M Audio soundcards - which one for home/demo?

reverberocket2 · June 6th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Want to start out with some basic recording clips then move up to 8 possible 16 tracks. I don't need pro studio quality just home/demo.

Which M audio card do I want?

Valvey · June 6th, 2008, 08:42 PM

M audio USB Fastrack is a common entry level interface.

neocaster · June 7th, 2008, 04:36 PM

M-Audio PCI Delta Audiophile 2496 (about the same price as Fast Track USB) supplies 2 mono (or 1 stereo) analog ins, 2 analog (or 1 stereo) analog outs, and a breakout cable with 1 Digital in, 1 digital out, 1 MIDI in and 1 MIDI out. It seems like a lot of bang for the buck, with the only catch being you'd run the mics/instruments through a mixer or preamp with RCA outs first. I suppose (just a guess) that you could adapt a 1/4" instrument cable to a mono RCA plug, but I haven't done it.

USB Fast Track doesn't need external power, so they're really laptop friendly. USB gets pretty crowder on a lapptop for software that requires a USB key/dongle to operate. The least expensive ($99) has 1 analog in (switchable between 1/4" instrument and balanced XLR)

This stuff gets crazy expensive from there. I'm scared.

Tim Armstrong · June 8th, 2008, 12:02 PM

I've used both the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 and the Delta 1010lt, and have gotten good results from both (the only significant difference is that the 2496 is two-channel, and the 1010 is eight). Around a hundred bucks for two channels, or around two hundred bucks for eight...

Cheers, Tim

reverberocket2 · June 9th, 2008, 11:00 AM

Thanks everyone,

Going to put this on a desktop, not a laptop

Looking at the products I can see the 2496 and the Delta 1010lt are soundcards inside the PC.

Is the USB Fast Track a soundcard or just an interface?

With the USB Fast Track would I also need to buy a soundcard for my PC?

The Fast Track package (with monitor, mic, cables etc) seem like a quick/easy way to track guitar and vox, but it does not mention that it can also track drums/keys etc.

If I get the 2496 or Delta 1010lt would I need to purchase an interface?

I have Johnson-J Station (like a POD) which has moddling amps and effects - would that serve as an interface?

Thanks

Tim Armstrong · June 9th, 2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reverberocket2

Is the USB Fast Track a soundcard or just an interface?

It's an interface.

Quote:

With the USB Fast Track would I also need to buy a soundcard for my PC?

It bypasses your soundcard (or, if your computer doesn't have a soundcard, the integrated sound on your motherboard), puts the signal right into whatever recording software you're using.

Quote:

The Fast Track package (with monitor, mic, cables etc) seem like a quick/easy way to track guitar and vox, but it does not mention that it can also track drums/keys etc.

Looks like the Fast Track has 1/4", RCA, XLR, and MIDI inputs, so you ought to be able to record any kind of device you want.

Quote:

If I get the 2496 or Delta 1010lt would I need to purchase an interface?

Yep. I've used various mic preamps and mixers (Behringer, Mackie and Yamaha). You'll need something to plug your mics and/or devices into (except as noted below!).

Quote:

I have Johnson-J Station (like a POD) which has moddling amps and effects - would that serve as an interface?

For your guitars, sure, but not your microphones.

I'd note that the 1010lt has two built-in mic preamps (on channels 1 & 2), so you could theoretically be okay without any other kind of interface, unless you need phantom power for a condenser mic...

Cheers, Tim

neocaster · June 12th, 2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

Looks like the Fast Track has 1/4", RCA, XLR, and MIDI inputs, so you ought to be able to record any kind of device you want.

Careful, reverberocket. M-Audio sells 4 Fast Tracks. The Fast Track USB only has Mic (XLR) Instrument (1/4") and Line in (Same 1/4")

If you want/need a Midi interface, You'll want to start with the Fast Track Pro. It will also supply phantom power to the two XLR ins.

reverberocket2 · June 12th, 2008, 11:24 AM

Thanks everyone. I think I'll be going with Audiophile 2496, the majority of reviews for it were positive compared to very mixed reviews on the Fast Track

Pat

cantolina · June 12th, 2008, 11:39 AM

I picked up a MobilePre USB recently, and it has everything I need on it....and its now my soundcard, as well...no need for a soundcard if you're using one of these...

June 6th, 2008, 06:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
reverberocket2 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 355	M Audio soundcards - which one for home/demo? Want to start out with some basic recording clips then move up to 8 possible 16 tracks. I don't need pro studio quality just home/demo. Which M audio card do I want?

June 7th, 2008, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,521 11 Photos	M-Audio PCI Delta Audiophile 2496 (about the same price as Fast Track USB) supplies 2 mono (or 1 stereo) analog ins, 2 analog (or 1 stereo) analog outs, and a breakout cable with 1 Digital in, 1 digital out, 1 MIDI in and 1 MIDI out. It seems like a lot of bang for the buck, with the only catch being you'd run the mics/instruments through a mixer or preamp with RCA outs first. I suppose (just a guess) that you could adapt a 1/4" instrument cable to a mono RCA plug, but I haven't done it. USB Fast Track doesn't need external power, so they're really laptop friendly. USB gets pretty crowder on a lapptop for software that requires a USB key/dongle to operate. The least expensive ($99) has 1 analog in (switchable between 1/4" instrument and balanced XLR) This stuff gets crazy expensive from there. I'm scared. __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

June 8th, 2008, 12:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,654	I've used both the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 and the Delta 1010lt, and have gotten good results from both (the only significant difference is that the 2496 is two-channel, and the 1010 is eight). Around a hundred bucks for two channels, or around two hundred bucks for eight... Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

June 12th, 2008, 11:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
cantolina Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Warsaw, NY Posts: 121 5 Photos	I picked up a MobilePre USB recently, and it has everything I need on it....and its now my soundcard, as well...no need for a soundcard if you're using one of these... __________________ www.myspace.com/chuckantolina See this 5 minute comedy short, Produced by an old friend of mine- The Babysitter

June 6th, 2008, 08:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Valvey Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: morgantown wv Posts: 166	M audio USB Fastrack is a common entry level interface.

June 9th, 2008, 11:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
reverberocket2 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 355	Thanks everyone, Going to put this on a desktop, not a laptop Looking at the products I can see the 2496 and the Delta 1010lt are soundcards inside the PC. Is the USB Fast Track a soundcard or just an interface? With the USB Fast Track would I also need to buy a soundcard for my PC? The Fast Track package (with monitor, mic, cables etc) seem like a quick/easy way to track guitar and vox, but it does not mention that it can also track drums/keys etc. If I get the 2496 or Delta 1010lt would I need to purchase an interface? I have Johnson-J Station (like a POD) which has moddling amps and effects - would that serve as an interface? Thanks

June 12th, 2008, 11:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
reverberocket2 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 355	Thanks everyone. I think I'll be going with Audiophile 2496, the majority of reviews for it were positive compared to very mixed reviews on the Fast Track Pat