All user reviews of 5/5 for the E-MU 0404 USB

it is a good sound card that gives me satisfaction I use with windows xp
on windows 7 there is no driver if you have the pro version

UTILIZATION

the drivers are stable, no complaints

GETTING STARTED

Installation is done with the help of the forum, actually not obvious we must respect the process of installing the cd that came with the card

OVERALL OPINION

I know more but at least two or three years is a sound card but very small budget
I like the ease of use midi output jack headphone and audio microphone and instrument
it is a good external sound card

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

The fact that it is equipped with the famous "Miracle DAC" There's probably a lot.
Admittedly, I use my PC to listen bloated disco (99% of Flac, ape, wavpack, mostly with very good quality) and I was tired of the sound of my old Terratec.
The external box is also a plus (knobs, easy and safe connection) even if I only use a fraction of the possibilities.


For what purpose?
What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / RAM / Disk, ...)? Use music lover passionate but demanding PC (MSI P 45, Intel E 8400, 4 and 8 GB hard drives in case Lancool 10 K and external, Win XP SP 2) and in recent days: AMD FX 6100 on Asus and Samsung SSD 830 M5A97PRO , Seven Win Pro 64 bit

For now, I do not register, but it will come (I scratch a little acoustic guitar

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable? Yes, no worries Soux 7 or XP Pro 64 bit, although I prefer not to rotate with a Beta driver ... but hey, I must say that for me it makes no difference.
How often are updated? I think yes.
It should nevertheless not lose sight of what many have already pointed out before: ASIO only very desirable, if you want to overcome the vagaries of Windows.
What software do you use most often? Following livére not serve me very little. I use Foobar and J River Media (thus reading)

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problem?

No worries for me, but I have a long history of PC, it should help. Anyway, I never had to complain. With that said, with low-performance PCs (an old P4 3.0 HT Shuttle and 1.5 GB of Ram and a lot of périphériqueriques in USB1 and 2, caused at distant crackling, resolved by relieving the USB ports ... perhaps a matter of bandwidth?
Anyway, it seems to me not made to support the antiques ... (why there PCI cards, it seems to me, just as good but less-demanding system resources)
Have you encountered any incompatibilities? No, just a small bug in Foobar when changing sampling. This bug does not occur elsewhere in foobar (which does not store the oversampling, it is up to 44.1 kHz) and nothing seems to indicate that the card is there for something ...


The general configuration is easy? Very
The manual is clear and sufficient? Manual mainly useful for info (at the hardware level anyway) and quite comprehensive. For those who want to delve into the software, it's light, on the other hand ... but hey, we can say that it must be often the case with suites also charged.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it? 4 years (mid 2008 purchase)
What is so special that you love the most, least?
The sound: incredibly bright, airy, super-aggressive but sharp and chiselled. A jewel that does better than any CD player I had and I've had at least five, including some very expensive.
The qualifier Miracle DAC was far from being usurped!
Did you tried many other models before buying it? No, I knew the advanced chipsets (Azalia, supposedly the top, but pales compared to 0404) and Terratec 16 bits (not terrible, trumpets aggressive, non-existent ventilation, poor stereo) not to mention a phalanx of Guillemot (Yamaha) and Creative (SB Live, sometimes very very good) through the years. But even before the purchase, no other test. USB, its rivals were almost nonexistent at this time, it has faciliét choice ...
How would you rate the quality / price? Super,
With experience, you do again this choice? Meanwhile rivals came out in quantity and it is no longer for sale secondhand ... but I will not hesitate! Anyway, the new USB O202 sounds worse. I borrowed because I wanted to equip a second PC, but I was not even more, it sounds good but it is still behind the 0404.

With experience, you do again this choice? ...
No doubt! I love him as I freaking going to Win 7 have to do without. I know I need to find both, but I do not think I'll find one day sound better than that.
As it will turn on my PC, I keep it!

