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Re: Audio Interface for Notebook Users

After a thorough research on this subject, I found out that if one needs multiple audio IN/OUTS, MIDI IN/OUT, HI-Z input, good mic preamps, low latency, etc., there are two excellent laptop interfaces in the category of "under $500"
 
1) Yamaha i88x - this might be overall a better choice, except that it is larger in size
    (480 x 373 x 44mm), i.e. not as portable as the second one. This is a firewire  
    interface. You should be able to find it for $380 new. This one apparently competes
    well with MOTU's and Digidesign's more expensive interfaces. 
 
2)  E-MU 1616M. Connects via included PCMCIA card. It's around $500.
 
Both of these interfaces were reviewed in 'Sound on Sound' and a number of other tech magazines.
 
Rafko
Kris Hartung <khartung@cableone.net> wrote:
From: "Stefan Tiedje"

>> 1. SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook -
>> http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=10769
>> - $100

> No Mic/Inst input, only stereo in and out. I would not expect it to be
> better than the built in High Definition parts of your ThinkPad

I think your comments on the quality of these PCMCIA units is not entirely
and unanimously on base, relative to desired outcomes of differenet
musicians, home or professioa, relative standards of quality, and use cases.
You say "The aim of these cards are home musicians, not professionals."
This is somewhat of a black and white statement. There are a lot of
"professional" musicians, however we define that, who use what audiofiles
might consider sub-standard quality gear. For that matter, a rock guitarist
using an 8 bit effects stompbox should be completely out of the picture
here. Certainly, for super hi fi production, like making movie soundtracks,
or multi-tracking bands, etc...these cards are not the way to go. However,
there is a whole separate range of use cases where they are perfectly fine.
For instance, I already use this Soundblaster card above in my other
notebook computer. I used it for my last two CDs and all my live
performances, and I've never heard a single comment on lack of quality or
fidelity. I'd be willing to bet that if we did a blind test of CDs, using
PCMCIA and higher qualiter firewire/USB units, it would be very difficult to
tell a difference, mainly becuase there are too many factors at play here
that effect the quality. One effects processor in the signal chain can
nullify the "pristine" quality of a D/A converter. It's the whole system,
the holistic gear context taht drives the overall output. And honestly, I
can't tell the difference myself between my recordings, or others'
recordings using these inexpesive audio interface, and others that folks
make with USB or Fireware based audio interfaces. And the Soundblaster card
does indeed, and entirely blow away the quality of the stock soundcard on
the notebook. I can't say whether this will be the case for the ThinkPad
T60p and the Intel High Definition Audio integrated, however. I will wait to
try out the T60 audio I/O before I buy a PCMCIA card.

>> 2. Echo IO
>> ttp://www.echoaudio.com/Products/CardBus/IndigoIO/index.php - $200

> Same as above

Same as above for me too...but even more so here. The reviews of this IO
unit seem to indicate that it produces higher quality results than the
Soundblaster. So I'm guessing the IO is more than what I need...unless I
decide to start producing moving sound tracks, recording entire bands,
etc..for commerical viability. For solo looping with the guitar, I think the
IO is a perfect option for quality and portability, size, etc. Again, I'll
wait to here the T60p audio I/O first....who knows, maybe I'll get lucky!
:)

>> 3. Echo DJ -
>> http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/CardBus/IndigoDJ/index.php - $200
>
> Doesn't seem to have any inputs. (You're not a DJ, are you?)

It has a stereo input, but two stereo outputs...not much different than the
IO. I don't need it, but the addtional stereo output might be useful to
someone.

>> 4. RME Hammerfall HDSP Laptop Cardbus -
>> http://www.rme-audio.com/english/hdsp/cardpci.htm#CARDBUS - $299
>
> This will have an extra box and you will have to add something like at
> least $700 to the mentioned price (though it has really world class
> converters)

Good catch on this one. Thanks!

Kris



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