Dizzy!! ESI 1010, DSP 2000, or Aardvark Q10???
Home > Home Recording Forum > Gear Gab > Dizzy!! ESI 1010, DSP 2000, or Aardvark Q10???
Posted on Jan 16, 2006 08:27 am
Michael Lombardi
Member Since: Jan 16, 2006
At this point, I can only spend the money once. I have read and compared specs until I'm dizzy! I have an array of instruments, acoustic and electric, to record and mix. I usually play everything myself but do work with others, usually vocals. I need multiple inputs as I mic most everything including drums. I really need some help getting my head clear. I thought I wanted the Q10, then the C-port, then read about the ESI. Now, I can't see the forest because of all of the trees. Comments on my choices PLEASE?
Thanks - Michael
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Jan 16, 2006 09:12 am Well, really only you can tell what will work best for you, don't don't mention any need for MIDI, and it sounds like it's a 100% audio based music, no electronic, or direct recorded stuff. The Q10 has had some reputation blemishes with some driver issues, the company either going out of business is dropping underground or something (the specifics escape me) though a couple memebers here have used them, some have dropped it to get something better supported. I don't recall ever hearing anything negative about the c-ports, people that have them have been happy with them. I use an ESI device, not the 1010 but the Juli@. I like their drivers, they perform very well under either ASIO or WDM.
Welcome to HRC. I realize that is very general info, butit's really the best I could offer.
Jan 16, 2006 10:06 am Thanks for the reply. You are right. Not into MIDI at this time. I do use a MIDI compatible Yamaha PSR8000 keyboard but only as an analog device. Since you mention Juli@.... In my research, it looks like the ESI 1010 is, in most respects, the Juli@ card with the additional breakout box. Like I said, I'm dizzy with all of the specs. I've also read where the hoontech (DSP 2000) is a discontinued product and that the ESI 1010 is the successor. The price difference, about half for the 1010,is substantial. I wonder why?
Thanks for the welcome to HRC. This is the first time I've been here but will check back often. This is a, excellent site and an great service to the interested community!
Jan 16, 2006 10:23 am Here is a review of the 1010 from Noize2u, an HRC admin www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=595
ESI cards almost all use the same drvier type, the ESI e-wdm driver package, which support ASIO, WDM, MME, gigastudio and more...so ESI products to have that in common. They are very clean, high performance drivers, I have been quite impressed with my Juli@ in terms of high audio quality and low latency.
I wasn't aware the DSP 1010 was discontinued, but then, it is pretty old so I shouldn't be surprised.
MIDI as at least an available option on the sound device you choose could well be used in the future. While you may not be willing to pay extra for it, if the device you choose at least has it, it's a plus. Never say never to anything...
Jan 16, 2006 05:59 pm Quote:
The Q10 has had some reputation blemishes with some driver issues
Damn right they have driver issues. My 3 give me endless problems. But they're great for the money theyre going for these days : ).
Jan 16, 2006 06:10 pm I just don't personally have time for things that give me problems...
Well, except my wife...
Jan 16, 2006 06:14 pm Quote:
Well, except my wife...
I know very well that my mother would not be happy at all with my father saying that. I wish you good luck.
And hey, they work when they need to.
Jan 16, 2006 06:30 pm I'm sure my wife wouldn't be tickled with it either...hey, what can I say, I ride the ragged edge most of the time...at least with her...
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jan 16, 2006 07:43 pm I think the large group of aardvark users at the yahoo group is deciding that dualcore and aardvark products don't mix.
I think I found a way to ditch windows and still use my Q10 as a preamp...using an opensource windows API called ReactOS... I'll mess with it later...
the Q10 was made to last... but Aardvark wasn't :)
So... I can't really suggest the aardvark anymore :P
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 16, 2006 08:08 pm Hello Michael, and welcome to HRC.
As dB stated I use the DSP 101, (the Hoontech unit is the one that is discontinued DSP 2000). Anyway, the Hoontech was manufactured by a differant company but I believe the chasis is very similar on the DSP 1010 from ESI. dont know how many mics you will need to plug in at once, but this may help make the decision easier. The DSP 101 from ESI has 2 XLR with phantom power and the other 6 inputs are 1/4" balanced. All 8 outputs are 1/4" and as well it does have light pipe output and s/pdif in and out as well. It also has 2 midi i/o ports, one on the breakout box the other on the card. This will give you 32 channels of midi i/o if needed in the future. As dB stated their drivers are spot on without any trouble at all. I was a big fan of M-Audio for their huge dedication to driver support but ESI is as good if not better, and honestly the rumor of M-Audio being bought out by another big box corp turned me off on buying another of their products, customer support being the issue in my eyes. ESI has been absolutely a breeze to work with in that respect. I also run another of their interfaces, the WAveterminal 192M which is now almost 3 years old and still running without any problems. Both units offer extremely low latency which is important here becuase of heavy midi use. They as well have very low self noise.
