Can I get a 4 MIDI output AND audio interface in one unit?

[andym0908]

Hi all

I'm back to using Cantabile for live use - well, I'm going to try.

I've just bought a ThinkPad T400 (4GB Ram, 320GB HDD, Core2Duo) and have stripped it down for music (absolutely NO internet etc... - disabled some win services).

I have an existing set up at the moment that is all hardware (2 x Wavestation SR racks, XV5080, Miditemp multistation etc...). It works 'ok' but I find that programming any sounds fiddly (especially on the SR units), so I thought that giving the laptop solution another try would be more beneficial, as I could just take my laptop home from the studio, create/edit sounds, and job done - no more rest of the band waiting around for me.

I'll keep my existing hardware setup until I know the laptop solution is rock solid and viable.

So, what audio/MIDI interface is recommended. I have 4 keyboards for live use, and require a 4 input MIDI interface - plus low latency audio output with at least 2 sets of stereo outputs (we have click tracks to go separately to the drummer).

Anyone have any ideas, or advice for me here?

[TiUser]

Probably you should consider two devices - a dedicated midi interface and a separate audio interface.

Only thing I can recommend is trying to find out about driver quality - especially with the audio interface. This has some influence on cpu load and efficiency. With midi good drivers allow better timing and stability. Windows plug and play isn't a good choice here, especially if you consider connecting external midi HW that way.

just my 2ct.