Internal vs. External Sound Cards
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Posted on May 16, 2005 05:34 pm
kamikaze
Member Since: Sep 11, 2004
Hi all,
I'm upgrading from an Audigy 2, and am looking into getting a more pro audio oriented card. Are there any disadvantages to an external sound "box" that connects via firewire, or USB? Will there be latency when using these, or is it the exact same as an internal PCI card?
My audigy produced crackling sounds, so im thinking that internal PCI cards are doomed to get interference.
Someone please point me in the right direction!
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May 16, 2005 05:45 pm Your Audigy got those sounds cuz SoundDisasters are not meant for recording. I use a PCI card, and I have been thru three different ones in my DAW over the years, and none of them had problems like that.
USB and Firewire both have bandwidth limitations, meaning the amount of data you can ship over the wire at once. Depending on how you record, you may or may not ever notice it. If you have gotten away with an SB for this long, it's like an Audiophile 2496 or ESI Juli@ will suit your purposes nicely, both internal devices.
Personally, I wouldonly consider getting an external device if I was stuck having to use a laptop computer, otherwise, I will always stick to internal.
mccartyeeeeeeemo.Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003
May 16, 2005 07:35 pm if you like the idea of having a box with the inputs and outputs within easy access, take a look at the m-audio delta series: most of the cards come with break-out boxes!
May 16, 2005 07:54 pm Yeah, the higher end Delta and Echo Layla have breakout boxes that are rack mountable too. That is cool if you need easy access to the I/O...doesn't matter to me, thats what I use a mixer for, but if you need it, it's a great gig.
May 17, 2005 01:17 am I like the Audiophile 192, and it suits all of my needs, but I would like something to plug my headphones into! Is there something on the card that i can plug the headphone jack on the front of my computer case up to? The reason I'm thinking external is because of this, and because it just looks cooler
May 17, 2005 01:43 am The M-Audio Firewire Solo has a headphone jack, and a volume knob for it, which also controls the volume of the rear outputs! I'll finally have a volume knob for my monitors (I dislike changing the volume using software). I'm thinking I might go this route. Any pitfalls to be aware of? Is firewire a good audio interface? There seem to be lots of high end products using firewire.
Let me know!
rkruzMember
Since: Sep 02, 2004
May 19, 2005 12:38 am Ive been looking for a while too. I sort of narrowed down to Echo Layla 3G which you can buy new from factory approved store for $410.....or the ESI ESP1010 which is very similar to the Layla 3G and which can be had for about $317. I think there is one being evaluated on HRC and should be a review posted before too long. I was waiting to read the review before I bought.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
May 19, 2005 03:24 pm Well, firewire is faster than USB, but USB2 is close to firewire(there seems to be some discussion of what is faster between these two). I don't know how USB2 and firewire compare to PCI, but I'm assuming PCI is faster.
I think a lot of people who use the Audiophile send the outs of the audiophile to their mixer, and then you usually have a spot for your headphones on the mixer, plus you can control your monitors from the mixer as well.
Sorry, don't have any info on the Firewire solo thiggymajiggy. ha, I'm so technical!
mccartyeeeeeeemo.Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003
May 19, 2005 06:56 pm i believe you're correct in thinking that pci is faster than both usb and firewire *nods*
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
May 19, 2005 09:48 pm I was looking at the Firepod for awhile (Firewire) which would give me portability (I have a laptop) but I after I thought about it, I realized that I wouldn't NEED to be portable.
I saved a few bucks (1/2 actually) and got a Delta 66 and 44 instead (for my desktop).
IMO, if you don't need to be portable then stay away from firewire. Unless your PC is equiped with a firewire port, you will have to purchase a firewire PCI card. This is just an extra part to worry about.
My 2 cents.
mccartyeeeeeeemo.Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003
May 21, 2005 06:33 am eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee i just ordered my delta 66 :)
although i got an error page at the end :o so i've probably been charged £120 for nothing. good ol' internet.
