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reminoucho « Very good soundcard »
Published on 10/13/13 at 01:4024-bit soundcard with 8 analog inputs and outputs + 1 digital stereo input.
48V phantom power per channel.
The impedance can be adapted if you connect a guitar or bass directly.
I use this soundcard with an IMAC (2006, core 2 duo) and OS 10.6.8, which starts to be old, but it works fine
I use the 8 analog inputs to record drums with 8 mics.
I also record vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, and a bass.
There are two inputs, 7 and 8, with a higher gain for bass drum mics, for example.
I use the soundcard's interface on the MAC, which is very practical. I never touch the sub-menus on the front panel, it's tedious.
USE
Once you load the latest drivers, it works. I haven't had a single crash after 9 moths of recordings.
I use LOGIC EXPRESS 9, it's very stable.
I can record 8 tracks without any issues. I have never recorded with the digital input. In fact, I think it's meant to daisy-chain a second octa-capture.
Virtually no latency.
I must also say that I'm not a big fan of the semi-rack format ! It's not very practical to have to make connections both on the front and the rear. a 19" rack format would've been better. Anyway, its format shouldn't make you think it's a CHEAP soundcard. What made me decide for it is that ROLAND keeps the drivers up to date. If my IMAC gives up on me and I buy another one, I wouldn't like to be penalized for it.
OPERATION
The installation couldn't be easier.
You install the driver, with the soundcard off.
Reboot the MAC, turn the soundcard on and that's it.
The card is connected to my monitoring speakers so I can also listen to ITUNES, YOUTUBE, etc...
I haven't found any incompatibilities. The built-in compressors serve me as noise gates.
The manual is very clear.
You can create 4 different mixes on the rear of the unit, which is practical to have different monitoring mixes, if you record several people. You can mix the direct inputs of the card with the monitoring returns of the computer. On the MAC, I can play back all tracks from the monitoring returns without any latency. (6-7 reference tracks + 8 drum tracks with some effects and the processor it at half its capacity).
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using this card for 9 months.
I couldn't test any other models before buying it.
So I had to download lots of PDF manuals to my ipad and study the possibilities each one offered.
The ROLAND, with its clear manual, and GOOD press reviews, convinced me. I don't regret my choice for the time being.
It's not the cheapest soundcard on the market. With its 1/2-rack format, compared to other brands... But ROLAND has launched an entire Capture series, including one with 16 analog inputs, so I don't expect the drivers to be unsupported any time soon. MACKIE stopped supporting the drivers of one of its soundcards, which is a pity.
The pros:
Easy to install and very good sound, without any noticeable noise.
The cons:
1/2-rack format and its somewhat high price.
Based on my experience, I would buy it again. It's my first soundcard. I used to have a digital tape recorder.
Update from 10-22-2014 = I now have a MACPRO RETINA with OS 10.9 and the soundcard works just as well. I've recorded 8 AUDIO inputs + 1 MIDI track simultaneously without any issues! And it sounds really good.
48V phantom power per channel.
The impedance can be adapted if you connect a guitar or bass directly.
I use this soundcard with an IMAC (2006, core 2 duo) and OS 10.6.8, which starts to be old, but it works fine
I use the 8 analog inputs to record drums with 8 mics.
I also record vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, and a bass.
There are two inputs, 7 and 8, with a higher gain for bass drum mics, for example.
I use the soundcard's interface on the MAC, which is very practical. I never touch the sub-menus on the front panel, it's tedious.
USE
Once you load the latest drivers, it works. I haven't had a single crash after 9 moths of recordings.
I use LOGIC EXPRESS 9, it's very stable.
I can record 8 tracks without any issues. I have never recorded with the digital input. In fact, I think it's meant to daisy-chain a second octa-capture.
Virtually no latency.
I must also say that I'm not a big fan of the semi-rack format ! It's not very practical to have to make connections both on the front and the rear. a 19" rack format would've been better. Anyway, its format shouldn't make you think it's a CHEAP soundcard. What made me decide for it is that ROLAND keeps the drivers up to date. If my IMAC gives up on me and I buy another one, I wouldn't like to be penalized for it.
OPERATION
The installation couldn't be easier.
You install the driver, with the soundcard off.
Reboot the MAC, turn the soundcard on and that's it.
The card is connected to my monitoring speakers so I can also listen to ITUNES, YOUTUBE, etc...
I haven't found any incompatibilities. The built-in compressors serve me as noise gates.
The manual is very clear.
You can create 4 different mixes on the rear of the unit, which is practical to have different monitoring mixes, if you record several people. You can mix the direct inputs of the card with the monitoring returns of the computer. On the MAC, I can play back all tracks from the monitoring returns without any latency. (6-7 reference tracks + 8 drum tracks with some effects and the processor it at half its capacity).
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using this card for 9 months.
I couldn't test any other models before buying it.
So I had to download lots of PDF manuals to my ipad and study the possibilities each one offered.
The ROLAND, with its clear manual, and GOOD press reviews, convinced me. I don't regret my choice for the time being.
It's not the cheapest soundcard on the market. With its 1/2-rack format, compared to other brands... But ROLAND has launched an entire Capture series, including one with 16 analog inputs, so I don't expect the drivers to be unsupported any time soon. MACKIE stopped supporting the drivers of one of its soundcards, which is a pity.
The pros:
Easy to install and very good sound, without any noticeable noise.
The cons:
1/2-rack format and its somewhat high price.
Based on my experience, I would buy it again. It's my first soundcard. I used to have a digital tape recorder.
Update from 10-22-2014 = I now have a MACPRO RETINA with OS 10.9 and the soundcard works just as well. I've recorded 8 AUDIO inputs + 1 MIDI track simultaneously without any issues! And it sounds really good.