I confess I do not understand that this card is so little star while it's a gem (well, aesthetically, it's way ... but hey, among serious people who cares!)

My config: Fujitsu Siemens laptop with Core Duo T2050 1 Gb memory / Win XP

I chose this interface for audio features that are advertised as impréssiontantes and its two USB connection allows to hope for a crack-free operation.

UTILIZATION

The installation is done without any worries. All this worked in less than 10 minutes. I still encountered a problem:
I use a new laptop with power supply to ground. It seems that all new laptops now have an outlet to the land, which was not the case before. This jack connects to ground the 0V of the computer to the ground. This 0V is also shared by the interface 404 through the USB connection. This causes a whistling sound of a digital loop mass when I connect the interface to the console asymmetric. To work around this problem, remove the earth from the power socket on the computer. Once the land withdrawn, and the hiss disappears silent operation is impressive.

The direct monitoring also works perfectly.

Note that the interface is not powered by the USB port and requires external power supply (provided with).

I give 8 because of the problem of ground loop to bypass.

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are very stable but there is an order to comply with the launch of the interface and programs that use it. Once the computer booted, it must be aluminum interface (switch on the back of the interface) and run the program that will exploit it. If we disconnect the USB and reconnect the connection that the twelve o'clock does not work. Must then stop programs that use the interface to OFF / ON on the interface and then restart the programs. I hope that a new version of drivers will solve this problem.

At latency, I configured with Kontakt2 4ms. Absolutely no complaints on this side of. Latency is absolutely inaudible. I could go up to 120 notes of polyphony with K2, I'd never have done so far. No problem either with SONAR.
The sound is bright and vibrant and completely free of breath.
I give 8 because of the order of launching programs and drivers.

OVERALL OPINION

Inerface I use this for a little over a month. I am very satisfied both latency as sound quality. The result is that point of view impeccable. I do it again so this choice without hesitation. I look for a new version against the driver who avoids the problems start between programs and drivers.

I'll spear.

I have chosen:
- The quality of circuits (unless all of this is that the marketing ...)
- USB 2.0 (what most direct competitive landscape in the same price range have not)
- The balanced outputs (to connect directly to my monitors, it's class!)
- Inputs / outputs SPDIF or AES
- The independent headphone amp and volume associated
- Direct Monitoring
- The price!

I use it on:
- Micro (rare)
- Directly to the outputs of my Pod XT Live (I do not like sound card)

For my config, see my profile.

UTILIZATION

Installation: Manual comes down to its simplest form (just the same limits), but to install everything is clear.

Once installed (I left all my previous sound card enabled, which of course should not be): panic! After two uninstall / reinstall full: stop the Pod, the suppression of AC97 directly into the BIOS ... it works!
Then experiment with Groove Agent standalone: ​​cracking all the time?
After some tests I see the need to leave the resolution of the E-MU 16 or 32 bits (24 cracks here) ...

FYI, my Pod XT Live, which is also a USB 2.0 sound card, which accepts the 44.1 and 48 in 16 or 24 bits Jamis asked me not the slightest problem or crash ... At this stage of my testing so I express doubts about the stability of the driver.

GETTING STARTED

Once past all the pitfalls of installation, all is well. I had chosen to avoid using an analog mixer tapping and monitoring headphones and I'm not disappointed on that point. The knobs are smooth, accurate and produce no artifact. The entries are very successful: it can pass very quickly from a microphone to an input line of very high level, dynamic limiter is present, but in my opinion it is too early an attack (from-12dB), so I personally do not use it.

! added in January 2007! : Prémplis are actually very average quality. As long as we remain in line level, so good. For the microphones here remains to be seen ...

For monitoring, surprise: the knob is in fact an endless encoder, no explanation is available on the doc. In level I found it a bit limited (I always needed to lower the level of the mix to hear the monitoring).

