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reXet
Published on 04/13/05 at 08:09
Motivation of my choice
My aim was to find an audio quality at a reasonable price with a rack with maximum input and output jack. I also was looking for a perfect match at both the drivers (ASIO, GSIF, etc.). That the operating system (Windows XP). My first choice was the famous Hoontech DSP24 + ADDA2000 but after for 1 month, sailed on the forums talking about this card, I realized that despite an unbeatable value for money, this card could pose many sake of stability and did not have audio converter worthy of the name. I then said "as much to save for a card that will stay in my home studio a long time ..."
So I hesitate between two products that seemed perfect to me: the RME Multiface and Echo Layla 24. The differences between these two cards is minimal and both products are of undeniable quality and so my portfolio that has ruled for the RME.
I ordered the RME Multiface PCI and Thomann, German magazine, who has delivered the product in 3 days.
What use?
I do not do electronic music and songs composed mostly pop / rock. I need to record acoustic guitar / electric and voice. I had an excellent audio quality. Otherwise I use virtual instruments and I needed a latency as low as possible and drivers up to par.
My Settings
Motherboard Tyan Tiger MP multiprocessor
Athlon XP1800 + 2 x
2 x 512 = 1024 ECC Registered RAM
2 SCSI hard drives
Sound Card SoundBlaster Live Platinum 5.1 with the front rack
Windows XP + Service Pack 1
No problem with this dual-processor configuration.
Last Updated on 07/07/03 because I changed the configuration:
Motherboard ABIT IC7-G i875 chipset
Pentium 4C 3.0Ghz overclocked to 3.33GHz (Hyper-Threading enabled)
2 x 512 OCZ DDR3700 RAM in dual DDR
Some bp sync in Cubase SX but resolved by changing the PCI sound card.
Other equipment
- A preamp Mindprint Envoice
- A condenser microphone Berhinger B1
- A master keyboard Roland A37
- All the connections in Neutrik
Explanation of the rating 9 / 10:
For this card had been perfect, I would have liked:
- A real rack 19 ', which might have prevented the rack to heat as the RME
- A hardware volume for the headphone
- Rather than a paper manual PDF
- A simpler system to go from-10db to +4 db (because you have to open the rack screw)
UTILIZATION
Installation:
I open my PC, I insert the PCI card, I plug in the rack and everything works. What more?
He is a consultant to update the firmware on the card, but RME's Technical Services has put together a little app well done and you can not make a mistake because it just press a button and reboot your machine. The driver installation is extremely simple from the moment you follow the steps. In short, no worries at this level ...
Incompatibility:
None. I expected to conflicts because I have 3 sound cards on my PC: the RME, the SoundBlaster and digital Plantronics headset that also acts as a sound card. Despite this, the three live together perfectly allowing me to dedicate each to a specific use. Also, my PC is rather responsible IRQ conflicts and I was afraid of sharing IRQ with my RME but everything works perfectly.
Configuration:
Same, very simple. Of course reading the manual but it is needed the product quickly and soft drinks in hand. It sets the buffer, we check out the routing in the mixer of the EMR (very well done and very comprehensive, especially with the latest drivers which provides a routing matrix) and it only remains to launch their favorite sequencer.
The manual is very clear but it deserved to be printed on paper ...
GETTING STARTED
Excellent. Really nothing to say. The drivers are very stable and allows me to work with 3ms latency without problem in my favorite applications. Technicians in RME are incredibly responsive (a little less for Mac): any worries and you can be sure of seeing new drivers fixes the problem within a week. RME is the site of a gold mine for technical information about the use of RME with different computer configurations, Throw away, a look. In addition, RME has set up a newsgroup that allows you to receive help quickly if you have any questions (in English against).
OVERALL OPINION
I have this card since January 2003. Everything works so well and is so simple that you quickly feel like you have used this card for years ...
It is, in my opinion, almost perfect: excellent converters, drivers up to par, rather than full connectivity, and performance of those apps use practices, etc.. "Almost" perfect for small defects (which are not really) that I mentioned above ... minor flaws quickly forgotten when you look at the price of this card. Attention, I'm not saying it's not expensive and I am far from rolling in money but in this price range, you will not find better in my humble opinion. Also note that RME has a rack similar to the multifaceted but equipped with all-digital connection as the Digiface. In addition, a PCMCIA card is also available allowing you to change the configuration to change from one station of a mobile office (or vice versa) without worry.
Just a note: at the time of writing this opinion, it seems you can find the Layla24 for the same price as some sites RME German (musician-gear in the other) that changes the game for a bit the issue "and if it again?" simply because the Layla24 is the equivalent of RME but correcting small flaws that I repproche (rack 19 ', volume for the headphones and even a MIDI THROUGH). At the time of my purchase, the difference was still close to 300 € so I did not hesitate to do without these little advantages over FF in 2000.
The benefits of RME on Layla? A system of LEDs on the front that tells you the proper functioning of your rack and connectors, saving a power outlet as the power is supplied via the FireWire cable to the PCI version (not version PCMCIA), while Layla asks its own power supply, a larger community of users (always useful in case of problems or for advice) and a rack that can make you more space if you do not prefer a real rack 19 '(which is not my case).
For those considering buying such a card, Throw away also a look at the following, which seem to play in the same way:
- Echo Layla 24 (see comment above)
- Motu 828 mkII (Firewire built-in microphone preamps)
- Aardvark Q10 (an undeniable quality audio)
- M-Audio Delta 1010 (product aging but still effective)
- Edirol UA-1000 (produced in recent USB2)
- Presonus Firestation (good tube preamp built but apparently problems drivers)
You can listen to the Multiface on my site because my first 5 compounds were recorded.
