I have posted on the "budget/home studio etc" w/ no results and am expanding my search for expert advice to this forum. I hope to not p*ss off the moderators as I regard this site as an invaluable resource.
My system is-
P4 1.7g
512 m
ASUS P4SDX (SiS)
7200rpm 80g HD uv course
Cool Edit pro 2.1
Sonar 2.0
Mackie 1604VLZ pro (8 dir outs)
The crux of my inquirery is:
for $450 max what is the best thing I can find either new or used as far as Win/PC stability, minimal live play latency, minimal driver issues and has compatability with PC game software? I will probably never need more than 8 I/O and my desire is to give my son some decent live demo recording capabilities. When it gets serious we will go to a pro studio.
I see the MOTU 2408 mk2 systems are in or under that range but I'm nervous about all the negative PC/driver comments I have read.
I currently have the original GINA 20 bit from Event Electronics before they sold to Echo and as I said in my original post I could never get simultaneous record and control of any softsynth. I could get playback from GINA itself but not playback/output of say Native Inst B4 whilst recording w/ GINA. I tried for yrs through Event tech service, Win98, Echo tech service, Win2k and every driver update from day one. Using an additional soundblaster to control and play softsynths was the only thing that worked. With this in mind can anyone tell me if the same problem exists w/ either the Layla24 or 3G? How do the Laylas compare to the Delta 1010? I don't need mic preamp's so are the DACs in the 3G really that much better to justify the extra 100 bucks the 3G would cost over a used Layla24 w/ that in mind?
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Basically, I think your problem is stemming from not having the
Basically, I think your problem is stemming from not having the B4 assigned to a particular midi channel. Once that's established, you should hear something. Also, if you have'nt done so yet, try upgrading the OS to XP Pro. It's very stable and you'll enjoy it (trust me). I also checked out Echo's web site in reference to the Layla3G since I'm a current Echo user w/ prior ownership of the (Gina20, Layla20 & Layla24) sound cards. I like to use multiple cards interfaced to my 8 bus analog mixer (meaning 2 or 3 of the same interfaces). In reference to the 3G's converters, Echo has put more emphasis on the A/D side (better converters than the Layla 24/96's) since this is what apparently counts moreso than the D/A portion of the card. The end result should yield a slightly better detailed sound not present in anything other than an PT HD system or something equivalent. Personally, I'm going to stick to using the Layla's I have until they break down. I have no need to justify upgrading my cards for the time being.
I am a fan of the delta series cards for price/performance. I t
I am a fan of the delta series cards for price/performance. I think you would be happy with the stability, latency, and sound quality of a Delta 1010. I can't think of the reason for your problems with the Gina card, but you won't have them with M-Audio ( I doubt you would have them with a layla either, but I also can't justify the extra $70 bucks) I have also heard good things about the Layla, but I have no personal experience with it. Check out [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.pcavtech…"]this[/]="http://www.pcavtech…"]this[/] site for test data on both cards.