! added in January 2007! : It's really balls: they manage the monitoring in software internally and do not even have a driver that can handle this with more precision than can the button on the front!
An important point: the latency!
The ASIO config panel comes down to its simplest form (as is the little app that comes with the card): definition bits (16, 24 or 32) and latency.
In SONAR 5, with a non-computer dedicated to music (so lots of work in the background ...): 5 ms (below, it cracks.

And finally: the SOUND.
Obviously I'm not going to insult a comparison with the E-MU AC97 or the POD sound card. The 0404 USB has a good dynamic and the details are perfectly rendered. I Consat no difference between my headphones and listen to (in any case the same signal is recovered after the D / A converter, so there is the amp that could play). The volume range is linear and independent enough from the headphones and line-out (and each is from 0 to max), very flexible to use.

OVERALL OPINION

I have now for ten days. I bought this card that compared the characteristics of AF and many others. My main criteria were the connections (which avoids using an analog console when you're alone), and its capabilities (up to 192 kHz, digital inputs and outputs in AES or SPDIF, MIDI input. ..).

She has met all my expectations in terms of ergonomics, ease of use and sound quality. For the price (199 €), I would do so of choice without hesitation.

! added in January 2007! : I think now that the 192 kHz, it is mostly marketing. They could be limited to the 96 kHz and put on better preamps. Anyway, here led me to buy it and I should not be the only ...

CF which has already been noted. simply complete and effective and transportable.

The bad thing is required to have an outlet near because no power via USB, the box is plastic, the metal would have seemed more solid but good for the price we will not complain.

We regret the patch mix of 0404 pci handy.

Bundle comprehensive for beginners.

It is therefore an interface "semi-nomadic" that can make life easier decision to make the move.

UTILIZATION

It installs the driver, it made its ASIO settings, two in three configuration software to adjust the latency and go.
Manuel very succinct English.

GETTING STARTED

Xp service pack 2 with a core 2 duo and 2 gig of ram, no instability, latency 7 ms 5 ms see, Nuendo 3 and EWQLSO running smoothly.

Audio Recording nickel (converters seem better quality than the 0404 PCI I use on my desktop PC).

Hand mixer I can turn thirty audio tracks (and I tend to use lots of good gourmet plugin) without problems or cracking.

OVERALL OPINION

I have for nearly eight months, it suits me perfectly because of its price / quality ratio, low latency, stability (at least on my setup as some here do not look so happy! I opportunity to tell them that the crack can also meet when the processor is at 70% utilization at rest and that it is not always the fault of the card).
I regret that we can not have a way to mix without outlet, a small PCMCIA card like the 1616m would EETE nice.
Adpater for beginners for its simplicity and the Maoists for his more experienced side but one, and its sound quality.
After I'm sure the pros will find to say about it but at the same time their budget constraints are not the same they will look maybe not on a product also available.

What technical specifications motivated your choice?

First, the recording quality (16 and 24 bit 44.1 kHz 192 kHz)

Connectivity important
-2 Mono inputs with switchable fantme prampli and power (XLR / Jack 6.35) (sparment adjustable using two knobs) or channels left / right to the str o (rgler careful to the same levels for both channels when your in Stereo!)
-Optical input and coaxial S / PDIF
output optical and coaxial S / PDIF
-1 Headphone jack (6.35)
-1 Midi in, Midi out a
-1 Output speaker jack 3.5 (hand out)
-1 Stereo line output (1 left, 1 right jack 6.35)

The portable format

USB connection (there is no need to open the computer to connect the sound card)

The CONTRL vumtres allowing recordings

The CONTRL direct headset volume and speaker with the pots (so no need to go and open the "CONTRL volume" of Windows
For what purpose?

Records of all kinds and quality studio
What is your config (motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)

Ordiateur from 2004
Motherboard Asus P4P800SE
CPU: Pentium 4 3GHz Prescott
RAM: 512 MB DDR
HDD: Maxtor 120 GB

UTILIZATION

Installation is no problem it?

