I have used both emu and m-audio interfaces for a long time (and some others).
I have found that M-Audio are more reliable, have better drivers, and work with fewer problems with more programs.
I do NOT like the complexity of the emu audio app (forget what it is called) though it is feature-rich. I would avoid an DSP "on the interface" that the emu line offers.
I just recently switched BACK to an Maudio 2496 (PCI) from an emu 1212m (PCI) and the 2496 is rock-solid. I also have M-audio's cheapest USB interface for my laptop, and it works well (though I would recommend getting the next model up, or even looking at their new USB2.0 interfaces).
With a mic as nice as that Rode, I feel you need some kind of "real" tube pre-amp. There are lots of fairly inexpensive ones, almost anything you get is going to sound warmer and fatter than what comes on these low-end USB audio interfaces.
bang for bucks home studio combination?
-
- KVRian
- 1116 posts since 22 Apr, 2005 from Nashville, TN USA
-
- KVRAF
- 3846 posts since 15 Mar, 2002 from Underworld
Excellent suggestions Hybernation. Got nothing to add 
.
About monitors... yep, KRKs and Tannoys are beautifying the sound, but that's not the point. If you like them, you'll make better mixes. Generally speaking, people who'd like their mixes to sound more "middly" should buy "beautifying" monitors and people who'd like their mixes to sound "beautified" should buy "middly" monitors, as while you mix, you're always trying to compensate for the lacking frequencies in your monitors. So the perfect monitors are the ones you like best, which is especially important when talking about budget monitors.
I personally like my mixes to sound a bit "big" and "beautified", but not too much, so I'm not even thinking about KRKs or Tannoys or Genelecs for that matter, even though new Genelecs sound quite good IMO, old models were more beautifying, hated them.
In general, a mid solution is Dynaudio BM 6A or 15A
. They're a bit beautifying, but not too much. Quite precise, very broad frequency response, especially 15A. However, I think BlueSky System One monitors are DaShit for me, very accurate, like them to the bone, excellent drivers, sealed boxes [no bass reflex BS], but they cost a bit too much, comparably to Dynaudio BM15A's.
Cheers!
.About monitors... yep, KRKs and Tannoys are beautifying the sound, but that's not the point. If you like them, you'll make better mixes. Generally speaking, people who'd like their mixes to sound more "middly" should buy "beautifying" monitors and people who'd like their mixes to sound "beautified" should buy "middly" monitors, as while you mix, you're always trying to compensate for the lacking frequencies in your monitors. So the perfect monitors are the ones you like best, which is especially important when talking about budget monitors.
I personally like my mixes to sound a bit "big" and "beautified", but not too much, so I'm not even thinking about KRKs or Tannoys or Genelecs for that matter, even though new Genelecs sound quite good IMO, old models were more beautifying, hated them.
In general, a mid solution is Dynaudio BM 6A or 15A
. They're a bit beautifying, but not too much. Quite precise, very broad frequency response, especially 15A. However, I think BlueSky System One monitors are DaShit for me, very accurate, like them to the bone, excellent drivers, sealed boxes [no bass reflex BS], but they cost a bit too much, comparably to Dynaudio BM15A's.Cheers!
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. - Jiddu Krishnamurti
-
- KVRAF
- 3846 posts since 15 Mar, 2002 from Underworld
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. - Jiddu Krishnamurti
-
- KVRian
- 570 posts since 30 Jul, 2006
Someone is selling his used TANNOY FUSION 2 speakers. I do music on my pc as a hobby.But would like my tracks to sound better and less amateurish .The comp speakers I have, are misleading in the output. I have been trying to mix with my akg k55 headphones. The tracks sound different on different speakers. I am not very familiar with the technical requirements of a speaker for music production on a computer. Can anybody tell me whether I can buy the TANNOY FUSION 2 for music production on my computer? I have the Echo Mia Midi sound card on my comp. Will the TANNOY FUSION 2 speakers color my track unnecessarily ? I do not have access or choice of many speakers and the sale seems to be an attractive offer.Any particular defects/signs to look for while buying the used one? An early response would help a lot.
thanks in advance.
shrikant
thanks in advance.
shrikant
-
- KVRAF
- 3846 posts since 15 Mar, 2002 from Underworld
Tannoy's are usually a bit too hyped at mid highs and upper lows [for my taste], and they don't go very low, so your mixes will reflect that - they'll lack a bit of those, however these are really good monitors, and if the price is right... IME Tannoy's are one of those "love them or hate them" affairs...
Just take a goood listen to them with the music you think sounds as similar to what you're doing as possible, and if you really like them - buy them. Assuming you've heard at least a few of other monitors before, of course, so you can compare.
Cheers!
Just take a goood listen to them with the music you think sounds as similar to what you're doing as possible, and if you really like them - buy them. Assuming you've heard at least a few of other monitors before, of course, so you can compare.
Cheers!
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. - Jiddu Krishnamurti
-
- KVRian
- 570 posts since 30 Jul, 2006
Thanks for the reply. If you have to choose between creative t20 and tannoy fusion which will you choose ? I do not have the luxury of listening and comparing the sound output of these in order to decide. your opinion would help very much.DuX wrote:Tannoy's are usually a bit too hyped at mid highs and upper lows [for my taste], and they don't go very low, so your mixes will reflect that - they'll lack a bit of those, however these are really good monitors, and if the price is right... IME Tannoy's are one of those "love them or hate them" affairs...
Just take a goood listen to them with the music you think sounds as similar to what you're doing as possible, and if you really like them - buy them. Assuming you've heard at least a few of other monitors before, of course, so you can compare.
Cheers!
-
- KVRist
- 68 posts since 16 Sep, 2007
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan07/a ... mu0404.htm
Sound on Sound's review of the 0404 USB. Seems a bit different animal than their previous cards...no Patchmix, no onboard DSP. No big loss, Emu aren't reknowned for their effects for a reason.
Your proposed set-up looks good to me. Another mic you might want to look at is the Karma Audio K58 tube condenser. Good workhorse, and tube mics sound so good with vocals. That soundcard you mentioned has preamps with phantom power. Down the line you could always get a standalone preamp if you didn't like the results of the onboard preamps. The Studio Projects VTB-1 is a good performer for the money.
If those Yamahas are anything like my Event TR8s, they will have very good bass projection. With 5" or 6" monitors you might find the bass lacking, but this isn't the case with my TR8s.
Sound on Sound's review of the 0404 USB. Seems a bit different animal than their previous cards...no Patchmix, no onboard DSP. No big loss, Emu aren't reknowned for their effects for a reason.
Your proposed set-up looks good to me. Another mic you might want to look at is the Karma Audio K58 tube condenser. Good workhorse, and tube mics sound so good with vocals. That soundcard you mentioned has preamps with phantom power. Down the line you could always get a standalone preamp if you didn't like the results of the onboard preamps. The Studio Projects VTB-1 is a good performer for the money.
If those Yamahas are anything like my Event TR8s, they will have very good bass projection. With 5" or 6" monitors you might find the bass lacking, but this isn't the case with my TR8s.