KVR Audio

mbuna · Post by **mbuna** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:45 pm

The onboard sound on my laptop is garbage. I'm looking for a decent little usb device that processes, and has MIDI. Is there such a thing? The M-Audio Fast Track Ultra seems like it's what I'm looking for, but I'm a little dumb and I can't decide if it's a real sound processor

It's also a little out of my price range. Something aorund $200 would be great.

bmrzycki · Post by **bmrzycki** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:01 pm

Some quick googling turned up this review site. It recommends the Tascam US-144 which retails for about $150. Tascam's site is here. Looks like a decent device with active support for both Windows and Mac. I don't own this interface but I have shopped for a few. If you're really worried about mic pre-amps I don't know if these are any good. For $150 it seems to fit your requirements though.

The only drawback I can see is the line out is a stereo pair of RCA plugs. You'll need to look elsewhere if you want to get TRS outs for powered monitors.

Good luck!

mbuna · Post by **mbuna** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:09 pm

Awesome! That looks like exactly what I need. Just to be clear though, this thing acts as my soundcard on my laptop right? I run FLStudio and I like to use Absynth 4 as a live guitar FX "pedal". Would this thing just show up under Options > Audio Settings in the I/O device drop down, like ASIO4ALL does? Baically, I just want to be clear that this thing is capable of being the sound processor, hopefully getting like 4ms latency on my live effects and softsynths.

Thanks again

bmrzycki · Post by **bmrzycki** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:31 pm

mbuna wrote:Awesome! That looks like exactly what I need. Just to be clear though, this thing acts as my soundcard on my laptop right? I run FLStudio and I like to use Absynth 4 as a live guitar FX "pedal". Would this thing just show up under Options > Audio Settings in the I/O device drop down, like ASIO4ALL does? Baically, I just want to be clear that this thing is capable of being the sound processor, hopefully getting like 4ms latency on my live effects and softsynths.

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer:
All good device manufacturers make ASIO drivers native for their hardware, be it USB, FireWire, or PCI. I strongly recommend getting the latest driver from the manufacturer's website when installing and follow their instructions.

I just want to be clear there, this device isn't really a sound processor in the sense of an outboard DSP or effects unit. It won't take any of your current CPU load and put it on the device. Windows simpley treats it like another ASIO device. Companies like Focusrite sell audio interfaces like the Saffire that have outboard DSP capabilities.

As far if you'll get your 4ms latency, I can't answer that. It depends on the load on your laptop's CPU, the number of effects you're running, how many tracks are playing while using those effects, the host software, the quality of the ASIO driver, the device selected bit rate, etc. If you're using a modern laptop as a sort of guitar stomp box I think this kind of setup should be ok. If you're using Live and have 15 clips running all with effect chains and you want to use this pedal with Absynth realtime it might not work as you hope.

One thing I have found to help with latency on USB devices is to keep the device to its own port. Don't plug it into a USB port multiplier because the USB protocol shares bandwidth with all connected devices on the same hub.

Last piece of advice; with the web today you can download the manual for all the devices you might want to purchase. Take the time to read them! Because they're considered post sale documentation they are usually untouched by the marketing teams. This means you might find out the device won't work for your particular setup, but only because it was on page 87 in the "Troubleshooting" section.

It sure beats discovering this before money has changed hands and you're on tech support calls 10 minutes after unboxing.

Again, I have never used the Tascam device and stress the importance of you finding the right fit for your needs. If you're curious, I have a Roland UA-101 and like it quite a bit.

davinwv · Post by **davinwv** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:34 pm

I would stay away from the US-144. I just bought one and it is going straight back to Amazon. The driver installed okay, but the firmware update failed. This was followed by clicks and pops everywhere at high-buffer settings. I replaced it with a Fast Track Ultra. Installed like a dream! Not a single problem! The Fast Track Ultra is in a whole other league quality-wise. Stretch your budget and spend the extra money. You won't be sorry!

ajay67 · Post by **ajay67** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:22 am

look for those with good usb driver update/support

delta90h · Post by **delta90h** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 7:30 am

Try this:
http://www.rolandus.com/products/produc ... rentId=114
I am using the more expencive unit of Edirol:
http://www.rolandus.com/products/produc ... rentId=114
And Very happy with it.
Latency up to 3 ms on PC and up to 1 ms on MAC.

My first soundcard back in 2000 was TASCAM US-122,it was TASCAM US-122L pre model and minimum latancy that i can gain with it was 21 ms. Doesen't matter on which platform or computer it is driver limit for TASCAM US-122. 21 ms

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:02 am

ajay67 wrote:look for those with good usb driver update/support

and google your laptop chipsets info with potential devices. Presonus Firepod, E-Mu 0404,
Line6 Toneport UX2- nice, but no midi, lots of good ones out in the jungle!

Looking for a USB Soundcard with Midi In/Out