What soundcard to use with Ableton?

[jalber]

Hi,

I have Live installed on my work PC, and since I travel a lot would like to work on mixes in the evenings away from home.
I'm looking for the smallest possible soundcard that simply lets me listen to what I'm working on, that's as light as possible for travel purposes.
Any recommendations?
What's the minimum spec for a soundcard compatible with Live?

Any advice gratefully received!

Thanks,
jalber

[marconk]

I have heard good things about the Native Instruments audio 2 DJ.
It has 2 outputs so one to headphones (for cueing) and one for going out to a speaker.
I don't have it but I have always liked the look of it.
Hope that helps.

[simpleton]

I'm looking for the smallest possible soundcard ...that's as light as possible for travel purposes.

The Echo Indigo IOx has the smallest footprint of all. With solid drivers.
The smallest, decent USB solution is the M-Audio Transit, but there have been issues with their drivers on Windows.

[Pyro Z]

http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail ... oductId=58

[H20nly]

I have this T.C. Electronic http://www.tcelectronic.com/desktopkonnekt6.asp
its small. maybe not the smallest but is built sturdy, sounds great and is comfortable to use. the heads up interface is nice on it too. it doesn't have phono jacks though.

if you're looking for something to let you listen though and not really do anything else input wise, just tweak a level/pan/effect, you may already be set. Your on board sound card.. don't underrate just because it doesn't have an "industry" name/logo on it.

i think the real answer to your question would have to come from more data on your end. what are you trying to do?

mix a few MIDI tracks?
mix a few Audio tracks?
both?

create new beats/patterns on the fly?
edit beats/patterns on the fly?
both?

?? I only ask because you don't need an additional sound card based on the info you provided.

[martin808]

I second the echo iox. excellent drivers and really good sound for the size of the card. ultra portable and it has a decent headphone amp also. I got mine for less then half the price second hand on ebay. I had the PCMCIA version before it which was just the same.

[Dink]

I have a Kontrol 1 from Native instruments and the thing is solid. Comes with Ableton presets and has the ability to attach 4 monitors on 2 separate tracks. I would read in to products and what they are best suited to what you are trying to accomplish before jumping in to a purchase. Presonus products have been known in the past to cause interference, so take that in to account unless you read other wise. Remember cheap is not always a bad thing, but consider the functions.

I must say the TC piece looks nice bro

[Pyro Z]

Hey don't hate on my PreSonus. I love my FSP. lol

What type of interference are we talking about exactly? Electromagnetic? I've never had an issue with this. Though I don't own a FireStudio Mobile for lots of testing, I don't see why it would be any difference. Don't confuse it for the FireBox....it's a completely different beast.

[SongArtist]

I use an old card; Edirol FA-66 firewire, (PC: XP.32, Quad Q6600, 2.Gig-Ram).

The FA-66 has superb solid drivers; no issues at all and round trip latency is hardly noticeable.

I start off using Ableton 'Live' then mixdown using another DAW, sometimes my mixes would consist of up to 50 tracks with a boat load of effects and mastering plugins (T-Racks3), honestly it all runs very smoothly.

The downfall; the FA-66 mic pres could be a little better.

One day I may upgrade to Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP

[DiamondCasanova]

The Echo unit looks cool, but only 1 pair of of Stereo Outs. You should get at least 2 pairs.

I would also go for something USB powered.

Although there ware FW powered boxes, you have to be careful b/c most laptops only come with the smaller FW connectors which do NOT power the box, hence external adapter.

Edirol should be pretty solid.

Ideally a USB powered Audio/MIDI interface with a smallish keyboard/control surface.

[JAMM]

Edirol fa66 here. Love it. Sturdy and no problems.

[t1mp]

lexicon alpha here.

cheap
effective
gets job done

[evaodland]

Creative x-fi USB 2.0

it is a very slick piece of hardware. I use on my MacBook White unibody (not for macs but works anyway)

It does 24/96 input and output...has two stereo in, and two stereo outs (RCA pairs) as well as a center sub channel out.

It does 5.1...

and it is under $60 dollars and has a big volume knob on it (that works in Winderz...not Mac)

It sounds most excellent...and I have not had any audio issues with it...

Mac was plug and play with a tweak of the MIDI Config Utility app...if you wanted more than simple stereo out.

I use Live Intro 8.1.3 right now and that is limited to 2 in 2 out...so this device if working for me

[Markemark]

Hey don't hate on my PreSonus. I love my FSP. lol

What type of interference are we talking about exactly? Electromagnetic? I've never had an issue with this. Though I don't own a FireStudio Mobile for lots of testing, I don't see why it would be any difference. Don't confuse it for the FireBox....it's a completely different beast.

I was thinking about getting a FireBox, what are the big differences? I'll mostly be using it to record electric guitars and mics, and output to different sources(guitar amps, monitors, pa), maybe some dj stuff using outs to a pa and a cue. Thanks for the input!!

[lapieuvre]

I have the M-Audio transit, it is great, but if you have a tight budget, asio4all.com is free and does the job well!