Echo Gina3G

(Originally written by Udun/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Interesting features:

- PCI card + external rack

- 2 analog inputs (mic, instrument preamps, ...)

- 3 RCA analog outputs

- Midi In/Out

- Multiclient

I use it to produce demos, to record instruments (guitar, synth, etc.) and VSTi via Midi. Good-quality sound compared to basic sound cards, good-sounding preamp for guitar...

I have a small critique regarding the analog outs if you plan to use several audio applications at the same time (like Cubase, Reason, Windows Media Player, etc.)... The sound card doesn't have a monitoring output for headphones or monitors. You'll have to add a small mixer connected to the main sound card outputs. A guy from customer support recommended this setup.

UTILIZATION

No installation problems if you follow the indications in the user's manual: install the driver first, then the PCI card and then the rack.

No incompatibility. The setting is ultra easy. Everything worked fine from the start.

The user's manual is clear but not up to date anymore.

GETTING STARTED

Very reliable driver. I've had no crashes in 2 months of intensive use (Cubase, recording, music playback). You can find updated drivers on Echo's website. You can feel some latency (6 ms) with some VSTi but it is short enough for most applications.

OVERALL OPINION

My first sound card was a Presonus Firebox. I brought it back to the store to get a refund because it was not stable. The audio quality was good but I had lots of audio drop outs. (See review on Audiofanzine).

So I decided to get a PCI sound card instead of a firewire one. The stability is much better. And Echo's customer support answers immediately, unlike Presonus'.

In spite of the lack of a monitoring output this sound card has a very good value for money. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.

System PCI-X Card + External Casing.
2 universal among mic / guitar / line: dynamic range of 110dB.
VU meters.
Rotary potentiometers.
Phantom power.
6 symmetrical output at 6.35 Jack Format: dynamic range of 114dB.
+ 4dBu / -10dBV nominal levels.
Among / Output S / PDIF (coaxial optics &) 24-bit / 96kHz.
Between / ADAT.
Between / MIDI output.
Stro headphone output with volume knob of rglage.
Sync via S / PDIF, ADAT, or MTC.
Support for 10 channels in and 14 output channels.
Casing aluminum.
Cable 8 'PC connection.
Software console for monitoring and rglage map.
Drivers ASIO 2.0, GSIF 2.0, WDM, Core Audio & CoreMIDI.
Management of surround sound 5.1 & 7.1, compatible with standards AC3, DTS, and WMA9 through S / PDIF outputs.
SuperChannel technology to share the entries / exits between several applications.
-------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------

Sound card used for recording guitars and vocals as well as VST Midi keyboard.
My config: AMD 1.3 billion, 512 MB RAM, 2 discs 80 and 40GB IDE all under Windows XP.

The characteristics of this card are very good for my use (nothing to do with my prcdednte Guillemot Isis Card)

USE

Nickel chrome Installation .In 5 minutes, PCI card, cable, limp and drivers were installed.
Pass it took a little more time on the paramtrage outputs.

No incompatibility with PCI port or my other cards!

IMPLEMENTATION

Echo drivers are very stable.

I mainly use VST32 Cubase, Wavelab, Sound forge, sometimes Acid Pro and Cool Edit Pro.
This little world is understood very well.
At latency (very very important for the VSTI-controlling) .We easily falls below the 10ms bar (depending on the adjustment of the size of your buffer!)

NOTICE GLOBAL

I have this card for 2 months now .All except for me may be the qualitfinition the housing (plastic potentiometers that rub slightly, not much access to the headphone volume knob when the branch headphones .The seen meter can help if you have nothing other .Echo could add 1 or 2 LEDs!)

Malgrs this, if c'tait again, I would take this card!

PC Vista 32 / Intel Quad 2.40 / 4GB ram / Cubase 5
Used to record microphone or MIDI.
Advised by reliable sound engineer friend.
First map (thus incompetent to compare with others)

UTILIZATION

Drivers nickel. 2 updated since 01/2010. also works well after install before. No problem with Cubase 5. Imperceptible latency effect unless large insert (eg. Disto of plug-edged guitar. Electrical: offset to listen to a few milliseconds. The final file is stalled, it's just listening to it is difficult ).
I did not notice limit currently tracks (up to 25 then 20 pm)

GETTING STARTED

Immediate installation. No bug. Fully compatible and easily configurable with Cubase 5. Manual simple and clear.

OVERALL OPINION

Installation, operation, results, absolutely no problem with this card for 2 years for heavy use.
Note: Cubase 5 v1.00 working fine, I've never updated. So my remarks compatibility for Cubase 5 are for the version 1.0 software Steinberg.

Systm + PCI-X External Casing.
2 universal inputs mic / guitar / line: dynamic range of 110dB.
VU meters.
Potentiomtres rotary.
Fantme power.
6 symtrique output format Jack 6.35: dynamic range of 114dB.
+4 DBu /-10dBV nominal Levels.
I / O S / PDIF (coaxial & optical) at 24-bit/96kHz.
ADAT I / O.
MIDI in / out.
Stereo headphone output with volume knob of rglage.
Sync via S / PDIF, ADAT, or MTC.
Support 10 input channels and 14 output channels.
Aluminum Casing.
Cable 8 'PC connection.
Software console for monitoring and SETTING THE card.
ASIO 2.0, GSIF 2.0, WDM, CoreAudio & CoreMIDI.
Management of surround sound in 5.1 & 7.1, compatible with the standards AC3, DTS, & WMA9 output through S / PDIF.
Technology SuperChannel to share I / O between multiple applications.
-------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------

Sound card used for recording guitars and vocals as well as by VSTI midi keyboard.
My config: AMD 1.3 G, 512 MB RAM, 2 40GB IDE drives 80 and all under Windows XP.

CHARACTERISTICS The rev of the card are good for my use (nothing to do with my card prcdednte Guillemot Isis)

UTILIZATION

Installation nickel chrome. In 5 minutes, PCI card, cable, drivers and limp taient install.
We had to pass a little more time on the paramtrage outputs.

No incompatibility with PCI or my other cards!

GETTING STARTED

Echo trs drivers are stable.

I mainly use Cubase VST32, Wavelab, Soundforge, sometimes Acid Pro and Cool Edit Pro.
All these people mean well trs.
At latency (trs trs important for the CONTRL VSTI). We go down easily below the threshold of 10ms (depending on the adjustment of the size of your buffer!)

OVERALL OPINION

I have this card for the past two months. All except for me may be the case of qualitfinition (potentiomtres plastic rubbing lgrement, not much access to the headphone volume knob once the headphones plugged . The nitre seen can help if you have nothing more. Echo could add 1 or 2 LEDs!)

Despite this, if c'tati again, I would reiterate this card!