for music production etc....

R.O.S.S.I · 18 Dec 2008 at 11:01

Hi all, been using Ableton and Acid Pro for a while and have come to the conclusion that my on board sound is pretty garbage when it comes to audio processing etc.

Can anyone recommend any good sound cards that will serve me well in my production endevours? My speakers are digital coax aswell, don't know if that changes anything!

Any help appreciated!

jbloggs · 18 Dec 2008 at 12:21

I would start by looking at some of the PCI/USB soundcards from EMU or M-Audio...

Cheapest would be either EMU 0404 or M-Audio Audiophile 24/96.

EverybodyelsE · 18 Dec 2008 at 14:28

I use the EMU 1616m and it sounds fantastic. It uses the same D/A converters as the flagship Pro Tools HD systems and has an external MicroDock M box with more connections that you might need! If you want the same quality for less go with the 1212m. It's essentially the same card without the MicroDock M box, which is what I had before upgrading.

Maccy · 18 Dec 2008 at 21:01

If you're going external then forget USB - you'll want a Firewire device for a constant to and from signal, USB can only do one at a time.

simisker · 18 Dec 2008 at 23:40

I know I keep banging on about it every time someone asks about music-production soundboxes, but you should definitely look at one of the Focusrite Saffire range [Firewire only, I believe].

Not only do you get some really good quality preamps and routing options, but some of the range also have decent Focusrite reverbs, EQ and compressors as hardware-accelerated VST plugins [i.e. no CPU overheads, and no latency]. It works like a charm with Ableton, too.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not touting it as pro-studio level - though it's through my experiences with their pro gear that I bought a Saffire - but then I suspect neither is the budget

Worth considering, anyway.

Sweetloaf · 21 Dec 2008 at 11:32

Another EMU 1616 User here, PCI version, it's an incredible card/box for the cash.

EverybodyelsE · 21 Dec 2008 at 14:43

Sweetloaf said:
Another EMU 1616 User here, PCI version, it's an incredible card/box for the cash.

For the OP - There are two versions of this interface. The EMU 1616 and EMU 1616m. If you need broadcast quality go for the M version that has the mastering quality converters.

Sweetloaf · 21 Dec 2008 at 15:07

EverybodyelsE said:
For the OP - There are two versions of this interface. The EMU 1616 and EMU 1616m. If you need broadcast quality go for the M version that has the mastering quality converters.

Agreed, however it's usually a fair bit more expensive and I don't think anyone could tell the difference in a bedroom setup, you'd be better of spending the £80(approx) difference on a better mic or speakers/headphones In my opinion but that's a little off the point anyway

Both 1616 and 1616m have optical and coaxial outs for your speakers.

depending on your budget, you''l also find that an EMU 0404 does a good job, although personally I'd recommend something with a breakout box.