All user reviews for the Echo Audiofire 12

this is my current sound interface in 2021, it is borderline legendary, and i'm in the market for a second one!

win 7
echo audiofire 12 into via 1394 chipset
external preamps include focusrite isa one, tl audio 2051, aphex 207D, focusrite platinum channel strip.
mics include rode ntk, heil pr20, pr30, AT4033, AT4040, various others.

used as my primary home studio interface for two years now, with NO desire to change! i have one album production released on this unit, and 4 more scheduled over the next 2 years.

driver stability is borderline flawless, the windows based software is simple without losing functionality, and performance is legendary!! i even sandwiched this thing between the tl audio 2051 and the aphex 207D (a total of FOUR tubes between the two) and ran it for upwards of 6 hours of scratch tracking, just to see if i could make it thermally fail. i could not break it!

i started with 2x m-audio delta 1010's (on pci cards, not pci-e), but ended up swapping all those mid-fi channels for the tc electronic impact twin - which was no better but smaller and had two onboard preamps. that unit crapped out so i bought the echo audiofire 12 used for $100 as a temporary sound card to do basic DAW playback.

it turned out to be next level gear! i later discovered that it is on par with rme fireface, minus the preamps! once i learned about the gem i picked up ONLY due to circumstance, i quickly grabbed some decent mic preamps to really put this unit to the test.
because of the quality i was getting, the band i'm in chose to track at home instead of renting a proper studio. we slapped up some mediocre room treatment, and we were blown away at the fidelity we were getting! we upgraded the mediocre treatment to fairly good room treatment, and recorded our album!

there are NO mic preamps on this unit, but the line in's are surprisingly transparent and separated from each other! using 6 different mic preamps on the drums had no issues with electrical bleed. even blasting a metronome out from ANY of the output channels has pretty much zero electrical bleed into the inputs, but @ 24 bit 96 khz it is VERY easy to hear the metronome bleed from the headphones of the drummer in between playing. the noise floor is very low!

pros:
very simple 12x12 sound interface
pro class a/d conversion, almost pro class d/a conversion
fully routable with 1/4" trs patch cables (any in to any out)
super easy interfacing with win 7 in both ASIO and WDM
legendary stability
STILL is on the active mod list @ black lion audio
CHEAP because it's mostly ignored due to firewire & no mic pre's (most are sub-par on sound interfaces)
stackable up to 36 channels
insanely fast throughput: 2.9 ms @ 24/96khz, using 256 sample/buffer size
true realtime monitoring of any dry channel
has been ON for almost two years straight now, and IN USE for at least 6 hours per day, still runs perfectly! (i think there MIGHT be a total of 15 hours that it has been OFF in two years)

cons:
sometimes i have to turn it off and on again, if my pc was powered down for more than 20 mins or so. firewire is hotswappable though, so it works within 10 seconds of powering it back on. this ONLY happens when my pc is OFF for a while.
sometimes the WDM side gets hung up in windows and will stop movies and mixed media from playing (loses audio sync). the asio still works, but to get the wdm to work again i switch it from stereo to surround and back to stereo again, and windows will re-sync again. could also power it down and back on again.

some people might think that the firewire is a con, but now that thunderbolt 3 is standardized, it is very easy to run this on a new machine.
i have ZERO regrets with this unit, and i'm looking for a 2nd one to send to black lion audio for the mods so i can compare the two!

12 inputs and outputs FireWire 500 € (about) yes! With the possibility of chaining 3 = 36 inputs and outputs!

Connected to a mac (Logic) with firewire, it should of course add preamps but from my point of view this is an advantage because it gives the possibility to choose several different colors, different qualities ... choose your péamplis whatever.

So I can record 12 tracks at a time can go up to 192Khz. (Without the last update).

No problem to install it I had problem with cons of "clicks" strange noises. This is a problem ... I think buffer but can ruin a take.

Its default: no headphone output ... it would take at least one!

I would do this choice.

UTILIZATION

Stable drivers on mac
Logic 9 and it works. Audacity crunches (you must know where to change the buffer ...)
12 tracks simultaneously.

