E-MU 1820m

Guitar Center, Portland OR, $499.99

Having same A/D processors as the Digidesign 002 at a budget price, ease of use, FANTASTIC manual, easy to install, great software package - really a one-stop recording studio in a box (assuming you have a computer already). Best of all (for us PC users) is that it really seems to be built to work for PC as well as it does for Mac. Running on a 2.0 P4 w/ 512 Mg of RAM = screaming performance so far...

Design of breakout box makes the front panel hard to see - would be nice to see sync daughter board made so it doesn't use up a PCI slot.

The design of this unit is really well done throughout - one really nice feature is that the breakout box is hot-swappable, making it easy to reposition or replug if you need to change it while recording. The Patchmix DSP software *main mixing software* is so easy to understand, totally configurable beyond your wildest dreams!

This unit was designed for either the mid-level studio that wants to sound high-level. It is a smart, user-friendly and easy to use package, from the hardware to the powerful software that is included *Cubasis VST*. It is tremendously easy to install and set up for use. I would suggest this is a fantastic product for either a first-time user of computer-based recording, or for

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

With the 1820M we aren't talking about what features it's got, but what it hasn't got! Which is basicaly nothing. It has everything! Check the specs! Only thing it could have done with would be a few extra RCA inputs, obviously you can still input and output to RCA with a 1/4" mono jack to RCA. So not realy anything to cry about. One thing which realy is a TRUE bonus is the phono input, ground lug and RIAA turntable pre-amp. Allowing direct turntable to audio interface connection, this is PERFECT for sampling vinyl. I is a huge bonus to not have to pass through a mixer, or pre-amp, as this only degrades signal quality. If you want to sample from vinyl, I strongly suggest this. ASIO 2 super low latencies when producing is a definate plus also, ASIO 2 adds support for direct zero latency monitoring, another bonus.

Price paid

£285 / $600

UTILIZATION

Extremely easy to set up, stick the two sound cards in the PC, connect the breakout box to the sound card, turn on, install drivers and you done! Then we get to the Patchmix software. When you first start using this you might find it a little hard to adapt to for a day or two. This is due to it's incredible routing capabilities and this is defintely worth the slow start. Once you get to grips with Patchmix you'll soon be routing audio all over the place within seconds.

GETTING STARTED

Haven't to get it repaired so far, but I haven't had it too long, but, when you pick up the break-out box, you can feel the build quality. Everything, including the cable to link the break-out box to the sound card is exeptionaly sturdy. The break-out box feels very solid and the ins and outs are of exeptional build quality, all gold plated too, as you would expect. A big 10/10 for this one. E-MU haven't put a foot wrong here.

OVERALL OPINION

The sound quality is just... well... how can we put this? ermmm... you can't! Can't think of a word... it is that good. Honestly. We are talkin the same A/D converters as Pro Tools flagship system! 120dB SNR on the inputs an outputs all accepting Balanced signal. They haven't compromised on the mic pre-amps, XLR phantom powered British made TFPro pre-amps, huge amounts of gain and they double as 1/4" instrument/line-level inputs.

The love factor? Well, I was stumped at what to say here. I thought of what to say again, and then realised that I wouldn't want to live/produce without it. It really is a weapon of mass destruction, if you know what I mean! It really is the doggies nuts! It's one of those things that, once you get it, you will not want to live without it again. And the value for money is the highest ranking of ANY product on the pro audio market to date, even at it's retail price, and I was luaghing when I found it for £285! By the way, basicaly all this applies to the non M version too. Quite simply, the best buy of this decade and beyond. Could another pro audio company REALLY match what E-MU and Creative Professional has done here?

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: OG Mike (January 1-, 2005)

For an up start, I can't see anything missing. The studio package allows you to get up and creating ASAP.

Price paid

$550.00

UTILIZATION

One has to jump through more than a few hoops to get this card installed, more than a bit of trail and error. However once everything is complete harmony (I say it lightly), it runs well and definitley will suit your needs.

GETTING STARTED

No problems. Not yet (knock on wood)

OVERALL OPINION

Very high sound quality. You get what is there all the time. The only thing that would not the sound quality donw a notch would be the driver and a system not tweaked for audio.

After moving all my audio programs to my second drive, i'm finally experiencing problem free music making. As a result, I must say i'm loving the card just a little bit more.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: gb4double ( 4-, 2006)