As for the other 2 units, Q10 I dont think I would bother as there is no companay to support it. And the DSP 2000, well honestly their AD/DA chips are not anywhere near the quality of the ESI units.
Hope this helps ya out a little bit.
May 01, 2006 07:21 am *Update* Well, I jumped in!
After reading reviews I finally decided to buy the ESI ESP1010. DJDeals took my order and then sent me a letter that they were out of stock for at least 2 weeks. They promptly refunded me and I went to Digital Pro Audio - also out of stock. After more research I found out that ESI is having serious financial problems (according to DPA) and had not shipped in quite some time. Rather than run into another Aardvark/Hoontech/STAudio (no updates support) scenario, I went with the Layla3G. Got it for $414. with free shipping. It came with Tracktion (no thoughts on that as I have not installed it).
Just wanted to thank everyone here at the forum for all of your comments.
May 01, 2006 07:26 am Interesting...and unfortunate, cuz ESI stuff is the bomb.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 01, 2006 03:29 pm wow, that's a bummer. hope I never have trouble.
Course, I'd wish that anyway.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 01, 2006 10:30 pm Uh, ya.
May 02, 2006 06:41 am Hi all. Financial trouble doesn't mean that they are going down. Heck, it could just be a warehousing or shipping problem. I was told that they would ship in 2 weeks but after 3 weeks of waiting without news, I needed to move on. So far the 3G is great but I'm sure I would have been just as happy with the ESP1010. I have a deep rack so logistics would have been better with the 1010 as it has access to inputs on the front of the box. Have a great day! - Michael
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 02, 2006 08:16 pm Michael, do you have a patch bay in your rack. That is how I access all my gears i/o jacks. And as well my 1010 is wired through the patch bay.
May 03, 2006 06:38 am Noize2u - I've been looking at patch bays on eBay for that very reason. Looks like I can get a decent one for 30/40 bucks used. My rack is rather small - Powerbrite, Guitar modeler, Headphone amp, 3G, Digitech msp4 (for drums), and a Yamaha P2100 amp for monitors (noisy!). I have one space left for the patch bay. Makes me a little nervous to fill the rack because the amp runs pretty hot. Guess I'll have to plan on a larger rack in the future. I use external mixer to mic drums and percussion and need input for PSR8000. What patch bay are you using?
Thanks! - Michael
May 03, 2006 06:43 am Buying a patch bay used makes me want to say one thing...have a can of contact cleaner and a fistfull of swabs when you get it...clean those jacks out when you get it. The way patch bays are often used (sitting with few cables used in the usual situation) leads to very dusty jacks...just sitting open and unused. It's a good idea to just quickly swab them out when you first get the unit.
May 03, 2006 07:18 am dB - Great advice for everyone, thanks! I use Radio Shack's Tuner Control Cleaner and Lubricant. I learned about the cleaner when I took a vintage SG to the luthier because I thought I had a short. 15 minutes and 45 bucks later it worked great - no scratchy sound at all. I have 12 guitars so now I clean the pots myself. I've found it a great rejuvinator and easy to use. I've used it on amps, radios, TV's, and everything else that has a pot. Try not to breathe that stuff though!
Thanks - Michael
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 03, 2006 08:45 pm Michael, I use all Behringer bays now. I use the PX 2000. It is a 48 point bay and rather then having to remove and flip cards or clip wires you simply flip a switch to choose one of the 4 modes it runs in. I believe they can be had for $50.00 or so give or take a bit.
May 03, 2006 09:21 pm Hey, I've got a Layla 3G, too. No bummer, there!
You got it for $100 cheaper, though. No fair!
May 04, 2006 07:09 am Noize2u - Yep, I've come to that conclusion. I like the "flip switch" feature a lot. I'm also looking at a dbx PB48 on ebay but will probably go PX2000. I'd rather spend my time on recording than hardware configurations.
Thanks, Michael
May 04, 2006 07:13 am PorpoiseM - I do feel your pain!
