OT: looking for something more "pro" than the audi

[rockstar_not]

Maybe I'll opt for an Audigy Platinum (please don't snicker) to keep things simple.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Care to elaborate?

Creative cards are designed to handle game sound, with music making coming as an afterthought. If you want rock-solid drivers, low latencies, good audio quality, and free choice of the sample-rate you use, my advice would be to buy a card designed for the job..

I agree that creative cards come from a gamers first, musicians second perspective.

With that said, the Platinum versions of their cards, with the Live Drive I/O panel (with 2 different line in's, SPDIF and MIDI) are to me, the opposite. Coupled with the KX project drivers, I'm at 5.3 mS latency, with all the front panel connectors I need for my 1-track-at-a-time recordist approach - no mixer needed, no headphone amp needed. After all, the SB cards are built around an EMU chip.

I'm trying to find the same kind of functionality, even at double the price and I'm coming up zeros so far.

I don't have any complaints about the sound quality, either - nor have I had complaints from people that listen to my stuff. Advertised S/N ratios are comparable to the M-audio cards.

I'm willing to switch - I just can't seem to find what to switch to.

-Scott

[IIRs]

I've never used an Audigy, but I grew to hate my SBLive (platinum) from the very depths of my soul. Fixed 48KHz sample-rate anyone?

[rockstar_not]

I've never used an Audigy, but I grew to hate my SBLive (platinum) from the very depths of my soul. Fixed 48KHz sample-rate anyone?

I think Audigy has the same limitation - 48 kHz only.

I don't plan on recording 24/96 since my outboard gear is pretty crappy and going 24/96 or even 16/96, just would be putting lipstick on a pig.

What was bad about 48kHz only for you? T seems to work with it just fine for me. I intermingle clips from all sample rates and haven't seen or heard an issue.

-Scott

[nuisance sonore]

I can't understand why anyone would pay more for something less flexible than an audiophile 2496 and of questionable quality and support (and made by a company with questionable ethics I might add).

You want the ultimate converter? Get a Lynx II

You want good quality, flexibility and rock solid drivers at a good price? Get an Audiophile.

[IIRs]

What was bad about 48kHz only for you? T seems to work with it just fine for me. I intermingle clips from all sample rates and haven't seen or heard an issue.

It might have annoyed me less if I was using Tracktion in those days. However, I resented the extra SRC step required to burn a CD, and the inherent loss of quality that went with it.

I also resented having my Registry stuffed full of irrelevant game settings, when I don't allow games anywhere near my DAW.

The lowest latency available without glitching was about 4 or 5 times as long as I can achieve now, and the difference in audio quality was breathtaking.

Your choice though

[rockstar_not]

I can't understand why anyone would pay more for something less flexible than an audiophile 2496 and of questionable quality and support (and made by a company with questionable ethics I might add).

You want the ultimate converter? Get a Lynx II

You want good quality, flexibility and rock solid drivers at a good price? Get an Audiophile.

I can't understand it either. I guess it depends on your definition of what 'less flexible' means.

I like the fact that the Live Drive I currently have has all the I/O right at the front of the machine (Analog, SPDIF, MIDI, Headphones). I don't need a mixer or headphone amp to run outs from a card into to have phones plugged into. I haven't had a need for a mixer - I'm a solo recordist. 1 stereo track at a time is all that I can do in my little 2.2m high ceiling'ed room.

But, I can see that if I spend only $99 on a 2496, I would have about $60 to spend on a little mixer, for the same price as an Audigy Platinum. Little mixers are handy to have around.

So, thanks for bringing it up. You got me thinking.

[debaser]

thanks a lot

i think i'll try the emu 1212.
seems a lot better than my audiophile...and now i have 200$ to spend

[FoxV]

You should be able to find the 2496 for around $80 somewhere online.