KVR Audio

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:25 am

I'm amazed I'm saying this, given my long running campaign against all use of Creative soundcards, but actually the new E-mus sound like the best bet.

Me, I'd go for the 1820M. More than you were planning to spend, but basically it's a next generation product, and the others aren't.

harry_palmer · Post by **harry_palmer** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:22 am

One of the good things about the 1212m is its expandability. You can buy the breakout box seprately at a later date if you can't afford it now. Or if you don't need it in your current set up but wish to expand in the future.

There is also the rumour about the summer update for running the Card FX in a VST plugin wrappers. As currently you have to go back to the DSP mixer to adjust FX settings. Plus you can't automate the FX parameters either. It is still early days for the EMU stuff so hopefully there should be some goodies in the updates pipeline.

Harry

Durk · Post by **Durk** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:35 am

harry_palmer wrote:I did some multi-client testing with the 1212m last night. And yes it is!!!

I was running CubaseSX, Reaktor4 standalone and Pro53 alone all on there own seperate ASIO channel into the DSP mixer.
You can also do ASIO routing of the output of one program into the input of another program. Just for testing I was able to run the output of the Pro53 into the input of CubaseSX. In reality you never want to do this with the Pro-53, it is just proof of concept.

So yes the 1212m is multi-client. One thing to note though is that ASIO channels cannot be shared, but the 1212m supports up to 16 pairs of ASIO channels so it is not a problem. I guess this is the same for any soundcard with ASIO drivers just that some have less channels.

Thanks for testing!! This is what I needed..

harry_palmer wrote:Re: 1212m mic preamps.
The 1212m doesn't have a mic preamp, but you can insert a Trim control on the channel to boost the gain that extra amount, this is a bit noisier than using a proper mic-preamp. But if you want the mic preamp then you should splash out for the breakout box of the 1820M or just get an external mic pre-amp, like one of the little Behringer ones, these are pretty cheap.

Harry

About the preamps, I think I like to have a preamp though... So I'm doubting, will I jump the 1212M boat or the 1820 boat... The 1820 costs € 323.00, but saves me external preamps and has a nice break-out box. The 1820M is a different story, I don't think I'll need that; here's a nice overview of the differences:

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/cre ... index.html

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:41 am

The thing is, the 1212M and 1820M have better converters than the 1820(no M). For fifty quid, it's a false economy.

PugFace · Post by **PugFace** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:12 am

EMU 1820m is next generation equipment. They are totally integrating on-board effects with the host. This will leave your CPU with less to do and make your whole system far more powerful. ALL the other cards mentioned DO NOT do this. Emu's 1820m noise floor is up at the very highest possible in music equipment. They are Creative yes, but Emu's development team are workiing only for Pro-Music equipment. The price is very competitive.

Quite simply, anybody not buying this product for PCI interfacing use is foolish.

I am waiting for them to release the Firewire equivalent. When they do, i will buy it.

Durk · Post by **Durk** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:15 am

Phaedo wrote:The thing is, the 1212M and 1820M have better converters than the 1820(no M). For fifty quid, it's a false economy.

Yeah, I've just noticed this... very sad

Durk

harry_palmer · Post by **harry_palmer** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:32 am

If you go the breakout box you gotta go for the 1820M otherwise it is False Economy like Phaedo said.

You'd kicking yourself you didn't get the 1820M!!! The high end convertors are the main selling point.

If you are on a lower budget. If you just get the 1212M now then upgrade to the 1820M breakout box, it costs just about the same as getting the 1820M to start off with. I have read numerous tails of people getting the 1212M then taking it back to the shop exchanging it for the 1820M. I must admit I was pretty temtped when I got the 1212M to do the same just couldn't justify the cost.

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:37 am

Does anyone know how the breakout box connects to the card?

harry_palmer · Post by **harry_palmer** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:45 am

Phaedo wrote:Does anyone know how the breakout box connects to the card?

From the manual:

EDI Connector
Connects to the AudioDock using the supplied EDI
cable. This cable provides a a two-way data link
between the E-MU 1010 and the AudioDock as well as
supplying power to the AudioDock.

Essentially an EDI cable is a shielded CAT5 Network cable with RJ45 connetcors. On the main PCI board there is what looks like a network socket, thats where you plug it in.

I haven't got one but it sounds pretty tidy!

Harry

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:48 am

So, in other words, it's got the converter in the box?

harry_palmer · Post by **harry_palmer** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:56 am

Phaedo wrote:So, in other words, it's got the converter in the box?

As far as I know the connector comes in the Box. It would be a bit daft of EMU to sell the brakout box with no-way to connect it. Besides they have just renamed a standard network connector cable an "EDI Connector". Ain't marketing great.

If you want to know the full details then I would recommend downloading the manual from the EMU support site.

Harry

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:12 am

Sorry, what I mean is, the ADC is in the box, not on the card.

harry_palmer · Post by **harry_palmer** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 11:41 am

Phaedo wrote: Sorry, what I mean is, the ADC is in the box, not on the card.

I do appologise, I got crossed wires there, with connector vs converter.

Yes all the convertors are in the Box for the 1820m.

The 1212m comes with a second PCB (0202 Daughter card) that connects to the main PCI board (EMU 1010 PCI card) via a ribbon connector internally. This second board houses the 2ins 2outs and the midi I/O.

The 1820m doesn't come with this second board as all the outputs are on the AudioDock break out box. Apparently it is not possible to run the 0202 Card and the breakout box at the same time either.

Both the 1212m and the 1820(m) share the same main PCI card (EMU 1010). This houses the EMU-DSP processor for the mixer and FX. Connections wise this card has: Firewire, AudioDock EDI (RJ45), SPDIF I/O and ADAT/SPDIF optical I/O.

The 1820M also comes with a Sync daughter board, for SMPTE and Midi Time Code syncing.

You should check out the EMU site pdfs for more info. Also if you are based in the UK I would recommend going into Digital Village on a saturday as they do special weekend deals. Well thats what I got on my 1212m anyway. The in shop deals are never listed online.

enjoy

Harry

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 12:23 pm

Hmmm. If it was a firewire device, my life would be complete.

Durk · Post by **Durk** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 12:45 am

A Dutch store told me that they can't provide any E-MU 1212M, because their distributors don't deliver. They were talking about some kind of lawsuit Creative is in.

Anybody heard something similar? I didn't see any signs elsewhere, neither in the E-MU shop...

Once again the common question, what kind of sound card ...