No, a few problems for the driver: I had to use the utility to install Windows peripherals prconisait unlike what the user manual and the card must be installed BEFORE installing software provided.
Have you experienced any incompatibility?

Not

Gnrale configuration is easy?

yes, 10% CPU
The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

Yes.

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are stable?

Moderately, I await the updates on this topic

Are they often put day?

I do not know because it is a product rcent

What software do you use most often?

Right now:
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2, FM8, Absynth 4
Sony Acid Pro 6
What you get lag?

14ms latency and no crack observation using ASIO.
Cuts may occur if you have not used the right driver (often direct sound plutt qu'Asio).

How many tracks you get record / playback simultanment? ...

12 tracks including 7 with plugins Proteus VX ReFX Slayer 2 and 2: It cracks normment to beginners but then ca s'amliore (512MB of RAM, it can be enough)

Ground loops do not exist thanks to the buttons on the bottom spciaux situs limina phnomne this, the provided plug does not put the earth terminal

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?

1 month

What is the particular feature you like best and least?

The CONTRL direct paramtres key (the RESOLUTION of the reading and recording is slctionn using a mini soft)
Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

No, this is my sound card mobile Premire

How do you report qualitprix?

A little CHRE but all is complete

I have prfr other external cards because I did not trust the firewire card for my laptop Dell Inspiron 6400 - Core2 Processor 2.0 Gig, 2 Gig 667Mhz RAM, XP Pro. It seems that USB2 is in favor of Firewire for PC (?) The EMU is USB2.

I use it for home recording, practice, small, pre-amps are perfect with my Audio-Technica microphones, Seinheiser MD441, etc.. and I like the MIDI included in the box.

UTILIZATION

Absolutely no problem with installation.
I have read other opinions and some are experiencing inexplicable problem ... I do not understand that. It installs the driver for the CD, you plug the card on EMU USB port, you turn the card and XP recognizes it.

No incompatibility.

I did not need to take the manual, there is nothing easier to install

GETTING STARTED

No problem either with the pilots.
I do the updates when EMU sent me an email saying that a new driver available on their website silent. I installed it and voila.

I mostly use Cubase SX2 and Reason 4.3
Latency of about 5 ms.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it new fvrier 2007.
Trs good value / quality to pay the price - 189 Euros (with the Proteus VX included on the CD)
I do not regret buying it does its job and both are fairly between analog INs for WRITING in my home studio. There are also some digital IN / OUT.
This did not bother to buy this card if you want to record drum parts you need or 8 (see +) between, I have a 9652 with 3 Hammerfall ADAT ins outs at this studio.

I had before internal sound card m audio pci 24/192. Unlike with my old card I t be forced to buy a mic preamp with phantom power plus a adquate interface supplmentaire noon. While with the E MU, everything is included.

At the beginning by reading the comments of some, I was afraid to take the card and finally, I do not regret my purchase because in terms of sound quality is class, the sound is crystal clear imprssionnante.

Now it is clear that if you have an old pc, with the base material, the card 404 USB EMU is not for you.

UTILIZATION

No installation problem

GETTING STARTED

My PC is: Motherboard: P5QC, nvidia Geforce 9800 GTX +, 500 GB HDD 32 MB, 4 GB of memory, processor intel quad core. Windows XP Pro 64
Software: Sequencer Cubase 4 and Reason 4, vanguard vst, sampler rfx nexus, legacy collection vst and various vst.
Monotoring pregnant.
MIDI master keyboard m audio es 61

I've never had a bug, the drivers are stable, no major problem of latency.

all about the pc, if you have an old pan using this high end card you will not get a rsultat perfect, or the comments I've read.

OVERALL OPINION

2 months and I use it constantly, do not like the design but this is incidental.

The report price is trs good quality, for 200 euros you have the quality not expensive.

yes I will redeem this card with no problem. But I RPET if your pc is too old base with components of the low-end card is not for you.