All user reviews for the ESI Quata-Fire 610

External sound card firewire compact and robust. 4 IN, 6 OUT, S / PDIF IN / OUT, 2 MIDI IN, 2 MIDI OUT. Trs versatile with a high impdance between a diet with between fantme and a switch mic / line. Sufficient connection, except may be the IN 3 / 4 in CAR. Pramplificateurs correct for a map of this type, with adjustable gain faade. 1 / 3 rack, no center screw. No second take for a possibly chaining firewire (no scroll).

UTILIZATION

Premire disturbing installation without using the manual unclear. Exprience with it is no problem. No incompatibility known if this is a bug with Nero Burning Rom, closing the software broadcasts the sound card Fawn ax. Off / On and off again like before ... Configuration panel and gnrale CONTRL simple.

GETTING STARTED

Drivers stable but old ... I use it with Reason, Wavelab, Adobe Audition and a few VST. Latency is perfectly correct to satisfy me, 8 ms. The card is trs stable, even with large compositions in Reason, also with large VST.

Edit: still no day set of drivers.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 years. I like its compactness, versatility, it is sturdy. What I like least is between the 3 / 4 in CAR. What motivated my purchase is the price and connectivity varies, it offered more according to the opinions that sound better direct competitors, including the era, the firewire 410. The report price is good quality, the bill is strong, compact card that was not afraid to dplacer. With the exprience I would do not have that choice but I would opt for something more professional probably ddi software. To start or for multiple uses like my trs beginners with it, this card is a good choice nanmoins.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

Audiofanzine notices to three years ago when I bought it. 350 Euro promo.
Its multiple inputs and outputs, its compact size and robustness, when it was in the hands we feel that it is solid and well made.

For what purpose?

Mao and home studio. Recording guitar, voice, sound outside with a laptop, etc ...

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?

I use this "map" with a PowerMac G4 Cube 450 mhz 1.5 GB RAM, 120 GB 7200 rpm. But I also used a MacMini G4, a Power Mac G4 tower, PowerMac G5, iMac G5, macbook two (s), a Powerbook G4, a HP laptop, Sony VAIO two (s) and an iBook G3 466 SE.

With which instruments or systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) you use it and how connections? ...

I use both of quatafire XLR inputs, which I plug the output of my master console Mackie VLZ pro. Used with different microphones, Apex 435, 565SD Shure, Sennheiser ME66, Shure SM58, or instruments like Fender Start, Cort, Toys "circuitbendés", or cassette tape recorders, turntables ...
The outputs of the card allows me to swing tracks LIVE, LOGIC, CUBASE, or instruments and effects PUREDATA to the table, and back on a stereo track mix general.

She has always met my needs and varied.

UTILIZATION

The installation is done it without problems?

Except in my iBook G3 SE Mac OS X is reconu natively. Not need the "driver" who do not have one, it is a "control panel" which allows you to select the sampling frequency and levels of inputs and outputs. He still has an interest!
Windows XP, again no problem. But then, does it still have a firewire controller in its stable machine ...

Have you experienced any incompatibilities?

Well, yes. First one of my ibook. I plug the card, I turn it on, and as soon as I seek, hear launching PUREDATA example (this applies to other software using the audio), and then kernel panic!
The computer plant consistently, I think it's a weak processor, more than the Firewire controller.
XP Finally, XP is not problematic, but the machine used. Under a VAIO, the card is recognized without any problems even with Audacity, which does not recognize Mac OS X. For a sub against HP, at least the one I used is total misery! Impossible to recognize the card unstable maximum.
To respond to negative reviews of this card, I would say from my experience this card is stable, strong and effective, after the negative points of this map is that it is demanding. Indeed, with a crappy HP or an old IBOOK she plants. In this case the map is not to be changed ...

The general configuration is easy?

Yes, the control panel with no problems.

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

RAS

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are stable?

All dépant the controller of the machine, so yes.

They are often updated?

No, absolutely not, but it's not necessary.

What software do you use most often?

PUREDATA / CUBASE SX 1 / 5 LIVE / LOGIC EXPRESS 4

What you get lag?

Between 4 and 10 ms, but my old G4 (450MHz) follows easily from 4 ms. If the latency is not audible. Fgaut know it set the "buffer" of its software. Under PUREDATA is pure bliss ...

How many tracks you get to record / play time? ...

All ... The stereo recording from a mixer is very comfortable.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?

It's going to make two and a half years or three years.

What is so special that you like most and least?

It is solid and reliable, the preamps are not exceptional, but it is well made, it is also very compact.

The less the original price of 400 euros 50 euros seems too expensive when it came out, but hey I got to 350 ...
The RCA inputs and outputs, a shame not to have that jack ...

How would you rate the quality / price?

Normal when it came out, but not to "defy all competition."
Today it still costs 400 euros in some stores and it seems too excessive.
This equipment must be bought used. I put 8 in the prices of new and for the connection.

With experience, you do again this choice?

Yes and no.
Yes because it is a very good card to begin Music and home studio, but buying opportunity, taking care to test it with his equipment (note valid for any computer product).
No, because now there are cards as well for less.
Anyway so I keep it, and I would complete my home studio with an RME Fireface 400 Used.