GETTING STARTED

No problem to install cons I mismanaged buffer sizes.

OVERALL OPINION

2 years.
I had several cards, and other ente motu I prefer my audience.

The +:
Good sound cheap
le-
No headphone output

Q / P: super!
I would reiterate yes. To mount as you have to put a lot of extra money.

I was looking for 16 ins 16 outs in jack for use directly out of my console, here is already 12! After 2 years of use, I think buying a 2nd switch for 24 in / out.
So I have a trident preamps with 16 plus 8 good preamps (neve, telefunken, through design, rft), no need preamp on my converter.

UTILIZATION

I use AC with reaper is stable with a very short latency (4ms? I know) you can get a 0 if listening with software echo (a small mixer that allows manage returns headphones enough if you do not use effect).
Well it crashes at startup when it gets too cold in the stud '... Prevoir time the piece!

GETTING STARTED

Everything works well and quickly, it is very simple. The site is comprehensive constructor.

OVERALL OPINION

Well, I had a digidesign 002 before that, the big problem was to move from a protools reaper, change sound card I did not pose any concern.
I like being able to freely configure the 12 outputs, stereo headsets 6, to monitor several forums, sending to the console for analog summing, etc ... The fact of being in jack only allows me to not get lost always seek a more gear ("hey, what I can put on my 2nd ADAT in?")
I think for the price, it's perfect. This is 5 times cheaper than the "pro" style prism or lynx, certainly less strong on the length, but I do not think its worth much difference. I'd love to hear ca moreover, a comparative test lynx / audio?! ..
A word salvation!

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
12 inputs and 12 outputs

For what purpose?
Com, live

With which instruments or systems (console, preamp, DtD ...) you use it and how connections?
Mackie 1402 VLZ3

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?
Never had any problems with windows 7

What software do you use most often?
ableton live

How many tracks you get to record / playback simultaneously?
12/12 but (6 stereo)

What latency you get?
8ms latency General

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problems?
yes

The general configuration is easy?
yes

Have you encountered any incompatibilities?
not

The manual is clear and sufficient?
yes

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using?
6 months

Did you try many other models before buying it?
Edirol UA25ex

What feature do you like most?
the number of inputs / outputs, price, quality converters, low latency routing possibilities

What feature do you like the least?
No headphone jack, the conversion rate remains at 96khz max with the latest firmware.

How do you rate the quality / price?
perfect

With experience, you do again this choice?
unhesitatingly

I recorded three albums with this card,
the sound is very good, as most interfaces today, but especially faciilité of use and stability, extremely simple to use, not a single crash after five days in the studio (4-6 hours per day 96khz) on can completely forget ..
The software always has free and easy download (mac or pc) on their site, installs quickly and without problem,
And even worst driving 100 miles there is no office, ca to switch to the action soon ..

For the fourth album I spent in motu .... every day new problems, very unstable, complicated interface neccesite much time to master card which put out if you have problems with mass (adapter on the motu, transformer internal echo) gain preamps very weird and then if you want to connect two together, hello galleys ... I've already seen similar problems with other cards, but very frankly with the echo that never happened

I regret having sold the echo to the motu, and I will return to this map, which in its simplicity can focus on MUSIC and not the computer

UTILIZATION

Yes

GETTING STARTED

Yes

OVERALL OPINION

Yes

Converters-very well made
Few-functions "gadget", we go straight to the essential
Construction-and high-quality finish
Console software-simple yet effective
I use it with a '08 and a prophet waldorf Q, in Live and Pro Tools. There is no digital connectivity, no preamp, no volume knob, just a on / off, 12 inputs and 12 outputs analog TRS jack 6.35 format, MIDI and wordclock two. It connects to the computer by firewire. Mac is a simplicity more than disconcerting, it is recognized by all the software I use. When you turn the computer automatically sets as the main exit. Level converters is very specific, very defined, both in terms of dynamics (32-bit, there is more headroom than the ear can cash), that of the stereo image. FHZ response is very correct, tuned it does not differentiate between a note played live on my synth through headphones, and the same note played through headphones after registration. Ultimately the only small criticism I can make it is that the mix lacks a bit of momentum.

