Hello everyone.
I have some questions regarding an audio card.
Thing is, that I have a creative XFI xtreme gamer model, and I'm planning to buy a pair of ATH-M50X heaphones, which sounds great [at least this is what ppl on the i-net used to say]
I have no issues with this card, latency on ASIO drivers 2 is lowest possible [1.5ms using DJing software like deckadance], windows 7 64 bit drivers from PAX are stable as hell.
People used to say that this sound card is a crap, although I can't say the same, but I am a little bit worried about the sound quality it offers, especially when I am going to wear those monitoring headhphones, and I want best sound-to value possible, as I am keen on producing some electronic music.
38 OHMS headphones may require some built in amplifier or better DAC on the sound card/audio interface - what do you think ??? If so, then what kind of sound card would you suggest to me ? I am terribly confused, as I can't find proper answers on the net.
-What I need from the card is best sound quality possible for 150$ ~ value,
-I don't need mic amp and I am NOT going to record anything {like guitars and so on}
-All I want is to plug my axiom49 usb midi controller and operate 'inside the box' & be able to monitor the sound through the headphones, with best sound quality as I can get, for a small pile of money.
-Or maybe it is worthless to change the card, as those heaphones may just sound ok ?
What's your thought ? If you have some knowledge, then please, share it with me !
Sound card question
-
- KVRAF
- 8563 posts since 2 Aug, 2005 from Guitar Land, USA
Actually that card should have good sound quality, the reason people don't like that brand is most or all of them weren't specifically made for musicians, (low latency and stability under high loads)
I'd run it through tests of your usual workflow, since you already have it.
I'd run it through tests of your usual workflow, since you already have it.
The only site for experimental amp sim freeware & MIDI FX: http://runbeerrun.blogspot.com
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCprNcvVH6aPTehLv8J5xokA -Youtube jams
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCprNcvVH6aPTehLv8J5xokA -Youtube jams
-
- KVRAF
- 2065 posts since 14 Sep, 2004 from $HOME
First advice: never listen to what people on the net tell you about stuff. They usually tell you what *they* like, that is not necessarily what is best for you.
Thus follows the second advice: you usually have to try and decide for yourself. If your setup works for you, it is good even it is just a gamer sound card. It might just be that there are pretty much the same DACs in there as in the semi pro interfaces for $150. Not saying that it is, but there is nothing magic in DACs.
I a no specialist in headphones but afaik it is mostly higher-ohm cans that require a good powerful (= expensive) amp. Go plug the headphones in your phone, if you like the sound there you are good to go.
If your setup doesn't really work for you, any interface in your price range will do, but most of them usually have mic or instrument preamps. The quality of the converters is practically never the problem. Unstable and slow drivers are way more frustrating than maybe the last missing 0.01% sound quality.
Thus follows the second advice: you usually have to try and decide for yourself. If your setup works for you, it is good even it is just a gamer sound card. It might just be that there are pretty much the same DACs in there as in the semi pro interfaces for $150. Not saying that it is, but there is nothing magic in DACs.
I a no specialist in headphones but afaik it is mostly higher-ohm cans that require a good powerful (= expensive) amp. Go plug the headphones in your phone, if you like the sound there you are good to go.
If your setup doesn't really work for you, any interface in your price range will do, but most of them usually have mic or instrument preamps. The quality of the converters is practically never the problem. Unstable and slow drivers are way more frustrating than maybe the last missing 0.01% sound quality.
-
- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 2 posts since 30 Nov, 2014
Yeah, I'm trying to figure out what's the mith and what's not, and trust me. It is a hell of a pain while doing the research.
I guess my ear will have to be the judge and my CPU workload-to latency, but I will never know the difference, without comparing my xfi xtreme gamer with some more audio industry oriented product like Focusrite or E-MU's which I often read about.
I guess my ear will have to be the judge and my CPU workload-to latency, but I will never know the difference, without comparing my xfi xtreme gamer with some more audio industry oriented product like Focusrite or E-MU's which I often read about.
-
- KVRAF
- 2065 posts since 14 Sep, 2004 from $HOME
Trust me, it is really hard comparing audio stuff. For you not being biased by price and status ("pro") you have to do double blind tests which are practically impossible to set up correctly especially with head phones.kowal86 wrote:Yeah, I'm trying to figure out what's the mith and what's not, and trust me. It is a hell of a pain while doing the research.
I guess my ear will have to be the judge and my CPU workload-to latency, but I will never know the difference, without comparing my xfi xtreme gamer with some more audio industry oriented product like Focusrite or E-MU's which I often read about.
An example: I spent an hour testing different headphones earlier this year and even simply taking one off and putting another on and the feeling on the head changed my impression, not to speak of different loudness levels or the influence of the price tag. Do I have the best possible headphone now? Maybe, maybe not, but more importantly I have one that I like.
Don't focus too much on the interface. The most important parts for audio quality are 1. Your room (neglectable when using cans), 2. Your speakers or headphones (the ATH should be fine) and 3. workflow. Everything else (amps, preamps, DAC/ADC) comes much much later in the list especially when you don't intend to use microphones.