<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>I composed pop: www.rexet.com (http://www.rexet.com)</span>
My aim was to find an audio quality at a reasonable price with a rack with maximum input and output jack. I also was looking for a perfect match at both the drivers (ASIO, GSIF, etc.). That the operating system (Windows XP). My first choice was the famous Hoontech DSP24 + ADDA2000 but after for 1 month, sailed on the forums talking about this card, I realized that despite an unbeatable value for money, this card could pose many sake of stability and did not have audio converter worthy of the name. I then said "as much to save for a card that will stay in my home studio a long time ..."
So I hesitate between two products that seemed perfect to me: the RME Multiface and Echo Layla 24. The differences between these two cards is minimal and both products are of undeniable quality and so my portfolio that has ruled for the RME.
I ordered the RME Multiface PCI and Thomann, German magazine, who has delivered the product in 3 days.
What use?
I do not do electronic music and songs composed mostly pop / rock. I need to record acoustic guitar / electric and voice. I had an excellent audio quality. Otherwise I use virtual instruments and I needed a latency as low as possible and drivers up to par.
My Settings
Motherboard Tyan Tiger MP multiprocessor
Athlon XP1800 + 2 x
2 x 512 = 1024 ECC Registered RAM
2 SCSI hard drives
Sound Card SoundBlaster Live Platinum 5.1 with the front rack
Windows XP + Service Pack 1
No problem with this dual-processor configuration.
Last Updated on 07/07/03 because I changed the configuration:
Motherboard ABIT IC7-G i875 chipset
Pentium 4C 3.0Ghz overclocked to 3.33GHz (Hyper-Threading enabled)
2 x 512 OCZ DDR3700 RAM in dual DDR
Some bp sync in Cubase SX but resolved by changing the PCI sound card.
Other equipment
- A preamp Mindprint Envoice
- A condenser microphone Berhinger B1
- A master keyboard Roland A37
- All the connections in Neutrik
Explanation of the rating 9 / 10:
For this card had been perfect, I would have liked:
- A real rack 19 ', which might have prevented the rack to heat as the RME
- A hardware volume for the headphone
- Rather than a paper manual PDF
- A simpler system to go from-10db to +4 db (because you have to open the rack screw)
UTILIZATION
Installation:
I open my PC, I insert the PCI card, I plug in the rack and everything works. What more?
He is a consultant to update the firmware on the card, but RME's Technical Services has put together a little app well done and you can not make a mistake because it just press a button and reboot your machine. The driver installation is extremely simple from the moment you follow the steps. In short, no worries at this level ...
Incompatibility:
None. I expected to conflicts because I have 3 sound cards on my PC: the RME, the SoundBlaster and digital Plantronics headset that also acts as a sound card. Despite this, the three live together perfectly allowing me to dedicate each to a specific use. Also, my PC is rather responsible IRQ conflicts and I was afraid of sharing IRQ with my RME but everything works perfectly.
Configuration:
Same, very simple. Of course reading the manual but it is needed the product quickly and soft drinks in hand. It sets the buffer, we check out the routing in the mixer of the EMR (very well done and very comprehensive, especially with the latest drivers which provides a routing matrix) and it only remains to launch their favorite sequencer.
The manual is very clear but it deserved to be printed on paper ...
GETTING STARTED
Excellent. Really nothing to say. The drivers are very stable and allows me to work with 3ms latency without problem in my favorite applications. Technicians in RME are incredibly responsive (a little less for Mac): any worries and you can be sure of seeing new drivers fixes the problem within a week. RME is the site of a gold mine for technical information about the use of RME with different computer configurations, Throw away, a look. In addition, RME has set up a newsgroup that allows you to receive help quickly if you have any questions (in English against).
OVERALL OPINION
I have this card since January 2003. Everything works so well and is so simple that you quickly feel like you have used this card for years ...
It is, in my opinion, almost perfect: excellent converters, drivers up to par, rather than full connectivity, and performance of those apps use practices, etc.. "Almost" perfect for small defects (which are not really) that I mentioned above ... minor flaws quickly forgotten when you look at the price of this card. Attention, I'm not saying it's not expensive and I am far from rolling in money but in this price range, you will not find better in my humble opinion. Also note that RME has a rack similar to the multifaceted but equipped with all-digital connection as the Digiface. In addition, a PCMCIA card is also available allowing you to change the configuration to change from one station of a mobile office (or vice versa) without worry.
Just a note: at the time of writing this opinion, it seems you can find the Layla24 for the same price as some sites RME German (musician-gear in the other) that changes the game for a bit the issue "and if it again?" simply because the Layla24 is the equivalent of RME but correcting small flaws that I repproche (rack 19 ', volume for the headphones and even a MIDI THROUGH). At the time of my purchase, the difference was still close to 300 € so I did not hesitate to do without these little advantages over FF in 2000.
The benefits of RME on Layla? A system of LEDs on the front that tells you the proper functioning of your rack and connectors, saving a power outlet as the power is supplied via the FireWire cable to the PCI version (not version PCMCIA), while Layla asks its own power supply, a larger community of users (always useful in case of problems or for advice) and a rack that can make you more space if you do not prefer a real rack 19 '(which is not my case).
For those considering buying such a card, Throw away also a look at the following, which seem to play in the same way:
- Echo Layla 24 (see comment above)
- Motu 828 mkII (Firewire built-in microphone preamps)
- Aardvark Q10 (an undeniable quality audio)
- M-Audio Delta 1010 (product aging but still effective)
- Edirol UA-1000 (produced in recent USB2)
- Presonus Firestation (good tube preamp built but apparently problems drivers)
You can listen to the Multiface on my site because my first 5 compounds were recorded.
<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>I composed pop: www.rexet.com (http://www.rexet.com)</span>