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l'electron libre « Everything is relative ... »
Published on 05/31/13 at 04:56Features:
- USB sound card (firewire have disappeared on most laptops)
- 4 inputs: 2 mic preamps / line to the rear with 20dB pads (with phantom power) + 2 instrument inputs on jack 6.35 (including one dedicated to recording guitars).
- Digital Input / Output S / PDIF
- MIDI input and output (it can still be used!)
- 4 balanced analog outputs with monitor management to connect two pairs of speakers (or a pair and a subwoofer) and to switch from one pair to another very easily.
- 1 headphone output with independent volume control
- Reverb and integrated within
- Master Volume
- Assignable Multi button
- Includes the latest version of Pro Tools SE
- Format desktop already tested on a TC and it must be confessed, very useful!
Used with a laptop core i5, 6GB RAM.
The purpose of this purchase was to have a portable solution for making models ... C400 perfectly fulfills this contract ... but everything is relative ...
The preamps are a fairly good quality for the price but they are far from sufficient for a definitive recording.
We are in the low end and it feels a little ... anyway ...
UTILIZATION
The drivers are quite stable even if it happens (occasionally) the card "picks" for no particular reason. No update since the purchase.
The resulting latency in Cubase is on the record definition but is generally correct.
Small disappointment at the rear / front function limiting the number of recordable tracks simultaneously. Either you record what is plugged into the front panel or on record which is plugged into the back ... but not, for example, record a guitar along with a keyboard plugged in stereo on the rear panel.
The number of tracks played simultaneously also depends on which project you work and plugins used: dsp card or vst ... it weighs not the same in the end!
For example, I have a piece of a dozen tracks which rowing map: using multiple VST instruments + effects ... and another 24 tracks passing very well since few different VST instruments used.
GETTING STARTED
Used with Cubase 5, I encountered no problems installing. Everything is very simple: you install the driver provided, plug the card and voila!
The general configuration is easy for any musicos who already possessed an external card.
The software part is rather well thought out, it easily makes its mark!
Buffer size, sample rate, level, pan, etc. ... everything is clear on the software interface.
At worst, you can fall back on the manual is pretty lousy (in any case, is much better and more explicit than some competing brands).
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for 8 months and, as stated above, this card is quite to my needs.
I have not tried other model ... I trusted the test Audiofanzine well as various articles touting the relative qualities of this card considering its price.
So ... +: the desktop screen provides real comfort because everything that is important in the eyes VU meters, gain, buttons rear / front, volume buttons (general and headphone), phantom power (single for both tracks, unfortunately) ... and the famous multi button that is, in my opinion, very useful since you can assign several positions, such as "record, stop, return to the starting point, read" ... all with a single button!
Quality preamps and inputs in general is pretty good in this price range ... but everything is relative and stay away from the neutrality of high-end cards.
Nevertheless, the color is light and made quite acceptable for registration.
... and -: I would say that the main problem is that converters are a very average quality. This card is good for the composition but can not get a professional result when moving from the south or when the audio starts in the mix for a title.
The single phantom power for both tracks ... by a track would have been better!
The knobs are not notched ... This is not dramatic for the volume part ... but a little annoying regarding entries.
Finally, the plastic quality ... I do not know what it will give over time, but in any case, do not expect to prevent scratches! Even with great care, it is inevitable because any nail tip that exceeds a knob that rotates, and the scratch is top!
The quality / price ratio is quite honest: the map shows a very decent quality for the entry level, despite some noticeable flaws quickly.
For 160 euros, was m-audio / Avid accompanied by a light version of Pro Tools as well as some DSP effects built in good order.
The choice of "all plastic" is both a good and a bad thing: some plastics used seem relatively fragile material but it has the advantage of lightness ... This can be convenient for mobile use ...
Finally, with the experience, I do not know if I do it again this choice ... we must see what the competition will offer us in the near future but at the time of purchase, it was the most comprehensive map I could find: many styles happen midi inputs (which was a problem for me) ... and many models in the same price range, offer fewer inputs and preamps lesser quality.
