It's time to buy a sound card...
I'm preferring the US122 because of it's portability being external/USB, but it's got a max of ~100db S/N. The Emu 404 is internal, has 111db (!) S/N and is 1/2 the cost, but obviously lacks the ability to go to a PC, or if I'm on the road to throw down ideas into a laptop.
Anybody know if the range from 100-111 in S/N is actually meanngful?
Anyone actually have good (or bad) luck with either of these cards?
Thanks,
- Paul
Tascam US122 & Traction (vs Emu 404)
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
I recently helped a friend grab a soundcard. Granted, the options weren't that many because he HAD to have a USB solution, but we ended up with the US-122.
Be aware that your bit rates and depths will be limited on the US-122, due in part to the fact that it's a USB 1.1 (as opposed to 2.0) device. I believe you could only choose 44.1 or 48k rate, with 24-bit depth standard. Other than that, it seemed like a pretty good device.
For the SNR question, I dunno what to tell you other than that any noise on the EMU will likely originate at your mixer, not at the card; so, the EMU's SNR isn't really much of a factor. Unless you have a mixer that has a similarly specced noise ratio, any benefits will be lost. On the other hand, for the Tascam, that SNR is tested with the pre-amps that are part of the unit.
Which brings us to the next point, which is that the EMU does not have any pre-amps, making the purchase of a mixer necessary, and adding to the initial 'cheaper' price.
Having looked at both cards, I'd still go for the EMU in my desktop; however, the deciding factor for you will probably be whether you seriously plan to go mobile or not. If your mobile work is just scratch-pad, non-final type stuff, you might be able to get away with your soundcard's mic input and some ASIO4ALL drivers.
Greg
Be aware that your bit rates and depths will be limited on the US-122, due in part to the fact that it's a USB 1.1 (as opposed to 2.0) device. I believe you could only choose 44.1 or 48k rate, with 24-bit depth standard. Other than that, it seemed like a pretty good device.
For the SNR question, I dunno what to tell you other than that any noise on the EMU will likely originate at your mixer, not at the card; so, the EMU's SNR isn't really much of a factor. Unless you have a mixer that has a similarly specced noise ratio, any benefits will be lost. On the other hand, for the Tascam, that SNR is tested with the pre-amps that are part of the unit.
Which brings us to the next point, which is that the EMU does not have any pre-amps, making the purchase of a mixer necessary, and adding to the initial 'cheaper' price.
Having looked at both cards, I'd still go for the EMU in my desktop; however, the deciding factor for you will probably be whether you seriously plan to go mobile or not. If your mobile work is just scratch-pad, non-final type stuff, you might be able to get away with your soundcard's mic input and some ASIO4ALL drivers.
Greg
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Robert Randolph Robert Randolph https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7328 - KVRAF
- 2226 posts since 25 May, 2003 from Saint Petersburg, Florida
If you wanna wait a few days, I JUST bought a us-122 to lug around on battery-powered acoustic jams... Ill have it thursday so I can give you a good review on it.
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- KVRAF
- 2009 posts since 9 Apr, 2003 from Cornwall, UK
I've just brought the Edirol ua-25. It has a better spec than than the us-122 but I've yet to give a proper test. I'll let you know.
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- KVRian
- 1223 posts since 11 Aug, 2004 from France
i have the US-122 for 8 months... it's a good sound card in theory, but in practice that has some little problems...
First, the latency is not very great, i can't go under 14 ms with some hosts, and with others the limit is 18 or 20 ms
And there is a problem in every US-122 i have tested. The components of the soundcard are very bad, and there is a leak between the input and the output... if you connect a phone in one output, and turn the volume control of it into the maximum, you will get a leak at -30/-40 dB of everything which is played during a recording. And if you use an ampli simulation for a guitar, and turn on the distorsion effect, you will listen to the playback on the recording in a very high level !
It's not a joke, i have tested 10 Tascam US-122 at the store, there is the same problem. So, you have to use a noise gate with guitars directly connected, and you have to disconnect the phones and put the volume of it to the minimum when you are recording something to have no problems.
