Echo Layla3G

(Originally written by Seith/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
I just received it.

I've had many sound cards over the last years. I will use it in my home studio.

My computer: Dual Core CPU and 4 GB Ram, Windows Vista 32

Connected instruments: Kurzweil K2600RS, Triton rack, DR880, Joemeek TwinQ, bass, guitar.

UTILIZATION

Very easy installation. I first downloaded the latest driver. I installed it, turned off the computer and installed the PCI card (the Layla's cable is very long: 6.6'). I then restarted the computer, the card was installed within 20 seconds and everything worked immediately, without bugs, it's incredible!!!! The setup is very easy unlike with the RME Total Mix, which offers more possibilities but is very complicated (I installed a Fireface 400 and the card was not detected. I had a lot of problems with it and once it worked I noticed that the famous RME sound is nothing special... I also had a Motu 828 MKIII and I didn't hear any difference when compared to the RME)...

GETTING STARTED

Ultra stable drivers (pretty normal for a PCI)

I just don't get the current update madness. Updates are made to correct bugs, so the more updates the more problems you might have.

I use Cubase SX3 and I recently bought Samplitude 10, which I find great...

The latency (factory) setting is 60 ms and I didn't change it because it works fine

with 8 recording tracks and 26 playback tracks. It's ultra reliable...

OVERALL OPINION

I tested it a very short time but considering that I had lots of problems with other brands (stay away from M-audio, RME is overrated, Motu is for Mac users) this Echo sound card was the right choice and it offers an unbeatable value for money.

I don't understand people who buy Firewire cards for desktop computers. Most people use their sound cards only in their studio so the PCI bus is the best solution.

Perfect value for money.

I would definitely buy it again and I'm very satisfied with this purchase... I first wanted a much more expensive Fireface or a Studiokonnekt, but with this Echo I had enough money left to buy an Avalon U5 DI box and a DBX166 compressor....

This rack brings together everything I needed for my installation:
- 8 analog inputs (2 Mic / Line Combo XLR-front, 6 rear jack 6'35)
- Inserts (rear) for Mic-Line 1-2
- 8 analog output jacks on the rear 6'35
- 2 x TosLink (optical, so ...) can transmit knew SPDIF (stereo) or ADAT (8 channels at 44.1/48 kHz)
- The BNC for word clock sync for digital

I use a microphone input for plugging my (modest) AT-2020 in case of need, and I use the other analog inputs / outputs to be connected (depending on the desires of the moment) subgroups of my mixing desk, live synths or effects racks (for use in "External FX" from Cubase).

I'm on PC, with a Core2Duo E8400 (@ 3.0 GHz), 8 GB of RAM with Windows 7/64bits and Cubase 5.

Any small downside (for some): Enabling phantom power (48 volts) is global for the two preamps. It is therefore advisable to simultaneously connect a condenser microphone and a dynamic microphone ...

UTILIZATION

Drivers, as usual with the hardware EchoAudio are stable enough to be forgotten.
Routing program is simple, unadorned and unnecessary functions but it works perfectly with efficiency: each output has its own tab in which the volume is adjusted the volume of physical input and output software.
Being more musician statistician, I've never fun to count the number of tracks in my songs or to measure the number of samples latency depending on the sampling frequency, but in any case, I could always work peacefully without having to worry about my sound card.

GETTING STARTED

From the moment that we follow the procedure outlined in the manual, installation is almost alone: ​​simple, clear, quick, concise.
I have not encountered any problem, it worked nickel the first time.
And it has not always been the case for other models from other manufacturers ...

OVERALL OPINION

I Layla3G this for 2 years now. It replaced a Gina24 which, despite all its qualities, was only 2 inputs and no preamp.

What I like most is that it has this quality increasingly rare: she knows how to forget.
You turn on the computer, it starts the sequencer and make music without worrying about IT. We play it converts the computer records. Point.
What more?

What I like least: you can connect only one rack I / O on the PCI card. I dream of interfaces for Echo, as their cards with MOTU 324/424, to combine multiple racks on a single card ...
Ah yes ... There is also the fact of not being able to ADAT and SPDIF at the same time ... But for me, this is a detail ...

I was looking for 8 tracks between a card that can be suitably mixes to avoid a mixer.
I also wanted my card runs Linux
I was looking for something with a max of connectors even if I have no use for now.
A friend of his had deprecated ingnieur the edirol 2496 and Delta 1010.
In short one day I broke down and I bought it for a few 400

UTILIZATION

I only talk about Linux because I spent time matriser Ardour / Jack jamin and I think that is less monolithic solutions that Cubase since all these apps communicate with each other.
In Linux it took me understand several things:
there was a bug in the ALSA version 1.8 that I had to install drivers over the 1.08 of Gentoo taient incomplete
I had to switch to ALSA 1.09rc2 in knowing that there is no RC3 drivers 3G
ALSA is in the map in two devices dcompose hdw: 1.0 analog outputs for inputs and hdw: 1.1 numriques for inputs and outputs. So to start throwing the jack device hdw: 1.0 (or hdw: 0.0 if you have no other sound card)

GETTING STARTED

Linux no crash no problem Jack turns for several days without flinching
I use Ardour and jackd not test with MIDI
Latency is low, but Linux is normal fawn all I hear the sound live and I can mix from echomixer so I will install the patches not even low latency kernel
I have not tried 8 but a friend does it without problem

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a week
The best: from a Delta 1010 is the mix that is echomixer gnial MAUDIO from the mix is ​​a stew has cotbr /> The best: the headphone jack
The least: the plastic buttons for me I would have put the rglage mtallique but hey

Map 8 outputs, 8 inputs with a choice: the 2 preamps or insert entry (not the one used)
What motivated my choice: the report qualitprix since everyone hailed the qualities of convertos Echo ... If I took Layla to plug my synths on inputs; the ca gina would have been too limited on this side l. ..

UTILIZATION

Installation trouble-free ... I used the uninstaller of the old card (Hoontech DSP2000) to transfer the drivers properly and no problems g
I have not read the manual ... I'd have to do it but the truth was quite the config point I think I did not need to use the manual once ... clean and simple interface of the console .... Royal at the bar ... what

GETTING STARTED

Drivers in the hair until now: I need to reboot the machine as with each crash Hoontech: ca Sometimes it crashes but rather the sequencer that shit I think .... In any case, if ca bug: we raise and it's good. I appreciate and ca ...
The convertos of this card being very good, more than enough for me anyway, I can now save me Ssynth without losing too much momentum: a quick equalo and it's perfect, the results seem good when taking its is made with care ... my mackie is a little more from now, the difference is obvious ...
and then level N / A, the day is the night from the Hoonetech: bcp the sound is clearer, dynamic, ca breathe, it's really a nice difference! Mmmm convos reverbs, as they are prettier now ...! I tried the preamp but with little gain: very neutral, and finally for this price of course .... with gain I really know what it gave, I think through

OVERALL OPINION

I would prefer the inputs on the front like the old card: good is not dramatic, I put the card upside down in the rack because I have to plug / Input debracher the easy ... the back it would be too gualere ...
I would do this choice if you want to know, coconut ...

EDIT: yeah I forgot one thing a little boring on Layla: holes jacks are so close together that some cables may not be plugger in pairs because it affects between the head of jacks ... Personal and suddenly I have to transfer the cable ends and the plugger was naked ave some ... I have others or going ac ca m'enfin it sucks, they could have done a little more detail what a blunder ...