Getting Started with M-Audio Soundcard?
Home > Home Recording Forum > Recording Techniques > Getting Started with M-Audio Soundcard?
Posted on Jun 20, 2003 12:19 am
Bob
Member Since: Jun 20, 2003
Hi great site. I'm just getting started with home recording. I've got a couple of amateur bands I've recorded (my own band & my daughter's band), using Cakewalk Music Creator 2002. I play keyboards and do some midi recording, but mostly digital audio. I've currently got an SB Live Sound Card and I am coming up against its limitations. I see that this group whole-heartedly recommends M-Audio products, so I'm considering either a Delta 44 or Audiophile 2496. I also see from other postings that it would be a good idea to keep my SB Live card installed for general purpose PC sound (am I right there?).
Considering that I will have the SB Live for Midi, is there any advantage of the Audiophile over the Delta 44 (other than price)? I think I may eventually have a use for the extra channels on the Delta 44, so it may be worth the extra $100.
Also, I am becoming convinced that I should probably upgrade from Cakewalk Music Creator 2002 to SONAR or maybe Home Studio 2004. Any recommendations on what is the best recording S/W? I probably could get by with support for only 2 channel recording at a time, but I think I will need ASIO driver support (definitely don't have that now with my SB Live).
And here's one more question: My mixer is a Behringer MXB1002. I bought this about a year ago before I knew I was going to be doing recording. I'm not sure if this is the best unit for my needs now. When doing multi-tracking, recording a new track while monitoring a previously recorded track, if I run my soundcard outputs to my mixer, and I want to listen on headphones, the headphones come off the main output (stereo) bus. There is a mono monitor bus, but this has limitations (mono). Also I'm not sure if the MXB1002 has as good SNR as I'll need. Any recommendations? Should I be looking at a new mixer? (this could get expensive).
Would appreciate any advice - Bob
[ Back to Top ]
Jun 20, 2003 05:37 am Well, first let me say welcome to HRC.
Second let me say it is quite obvious you have done your homework :-)
Yes, many keep the SB type of card for stand sounds from the PC. Personally, I run my Audiophile, and only the Audiophile. If I was a gamer I might run another card, but I'm not. In regards to the 2496 vs. 44 question, the 2496 also has S/PDIF ins and out (for things like DAT machines). But both cards actually run with the exact same drivers and have very similar performance.
ou mixer should be fine, BUT, I will say an extra sub group out will come in handy when recording. I use the Behringer 1622 which was 2 main outs, which go to my amp, and 2 sub outs, which go to the 2496, which makes for easy isolation of specific signals for recording, even if playing several other instruments at the same time. All this gear is linked up in the GEar Bag section if you want to take a look at it and see how people that have it have rated that various products.
SonicoMember
Since: Apr 19, 2002
Jun 20, 2003 10:47 am Hi Bob,
I use the Audiophile and I'am very happy with it. It´s an excellent card. I just want to warn you (may be you know this already) that if you go for the Delta 44 and want to record the 4 ins at the same time, check the cakewalk site for the products features. You can record any number of tracks at the same time with Sonar but I'am not sure if you're able to do that with Home Studio 2004.
Sonar XL 2.2 + M-Audio Cards, that's an excellent combination.
BobMember
Since: Jun 20, 2003
Jun 20, 2003 12:13 pm Thanks dB & Sonico -
I was seriously considering the Audiohile, but one other thing I was worried about is : if I leave my SB Live (which has Midi) installed and then also install the Audiophile, will I get any conflicts between multiple Midi interfaces?
- Bob
Jun 20, 2003 12:24 pm No, they should show up as seperate MIDI devices in Sonar.
I will also say, if you get either of these cards, and Sonar, be sure you download the free update to Sonar 2.2 (well, free to 2.0 owners, anyway) That version adds ASIO support, and the performance is light years better with ASIO.
Jun 20, 2003 02:52 pm Quote:
will I get any conflicts between multiple Midi interfaces
no, as dB said, Windows will just see two different ports. BUT, there is a possibility of an IRQ conflict, which is usually resolved by simply moving one of the cards to another PCI slot on the motherboard.
If you get stuck or have any questions about the installation, check with us. Plenty of experience with these things among the lot of us -j
Jun 25, 2003 10:40 pm Welcome, I'm new here also. This has been a great site. Informative and it's nice to know your'e not alone.
I've had no problems with having 2 cards. SB audigy 2 for games and general stuff and an M audio 44 for recording. If you have XP, you just have to select a playback device and a recording device (in your control panel). Tooo easy, and it work's
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jun 25, 2003 11:09 pm over the audiophile and the delta i personally prefer the delta as it has more ins. I use my SB for MIDI although when I get some cash I am going to be upgraded to a better midi interface... and I still don't understand this midi mumbo jumbo. heh
