M Audio Card - Audophile 2496 or Delta 44/Delta 66??

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Hello!
Member Since: Jan 12, 2004

Hi Folks

HEre is a quick poser for you all as Im off next week to buy an SM58 thanks to the excellent info gained from you guys!

I also plan on upgrading my soundcard...

Now - which would be best from the M-Audio range of these 3: Audiophile 2496, Delta44 or Delta66??

This is for recording vox, guitars and midi sequencing everything else (no external input reqd other than above - no midi instrumnents). I notice the Deltas have b/out boxes - I take it these would be far better for this job?

Many thanks guys...

Coco.

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 19, 2004 05:15 pm

You neglected to say the one thing that matters most...how many inputs will you need at any one time. If the answer is just one stereo input or two mono inputs at any one time, then I would say the Audiophile, cuz it also has S/PDIF and MIDI ins and outs for possible future growth, if you need more ins than that I would say the 44 cuz it has 4 ins and outs, if you think you may need S/PDIF (digital) ins or outs as well as the 4 ins, then go with the 66.

They are all Delta series cards and perform very similarily and have almost identical driver with the exception of control for their specific ins and outs.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Feb 19, 2004 05:59 pm

The breakout boxes are nice to have something solid if you are plugging and unplugging alot. If you just do it once and then leave it, the cables like the audiophile is no problem. Do you think you will be using midi instruments in the future? Also how much is money a factor?

Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002


Feb 19, 2004 06:00 pm

Yeah, just like dB said, the M-Audio range clearly caters for how many inputs your work requires. However, if you do choose to get a Delta 44 or Delta 66, please note that you will require a seperate MIDI interface - something like the M-Audio Midisport 2x2 service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear can be picked up quite cheaply.

jues.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Feb 19, 2004 06:09 pm

yes, that is the main reason i went with the audiophile. built in midi.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 19, 2004 06:30 pm

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Thank you muchly[/size]

Member
Since: Jan 26, 2004


Feb 19, 2004 09:58 pm

I've got the M-Audio Audiophile and has DB perfectly put it, its all based upon your requirements of ins/outs. I use the Audiophile because I not require much in's and the IN that I use is my mixing board. Pretty much cannot go wrong with m-audio as they make some bad-*** cards!

Also look at the following cards from Echo, Aardvark, Digidesigns etc which are around the 300+ dollar range :)

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Feb 20, 2004 04:44 pm

OK Guys...

I'll never be recording more than vocals/guitar at once (probably single tracking these anyway so this wont even be an issue!).

One question tho - will any of these sound cards imrpove the sound I get from my internal midi instruments I use within Sonar?? i.e. will it make the accoutsic grand piano sound better and more realsitic?? Sorry for the niavety here - I just dont know!!

Cheers guys...

Coco.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Feb 20, 2004 10:11 pm

Yes, it will improve it. The latency will be better and the audio itself should be much better as well.

a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member
Since: Oct 09, 2002


Feb 20, 2004 11:24 pm

Well, I don't think it will make the sounds more realistic, but, as Noize said, the sound quality will be better.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Feb 24, 2004 06:42 pm

OK...I have the dosh and I plan to go out tommorow and purchase! Wohoo!

Anyway: here's my final options. Which one would be best for simple recording (no midi instruments) of guitars (via AMP SIM) and vocals. That is ALL I record! So...pure spec and audio quality is my only concern here (tho breakout would be handy!).

Here we go:

M-Audio Delta 44: £159.00

The Delta 44 offers the same features and high performance as the Delta 66, but is designed for the person who does not require S/PDIF digital I/O.ðThe Delta 44 features the same 24 bit 96kHz converter section that makes the Delta 66 the envy of the audio card community.ðAnd like the Delta 66, the Delta 44Ìs breakout box handles four balanced or unbalanced, +4dB or -10dB signal level analog inputs and outputs. Also included is the Delta control panel software which configures the card and controls digital mixing and routing.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
4x4 24 bit/96kHz full-duplex recording interface.
Configured as a PCI Host card with external audio break-out box.
4x4 analog break-out box accepts balanced or unbalanced connections on 1/4" tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) jacks.
Analog I/O c

OR...

Audiophile USB: £179.99

The Audiophile USB builds on the success of our popular Audiophile 2496—awarded Best Soundcard by Computer Music magazine—delivering 24-bit/96k quality with great dynamic range and noise specs. That’s because it uses AC-powered components that deliver better fidelity than bus-powered circuitry. The included Mac and PC drivers let you independently scale bit depth and sample rate (up to 96k) to deliver the lowest USB latency anywhere—whether you’re on stage or in the studio.
Audiophile USB Features:

Simple USB connectivity for audio and MIDI
2 pairs of analog line-level audio inputs (1/4" unbalanced or RCA)
2 analog line-level audio outputs (RCA) with level control knob
S/PDIF in and out (coaxial)
Support AC3 for surround sound setups
MIDI in and out
Headphone output (1/4") with level control knob
High performance 24-bit/96k ADCs (109dB dynamic range)
High performance 24-bit/96k DACs (107dB dynamic range)
Low latency
External power supply allows higher-fidelity AC-powered components
includes software drivers for ASIO 2, MME, Sound Manager and Microsoft DX

If it wouldnt be worse for latency/quality - I'd probably prefer the USB for the sheer convenience but anybody got any input or experience with these 2 cards???

Input, as ever, much appreciated for the one band from Scotland..!

Cheers guys.

Coco.


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Feb 24, 2004 08:52 pm

Well the CakeWalk rep got decent latency using a SUB M-Audio card on his laptop if I remember correctly. And I did get to play a bit with a set up on laptop using their Audiophile USB and I think it ran at about 4 or 5 ms which is very good.

Just my 2 cents. And for the record, I run a Delta 44 and have had nothing but good results.

Member
Since: Feb 25, 2004


Feb 26, 2004 04:00 pm

I have an m-Audio Audiophile 2496, and IMO for the price, you can't beat it. I've gotten very crisp recordings from it since I bought it a few weeks back.

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