which audiointerface for notebook?

lola · Post by **lola** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:59 am

I am thinking to get me a notebook pc (xp), i am totally new to these kind of machines.
What low cost audio interface would you recommend?
No multiple outs needed.
Just plain left/right.

Should i choose usb, firewire, or pcmcia.

What is your opinion and experience?

lola · Post by **lola** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:16 pm

That's not much

dru · Post by **dru** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:08 pm

What machines do you normally use? Your requirements are pretty basic, so why not just use the onboard sound for now? If you're using a PC, then look into ASIO4ALL for your soundcard driver.

Otherwise, stick to a Mac and just use onboard sound.

From reading this forum, a lot of users have even done live performances with the standard soundcards.

lola · Post by **lola** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:20 pm

Hi dru

Thanks for the reply.
I did not know that's where i hoped for , to just use the onboard device... but thought it was not good enough.

Dr Dub · Post by **Dr Dub** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:37 pm

for simple stereo playback, the onboard might be ok, test it first.

ASIO4All is just a greatgreatgreat thing for budget Musicians.

If you want to record Audio or if you need more outputs, you will want a firewireinterface, or perhaps usb 2.

Just as one example, the presonus Firebox is tested and working good, and it s not that expensive.
If you buy a souncard, keep in mind that you don t just buy all the options that are printed on the thing, but at first you want to buy a well supported product with good drivers.

t1mp · Post by **t1mp** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:14 pm

i think on a mac a duet would be nice.

pc...hmmm....

lola · Post by **lola** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:23 pm

Its just for going on stage.
I work normally with a desktop and a hammerfall interface.
But thats a pci one.

Maybe asio for all will work ok for a notebook.
A mac i can't afford it this moment + i like to have compatibility , so i found a shop that custom builds laptops for a decent price.

naph · Post by **naph** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:51 pm

just bought a presonus firebox and i feel like i can suggest you to buy this one. Decent price (got mine at 310 eur), really loud outputs (nice for the stage).
Maybe the sound is not as warm as on rme or motu, but for the price i'd definitively buy this another time.

avoid m-audio, played both with a fasttrack pro usb and a firewire 1410, output are just not loud enough for goin on stage (if you get an allen you'r lucky so you can compensate because of the high range gain pots, if you get an old pioneer or even worse a crappy mixer, you're fucked)

Also, if you want low latency, firewire got a little advantage over usb. Make sure your notebook has a Texas Instruments chipset, or buy a pcmcia/expresscard adapter. Altough my presonus works fine also on my builtin nec controller, the latency is lower on TI.

Moody · Post by **Moody** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:28 pm

Try out ASIO4all. If that does not sound good you can try one of these. They have a DJ version of this card as well. It these are not your thing then move up to the firewire setups.

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:57 pm

The Indigo IO and Dj are great cards but you need a PCMCIA slot for them and macbooks don't have that (expresscard is not the same). I just broke my Echo Indigo IO card and that p*ssed me off because it gave me 3 great years.

Internal cards are OK for playing back sounds but they suck ass at recording, and usually have ridiculous latency that is only sometimes solved by ASIO4ALL. My personal advice is always get a proper audio interface. On a Mac look at various firewire interfaces. The macs internal card is better than most internal laptop cards but really, it still is very limiting and not a great choice in the long run if you want to record instruments and vocals as well as internal sounds.

I would also say avoid M-Audio's cards they are not what they once were. What budget do you have available to buy a sound card.

formatk · Post by **formatk** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:15 pm

i never us an external card when performing. My macbook's built in sound is more than adequate. I don't do huge "main stage" type gigs and unless you're working with an engineer and performing at that kind of pro level, I don't think it makes much difference.

Moody · Post by **Moody** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:31 pm

He is getting a PC people.

lola · Post by **lola** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:03 pm

Moody wrote:He is getting a PC people.

Gehehe yea.
But thanks for all those tips!, but like i said a mac is just to expensive for me at this moment.
A mac pro is about 2400 euro.... for half the money i am getting a custom build pc note book.

dru · Post by **dru** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:07 am

Well, why not tell us your budget for laptop and soundcard and we'll suggest some combinations.

lola · Post by **lola** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:15 am

The laptop i found allready, but like i said its custom build.

specs:
Screen: 17" TFT ClearView
Proc : Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2,2GHz, 800MHz FSB, 4Mb cache)
VIDEO: nVidia GeForce 8400m G 128MB VGA, 64 bit interface with TurboCache
(max. 512MB with 1Gb RAM, max 895MB with 2Gb RAM)
DirectX 10.0 compatible
AUDIO: High Definition 3D 2 channel audio
5.1 digital(SP/DIF )
2 stereo speakers
Memory: 2GB DDR2 667MHz (2x 1GB)
HD: 200GB 7200RPM Serial-ATA
DVD:-/+ dual layer
COMMUNICATIon: 56k fax/modem
10/100Mbps LAN ethernet
802.11b/g 54Mbps wireless network modul
Bluetooth ClassII version 2.0 with EDR(Enhanced Data Rate)
IN-OUT 3x USB2.0 connector
SP/DIF optic digital out (5.1 channel)
headphone out
mic in
Line-in
VGA(dual-view) connector
Modem RJ11
Ethernet RJ45
Express card 54 (34-slot
Dim: 397mm (B) x 280mm (D) x 28mm/39mm (H)
Weight 2,98 kg
OS/XP

Thats about it, i will pay 1000 euro for the laptop, and have a spare 200 for a card, if necessary