If I was you, i should take for example an M-Audio Firewire, if you really want to have an extern soundcard, and buy a preamp like the TubePre with it
First, the latency is not very great, i can't go under 14 ms with some hosts, and with others the limit is 18 or 20 ms
And there is a problem in every US-122 i have tested. The components of the soundcard are very bad, and there is a leak between the input and the output... if you connect a phone in one output, and turn the volume control of it into the maximum, you will get a leak at -30/-40 dB of everything which is played during a recording. And if you use an ampli simulation for a guitar, and turn on the distorsion effect, you will listen to the playback on the recording in a very high level !
It's not a joke, i have tested 10 Tascam US-122 at the store, there is the same problem. So, you have to use a noise gate with guitars directly connected, and you have to disconnect the phones and put the volume of it to the minimum when you are recording something to have no problems.
If I was you, i should take for example an M-Audio Firewire, if you really want to have an extern soundcard, and buy a preamp like the TubePre with it
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- KVRer
- 22 posts since 2 May, 2002 from Tatooine, Outer Rim
not on 122.. but I had A US-428 on my DAW, sold.
Not satisfied.
1.USB 1.0
This is good only if u plan on working 100% audio, if u think about audio/MIDI or MIDI only (VSTs etc,etc)..latency will kill u, not fast enough.
2.Mics
Make sure u plug them always via XLR cables, otherwise the signal will be way2low.
I've moved on and got myself a mixer and an EmulatorX s.card/sampler bundle. top notch. no latency with full midi/audio environment.
For laptop use, I think the idea of going M.Audio for a portable solution could do.
BUT, make sure u get something with firewire port (USB banned
). THis way u will get a good data transfer.
Check if ur laptop has 1. its Much better.
thats all..
bye
Not satisfied.
1.USB 1.0
This is good only if u plan on working 100% audio, if u think about audio/MIDI or MIDI only (VSTs etc,etc)..latency will kill u, not fast enough.
2.Mics
Make sure u plug them always via XLR cables, otherwise the signal will be way2low.
I've moved on and got myself a mixer and an EmulatorX s.card/sampler bundle. top notch. no latency with full midi/audio environment.
For laptop use, I think the idea of going M.Audio for a portable solution could do.
BUT, make sure u get something with firewire port (USB banned
). THis way u will get a good data transfer.Check if ur laptop has 1. its Much better.
thats all..
bye
'Only sick music makes money today.'
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
Good lord...
The Firewire 410 is roughly 3X the price, or as little as 2X the price if you are good at sourcing...
The EmulatorX, who knows how much more...
Suggestions should be within the scope and budget of the person asking for advice. I think we're all aware of solutions that cost more and will therefore likely perform better.
Greg
The Firewire 410 is roughly 3X the price, or as little as 2X the price if you are good at sourcing...
The EmulatorX, who knows how much more...
Suggestions should be within the scope and budget of the person asking for advice. I think we're all aware of solutions that cost more and will therefore likely perform better.
Greg
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Robert Randolph Robert Randolph https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7328
- KVRAF
- 2226 posts since 25 May, 2003 from Saint Petersburg, Florida
I just received mine in the mail 3 hours ago. Im getting ready to give it a good test now!
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Robert Randolph Robert Randolph https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7328
- KVRAF
- 2226 posts since 25 May, 2003 from Saint Petersburg, Florida
Nothing thorough to review. It works on multiple computers perfectly. Latency is decent...
There is a problem with crosstalk, but only if you crack the gain on the mic/line/guitar ins a lot. And even then it's -60db. Which is reasonable for such a device.
All in all I like it, works great, sound is what you'd expect for the price... certainly better the audiphile or audigy (in the same price range).
Got mine for 169usd brand new off ebay with free 2day shipping.
There is a problem with crosstalk, but only if you crack the gain on the mic/line/guitar ins a lot. And even then it's -60db. Which is reasonable for such a device.
All in all I like it, works great, sound is what you'd expect for the price... certainly better the audiphile or audigy (in the same price range).
Got mine for 169usd brand new off ebay with free 2day shipping.
