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Audiofanzine FR
Published on 11/05/08 at 12:45
(Originally written by chguigoz59/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
My main purchase motivations were the 24/96 kHz sample rate and the digital outputs.
Its price tag is very appealing.
I use it with a laptop (Acer Pentium dual-core, 3 GB RAM) running Vista to record vinyl records in 24/96 kHz. I also make music with Logic and FL studio.
UTILIZATION
It installed itself without a problem and started working right away.
The user's manual is ok. The setting is very easy.
GETTING STARTED
The driver works fine. It's better to disable all other USB devices (if possible) when you use the unit to avoid any problems.
It is also wise to configure Windows so that it gives priority to background tasks and to disable all graphic effects, etc. especially if you are running Vista, otherwise you might have some unpleasant surprises and clicks.
I use it mainly with Cool Edit, Logic, Wavelab, FL.
The lowest latency with Logic is 9 ms, which is barely ok for real-time applications. Once you try to reduce this value you'll start to have serious problems.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using it for 3 months.
I don't like the fact that you have to set the sampling rate before you turn on the computer or plug the audio interface. Therefore you also have to disconnect the unit to change its sample rate.
Furthermore, if you want to work at 24/96 you must choose between either play or rec mode!!
That means that if you record something at 24/96, you cannot play it back immediately. You have to close the software, disconnect the audio interface, switch the jumper to the play position and relaunch the software!!!
The analog RCA input is bridged with the mic input and there is no input selector nor a separate control for each, so if you want to record a high level signal you get tons of noise, even without a mic. Hence it is important to set the level of the source correctly for recording. You have a knob to set the level.
The recording and playback quality is rather good. The RCA outputs deliver a good sound definition, especially at 96 kHz where the soundcard really excels. The sound of the headphone output is very bad, especially at loud volumes, the signal has no dynamics and you can hear distortion in the low-mid range. The output of my Acer laptop sounds much better!! They advertise the soundcard emphasizing its sound quality and proclaiming that it allows you to enhance the poor audio capabilities of the laptop's integrated soundcard... rubbish...
Its ok for the money, but choose another product if you have the means to do so.
I wouldn't buy it again, although it's ok to record high-level sources.
The audio interface is quite comprehensive and it is one of the few models in this price range that provides digital inputs and outputs.
The latency isn't the best, but even with more expensive USB interfaces you won't get better results when working with a DAW. Go with a Firewire for that.
My main purchase motivations were the 24/96 kHz sample rate and the digital outputs.
Its price tag is very appealing.
I use it with a laptop (Acer Pentium dual-core, 3 GB RAM) running Vista to record vinyl records in 24/96 kHz. I also make music with Logic and FL studio.
UTILIZATION
It installed itself without a problem and started working right away.
The user's manual is ok. The setting is very easy.
GETTING STARTED
The driver works fine. It's better to disable all other USB devices (if possible) when you use the unit to avoid any problems.
It is also wise to configure Windows so that it gives priority to background tasks and to disable all graphic effects, etc. especially if you are running Vista, otherwise you might have some unpleasant surprises and clicks.
I use it mainly with Cool Edit, Logic, Wavelab, FL.
The lowest latency with Logic is 9 ms, which is barely ok for real-time applications. Once you try to reduce this value you'll start to have serious problems.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using it for 3 months.
I don't like the fact that you have to set the sampling rate before you turn on the computer or plug the audio interface. Therefore you also have to disconnect the unit to change its sample rate.
Furthermore, if you want to work at 24/96 you must choose between either play or rec mode!!
That means that if you record something at 24/96, you cannot play it back immediately. You have to close the software, disconnect the audio interface, switch the jumper to the play position and relaunch the software!!!
The analog RCA input is bridged with the mic input and there is no input selector nor a separate control for each, so if you want to record a high level signal you get tons of noise, even without a mic. Hence it is important to set the level of the source correctly for recording. You have a knob to set the level.
The recording and playback quality is rather good. The RCA outputs deliver a good sound definition, especially at 96 kHz where the soundcard really excels. The sound of the headphone output is very bad, especially at loud volumes, the signal has no dynamics and you can hear distortion in the low-mid range. The output of my Acer laptop sounds much better!! They advertise the soundcard emphasizing its sound quality and proclaiming that it allows you to enhance the poor audio capabilities of the laptop's integrated soundcard... rubbish...
Its ok for the money, but choose another product if you have the means to do so.
I wouldn't buy it again, although it's ok to record high-level sources.
The audio interface is quite comprehensive and it is one of the few models in this price range that provides digital inputs and outputs.
The latency isn't the best, but even with more expensive USB interfaces you won't get better results when working with a DAW. Go with a Firewire for that.