Terratec Producer Phase 88

Audio and MIDI interface for recording up to eight simultaneous tracks in high resolution, with output in 5.1 or 7.1 surround. 8 analog inputs

- 8 analog outputs
- Resolution 96-kHz / 24-bit
- An input / output compatible coaxial S / PDIF, AC3 or DTS
- Levels of input and output individually adjustable to-10dB or +4 dB
- AutoGain, to adjust the gain versus input signal
- AD SNR 100 dB (A) - SNR DA 110 (A) dB
- 20 channel hardware mixer, 36-bit resolution
- 1 MIDI input / output channel 16
- Rack shielded external 5.25 "(4m cable)
- Can be installed in the bay internal (PC)
- Multi-platform (Mac and PC)
- Interface PCI Bus Master optimized support 32-bit (mode "32-bit unpacked")
- Connector to synchronize EWS "hardware" of 4 cards max.
- Support ASIO low latency

UTILIZATION

Ras ... nikel. 2 seconds to install.

GETTING STARTED

Perfect, very easy to use, including solid stability with Cubase SX2, ... Beautiful interface.

OVERALL OPINION

This is my first sound card but frankly c nikel, easy to use, installation, clear, clear, able to surround, low latency, ...
For the price this is a fairly complete interface for a home studio. The preamp is a little weak people like everywhere you tell me. Premiere digital audio card properly to begin in the semi-professional

Hello, I Made computer music and MCO 1994.
I chose this card to the number of entries and this important gains for each input. In addition I can also come out in 7.1 Digital DTS 96k on my amp.
Before I worked with an Audigy 2ZS which offers four simultaneous inputs without preamps with KX drivers, I was shielded by placing the card in an old box cdrom drive connected to ground. Also with this card I will be able to play pro me saying in my config. I have a card studio pro (yet ZS (€ 60) also has a very good sound quality by buying preamps (eg Monacor MPR-6 € 30)

UTILIZATION

Very easy to install and use (was not even need the manual!).

GETTING STARTED

The drivers seem stable, but it remains to be proven in 20 hours of use, no bugs.
I have not tried yet the simultaneous recording tracks, but it's coming.
Phase 88 is less powerful than the Audigy 2 ZS in latency, but it uses less system resources, fruity with some effects on it turns a second 10ms without problems and started a little crunch from a 2ms seconds.
She looks less ergonomic than the ZS, the sound cracks a bit (by stretching the ear) when I move the splitter bars in the windows of the pianoroll fruity with a 5ms latency, it disappears from 10ms latency and may be had to the software.

OVERALL OPINION

However I like a lot already, I could put my bazard preamp and I has a much better sound quality of the entries. With 8 inputs, it is possible to record a pop band without mixer (4 mic baterie, guitar, bass, singer, keyboard) or to make recordings of high quality battery.
It is also suitable for use as I want to do live, namely in creating architectures Sonnora using VST taken his microphone and real instruments.
For against my Audigy 2 ZS has more outlets (12 in total). But with eight speakers (one at each corner of the room) you can already work on sound in space.
I use it for a few days.

For the record 5 cards can be linked together and have 40 inputs and 40 outputs, to record the instrumentals for a classical orchestra or for art installation, scalability J'aprécie this, especially since the price drop in years year.

Overall, I am very happy with this purchase.

Config: AMD Barton 2.8, MSI infinity II, 2x256 DDR 400 in dual display, Seagate 80 GB, ATI Rage 9200, samsung 52x burner all mounted in an old desktop PCDH-5H Siemens / Nixdorf, the case of 90 years are very Solid, no need to rack!

I did not know too in computer music, so my choice was not personally, I mostly listened to the advice around me.
This is especially the numerous inputs and outputs that have motivated my choice, the price / number of outputs is very good!
For me it's very limited use, she serves as a PC sound card every day, and to connect a keyboard or my turntables.
Used with a PC that starts to get old! (Win XP Pro SP2). A microKORG and from time to time a pair of Technics turntables (and a MK2 M3D) and table mix Ecler HAK 320.
Certe rather limited use but not a single hardware problem.

UTILIZATION

Virtually trouble-free installation, I just looked like an idiot on their menu where were the drivers but they are not on the menu ... you must use the Add Hardware Wizard in Windows ... 1 hour in the wind!
Because of the incompatibility of my micro webcam ... quickly resolved
General configuration easy, but I do not really know much so in fact I have not set much ... in fact almost nothing, but it works nickel. on the other hand I do not understand the control pannel, I know nothing at all give me the numbers, and virtual faders do not cut the sound (are they supposed to do?).
The manual is in French, English or German is, therefore, prepare the dictionary!

GETTING STARTED

The drivers seem stable, but we must say that I'm paranoid of a PC, I am very gaffe that I install on my system, which does not move much in fact. Aside from the story with the webcam I had nothing else.
I've never done the update for now.
+ The software used often: Winamp & VLC: p, otherwise record pr SoundForge.
Latency? Take me to learn how you ca ... see!
Number of tracks simultaneously: never tried over 2

OVERALL OPINION

It's going to do well a year or two I have, nickel.
What I like is that it does not heat up much, the outer casing which has a long cable, so you can put it away from the PC.
Before that I had a soundblaster 128 so we can not say I really tried other models before!
I compared on paper long before buying it, and I looked everywhere I could, and it is precisely for its price / quality ratio I have chosen.
With experience I think that I would do the same choice, for now she never let me down.