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- KVRAF
- 12977 posts since 29 Sep, 2003 from Ottawa, Canada
Anybody mention that it comes with a tuner in its control panel? 
I know.. there are VST and standalone programs that can do this, too...
But I thought it was a handy feature!
Greg
I know.. there are VST and standalone programs that can do this, too...
But I thought it was a handy feature!
Greg
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- KVRian
- 1223 posts since 11 Aug, 2004 from France
Nobody believes i see
Do what i say with your Tascam, put a phone on the phone output, move up the volume of it to the max, and launch a record of silence with a playback at good level, with the high impedance turned on, and the volume of the input at 75%... you will listen to your playback !
Do what i say with your Tascam, put a phone on the phone output, move up the volume of it to the max, and launch a record of silence with a playback at good level, with the high impedance turned on, and the volume of the input at 75%... you will listen to your playback !
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Robert Randolph Robert Randolph https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7328
- KVRAF
- 2226 posts since 25 May, 2003 from Saint Petersburg, Florida
I agreed. But it only occurs if you max the input, and the volume is around -65 even for very loud sounds.Wolfen666 wrote:Nobody believes i see
Do what i say with your Tascam, put a phone on the phone output, move up the volume of it to the max, and launch a record of silence with a playback at good level, with the high impedance turned on, and the volume of the input at 75%... you will listen to your playback !
There should be little reason to be recording with the volume so high anyways. And most tape machines have a crosstalk much higher than that depening on circumstances, so it's very workable for what the product is intended for.
The only thing similiar in the price range (usb-powered, mic pre's, midi) is the novation speedio and Ive heard many bad reviews for it.
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- KVRer
- 2 posts since 7 Sep, 2004
I've just ordered the Edirol UA25, was very close to buying the Novation speedio but in the end I liked the metal case.
So what bad reviews have you heard on the Speedio? I tried searching for reviews ut couldnt find any.
As for the M-Audio firewire card, the thing is that with a laptop with a 4-pin firewire port, you have to use an external power adapter to make it run, as only 6-pin firewire ports provide power. This is kind of a hassle and I wanted something that would run "out in the sticks" with no external power. That means USB and as there are no small oxes running USB 2, it meant USB 1.1. I hope that the latency will be tolerable. We will see
So what bad reviews have you heard on the Speedio? I tried searching for reviews ut couldnt find any.
As for the M-Audio firewire card, the thing is that with a laptop with a 4-pin firewire port, you have to use an external power adapter to make it run, as only 6-pin firewire ports provide power. This is kind of a hassle and I wanted something that would run "out in the sticks" with no external power. That means USB and as there are no small oxes running USB 2, it meant USB 1.1. I hope that the latency will be tolerable. We will see
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- KVRAF
- 2009 posts since 9 Apr, 2003 from Cornwall, UK
I've got the UA-25, and though I haven't given it an in depth test, it certainly seems stable, clean and has low latancy (6.5 ms on my 1ghz latop).hope that the latency will be tolerable.
The thing to watch for me was a ground hum that was caused by lack of earth on the laptop power supply IBM T23 (2 pin).
Also you need to set the latency from the ASIO contol panel and then move the tracktion latency slider to minimum.
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- KVRer
- 2 posts since 7 Sep, 2004
Thanks for the fast reply. It's encouraging to hear the box works well. That's a very impressive latency figure. My laptop is a 1.6GHz Pentium Mobile so hopefully it perform as well as yours.
I've had that low hum before on a metal mixer linked into my audiophile 2496. I had to keep my bare foot on the box to get rid of the hum when recording, nice high tech solution there. The plug on my laptop PS is 3 pin so hopefully this wont be a problem.
Is there any problem with moving the latency slider all the way down? Does it cause dropouts?
I've had that low hum before on a metal mixer linked into my audiophile 2496. I had to keep my bare foot on the box to get rid of the hum when recording, nice high tech solution there. The plug on my laptop PS is 3 pin so hopefully this wont be a problem.
Is there any problem with moving the latency slider all the way down? Does it cause dropouts?