- USB sound card (firewire have disappeared on most laptops)
- 4 inputs: 2 mic preamps / line to the rear with 20dB pads (with phantom power) + 2 instrument inputs on jack 6.35 (including one dedicated to recording guitars).
- Digital Input / Output S / PDIF
- MIDI input and output (it can still be used!)
- 4 balanced analog outputs with monitor management to connect two pairs of speakers (or a pair and a subwoofer) and to switch from one pair to another very easily.
- 1 headphone output with independent volume control
- Reverb and integrated within
- Master Volume
- Assignable Multi button
- Includes the latest version of Pro Tools SE
- Format desktop already tested on a TC and it must be confessed, very useful!
Used with a laptop core i5, 6GB RAM.
The purpose of this purchase was to have a portable solution for making models ... C400 perfectly fulfills this contract ... but everything is relative ...
The preamps are a fairly good quality for the price but they are far from sufficient for a definitive recording.
We are in the low end and it feels a little ... anyway ...
UTILIZATION
The drivers are quite stable even if it happens (occasionally) the card "picks" for no particular reason. No update since the purchase.
The resulting latency in Cubase is on the record definition but is generally correct.
Small disappointment at the rear / front function limiting the number of recordable tracks simultaneously. Either you record what is plugged into the front panel or on record which is plugged into the back ... but not, for example, record a guitar along with a keyboard plugged in stereo on the rear panel.
The number of tracks played simultaneously also depends on which project you work and plugins used: dsp card or vst ... it weighs not the same in the end!
For example, I have a piece of a dozen tracks which rowing map: using multiple VST instruments + effects ... and another 24 tracks passing very well since few different VST instruments used.
GETTING STARTED
Used with Cubase 5, I encountered no problems installing. Everything is very simple: you install the driver provided, plug the card and voila!
The general configuration is easy for any musicos who already possessed an external card.
The software part is rather well thought out, it easily makes its mark!
Buffer size, sample rate, level, pan, etc. ... everything is clear on the software interface.
At worst, you can fall back on the manual is pretty lousy (in any case, is much better and more explicit than some competing brands).
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for 8 months and, as stated above, this card is quite to my needs.
I have not tried other model ... I trusted the test Audiofanzine well as various articles touting the relative qualities of this card considering its price.
So ... +: the desktop screen provides real comfort because everything that is important in the eyes VU meters, gain, buttons rear / front, volume buttons (general and headphone), phantom power (single for both tracks, unfortunately) ... and the famous multi button that is, in my opinion, very useful since you can assign several positions, such as "record, stop, return to the starting point, read" ... all with a single button!
Quality preamps and inputs in general is pretty good in this price range ... but everything is relative and stay away from the neutrality of high-end cards.
Nevertheless, the color is light and made quite acceptable for registration.
... and -: I would say that the main problem is that converters are a very average quality. This card is good for the composition but can not get a professional result when moving from the south or when the audio starts in the mix for a title.
The single phantom power for both tracks ... by a track would have been better!
The knobs are not notched ... This is not dramatic for the volume part ... but a little annoying regarding entries.
Finally, the plastic quality ... I do not know what it will give over time, but in any case, do not expect to prevent scratches! Even with great care, it is inevitable because any nail tip that exceeds a knob that rotates, and the scratch is top!
The quality / price ratio is quite honest: the map shows a very decent quality for the entry level, despite some noticeable flaws quickly.
For 160 euros, was m-audio / Avid accompanied by a light version of Pro Tools as well as some DSP effects built in good order.
The choice of "all plastic" is both a good and a bad thing: some plastics used seem relatively fragile material but it has the advantage of lightness ... This can be convenient for mobile use ...
Finally, with the experience, I do not know if I do it again this choice ... we must see what the competition will offer us in the near future but at the time of purchase, it was the most comprehensive map I could find: many styles happen midi inputs (which was a problem for me) ... and many models in the same price range, offer fewer inputs and preamps lesser quality.