UTILIZATION

No drivers, one branch, we lights, it works (OSX 10.6)

GETTING STARTED

Any inconsistency, or in Live or PT. Confituration ultra simplistic (SR, the word clock source)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for just over seven months and it's a real treat, the true professional gear, you can count on, despite the endless sessions it does not crash EVER. The converters are truly remarkable. An excellent compromise if you can do without integrated preamp and digital connectors.

please visit manufacturer:

it turns a PC with intel Corei7, 16 GB RAM, Windows 7

Namely: the last update does not allow recording 192Khz with windows 7 (at least with me), you must install one before that works as well, why? According to the manufacturer's fault to Microsoft. (Not surprising)

That said I have never registered 192kHz, given the volume of a project at this frequency ... Mp3 to finish anyway ...

UTILIZATION

Use: recording studio
I record, mix and mastered for almost a decade, as "amateur warned," I worked in several studios over the years I have accumulated preamps (Api, spl, Hearing, drawn, and manufacturing houses ...), so no need for preamps built into the card.
The choice of the latter was therefore quite fast, as it is almost the only one to offer only analog inputs / outputs. This has also allowed the brand to focus on the quality of the converter. it shows!

I could use in my young life, many other interfaces, M-Audio ProFire (FRO), TC Electronic Desktop (very well), Motu ultralite (bof preamps), Alesis IO I know not what (very blah ) PreSonus FireStudio (preamps very blah), RME Fireface (very well), etc ...

GETTING STARTED

installed in 2 minutes, no problems rolling!

OVERALL OPINION

I have this interface for a year, ideal for studio and live output consoles, 12in/out, ability to chain multiple maps, impeccable stability (it is the least we can ask ...), Virtual Console very well thought, simple and effective for multi monitor, via a mixing console, etc. ...
the converter are the level of RME, so go ahead with closed eyes and ears wide open

The 12 ins / outs motivated my choice. Also echo is a registered and I know that I was satisfied tjs.

UTILIZATION

Install ultra light, the driver is installed in 10 seconds (!), Plugge on the card and it works ...
Short as happiness. Virtual Console simple and clear, we will have the bulk and I like it!
For the manual, I know I have not even looked at. In any way there is no need!

GETTING STARTED

Drivers ok ok and stability, tested live successfully despite difficult conditions.
I use it with Live and Reaktor, down low latency, no worries!
The sound is top, dynamic and highly accurate. Nothing to be ashamed face a motu for example!
It is not my first map echo, the drivers are not updated in every 2 days, but that's because it works!

OVERALL OPINION

I for a week, but it was intense! I even live with one.
Among the missing is that it can be heated a little, but it's a good power supply that is in the house I guess I did a live ds room was a veritable oven without no problem, so it does not worry me particularly, is history quibble about something. Overall, this is a pretty expensive card, but of very good quality, very good sound quality, latency and soft carefree. In short, a sound card to make and not take the lead on something else. It is a card with no frills, it may seem expensive, but quality, ease of use and this is # of in / out make a great purchase for me.

12 in / outs on TRS.
Than analog, not ADAT, SPDIF and co.

A MIDI input.

From basic, but effective.

UTILIZATION

Super stable, good when I bought the drivers a bit shit but it was quickly corrected. Now really no problem. Solid stability on my motherboard (Asus P5Q).

GETTING STARTED

Install in 2 minutes, super easy. It installs the drivers, plug the firewire card is recognized it works.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for several years on various projects. Never at fault stability. The sound is not bad, I did not have much experience in the field. I compared my bass sound 100% passing in a string analogue and a conversion from analogue - digital and digital - analog (it's better to listen anyway!), There is not much difference . Maybe it is played more in the high frequencies at once.

On my BM6A, the medium is a little different hair, but really need to listen well.

A product that I recommend, very good value for money. There are better converters, I would like tater besides me, but ...

I bought a studio sound engineer friend with whom I worked several times,
So I was in familiar territory.

