Laptop soundcard for input, echo indigo dj for output?

drummond · Post by **drummond** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:33 pm

Hi there,

I'm looking to buy a new soundcard for my laptop, as I'm currently using the internal soundcard. I've been looking at the Echo Indigo cards, but undecided between the I/O or the DJ...the one thing that'll swing it will be if I could configure my laptop to record audio on the internal soundcard input and output only on the Echo card.

This won't be in a live situation - for live performances the only input will be via a midi controller into Live itself, and all output from the Echo card.

The recording into the laptop will be done 'in the studio' (for what it is!) of mics, guitars, etc into the internal soundcard.

My question is simply: is this possible?? Two stereo outputs would be rather useful, but I still need to record audio into the laptop...

Cheers!

kabuki · Post by **kabuki** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:58 pm

It sounds like you need both equally. The sound in on most stock laptop cards is crap.

I would look at the Edirol line of multi in/outs with USB 2 or FW connectivity (USB 1.0 will prolly be insufficient...

Or just get BOTH echo cards for the same price as 1 of the other brands... You will find you will need more that 1 sterio pair out for performance (prelisten is a God-send)

hugolp · Post by **hugolp** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 9:37 pm

Hi!

I have the echo indigo io and was quite happy with it untill I started recording proper stuff through the in. I dont know why but the sound I get is bassy and like it looses part of the stereo, very centered. I would recomend to get a usb or firewire soundcar, maybe with the echo dj for playing gigs if you can aford the second soundcard.

Hugo

suburbanbather · Post by **suburbanbather** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:38 am

Indigo dj + a usb keyboard with a soundcard in it. I'm thinking about picking up the new Alesis Photon,360 degree knobs

Does anybody know if you can use the Indigo dj for output and a usb interface for input simultaneously? I don't need audio input that bad but would be nice.

::mic-minimal:: · Post by **::mic-minimal::** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:49 am

my votes for the echo indigo i/o...simply put it is a great sound card, quieter than any other card i've ever heard in any price range, I use it to record everything from turntables to bass, guitar and vocals and it sounds superb. make sure you check out alot of user reviews on whatever cards you're comparing and good luck with your purchase.

robbmasters · Post by **robbmasters** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:14 am

I love my Echo Indigo DJ, but it doesn't sound like any of the Indigos are quite what you need. You can't normally use two soundcards simultaneously (e.g. to record on one and playback on the other). There are a number of workarounds, but they're best suited to those looking for a way to get their existing hardware to work. If you're looking to buy new hardware, I 'd strongly recommend getting something that does everythig you need, so you don't have to try to find ways to do things you're not supposed to be able to do...

Take a look at the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook. It might just be what you need...

::mic-minimal:: · Post by **::mic-minimal::** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 6:41 am

do a search for asio for all

Cache · Post by **Cache** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 7:38 am

yes, i have both indigo cards IO and DJ. both are fantastic, best cards i've seen for laptops. the fact they are cardbus too is great, less gear to lug around with you.

previous poster was right though with the indigo you can't have the best of both worlds. you either are recording (plug in the IO) or DJ'ing (plug in the DJ)

check out the firewire 410 perhaps for doing both. (around $400 i think....)

dub · Post by **dub** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 9:27 am

it's a shame that powerbooks 12" don't have a bus slot...