Studio use only, group metal and rock.
Recording guitars, drums, bass, vocals, piano, synthesizer, drum machine etc. ...
My kit has seen my page Audiofanzine!



UTILIZATION

I'm using Cubase SX 3 and everything is clear, simple, fast, all the drivers are not stable or bug restart.


GETTING STARTED

ease of installation and use child!

OVERALL OPINION

This is by far the best model I worked with!
Incomparable value for money!

These are the 12 ways that motivated my choice. sampling at 192 kHz is interesting but seriously I do not use it. I use this card with an analog console Alto L16 I had chosen for its interesting capabilities in this price range routing.
I use the card in a home studio to record everything: guitar, bass, drums, vocals.
I'm using a macbookpro core 2 duo 2.93 with 4 gigabytes of RAM and SSD 128 + FW 800 external drive Coy.

UTILIZATION

no worries drivers. you plug it works ...
I made 10-track simultaneous recording and playback at the moment.
I have not watched the latency ... no problem to save the battery which is my instrument and for which I'm pretty fussy.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is super-simple one branch and it works. no compatibility issues. no need for manual. Just a small note was quickly lifted by anxiety forums AF on the outlet. we receive a U.S. connection and esy question 115v. actually just buy a cord and the French supermarket AudioFire adapts itself to 220v. one point less for that ...

OVERALL OPINION

I have this card for 3 months. I've had for 3 years a Edirol FA 101 which I was very happy but I was limited to 8 microphones in the storming of the battery. echo map seems more neutral and slightly more metallic the Edirol.
what I love most: excellent value for money.
what I like least: the little anxiety when connecting to the sector's value.
I would do without this choice problem as much as these cards are chainable where 24 tracks at a lower cost.

My choice was made on 192 kHz (required) 24-bit cards in these chainent easily to a real studio computer music latest Ubuntu (GNU / Linux).
I tested the 12 on my computer AudioFire G31TM-P21 / E6600 2.4 GHz / 2 GB / 500 GB HDD in RAID 1 configuration successful in 192 kHz!
http://www.linuxmao.org/tikiwiki/tiki-index.php?page=echo+audiofire+12

This card will work later with the special computer computer music with Ardour on Ubuntu ... (Bi-quad Opteron 2.3 GHz / 16 GB / 4 SATA2 drives in RAID10 / 3 or 4 graphics cards dual-screen)
http://compositionsludovic.free.fr/projet_tyan_s2915a2nrf-e.php

While keeping the possibility of a second AudioFire 12 for a true 24-track I / O and any router with an analog console ... (If you consider 1 button = 1 function).
Meanwhile, the pilot is to start with a BCF2000 in Mackie mode.

UTILIZATION

Drivers are stable, I discussed the installation with Ubuntu 10.10 on the Linux computer music.
http://www.linuxmao.org/tikiwiki/tiki-index.php?page=echo+audiofire+12

Drivers are frequently updated on GNU / Linux when necessary. In this case, the card uses the driver ffado.
Latency of 4 ms at 192 kHz (256 samples per period / 3 periods per buffer), no Xrun. The lowest latency 1 ms at 192 kHz on Ubuntu Xrun few non-patched-RT (64 samples per pépriodes). Try with a core-RT!
Recording 12 tracks at 192 kHz with Ardour for instance.

(However, for trouble free use possible "super-computer computer music" will surely be totally isolated from the network.)

GETTING STARTED

Installation is easy, we did the procedure on Linux computer music. Note that the 192 kHz works for us! (Apparently Windows users have concerns)
http://www.linuxmao.org/tikiwiki/tiki-index.php?page=echo+audiofire+12

MIDI support is suspended ... apparently not yet supported by ffado for this card. It will ...

The configuration ... (Easy for me) seems relatively easy.

The manual ... A5 cardboard box in a CD with drivers for windows and mac I believe.

OVERALL OPINION

I use less than 24 hours.

I love the most: everything in this board AudioFire 12, it must be able to channel 7 or 8, Sygen Chain 4 cards AudioFire 12 under Ubuntu 10.10 for 48 tracks in a real word clock to 96 kHz ...

Value: one has for his money. I love