A soundcard to meet my needs...for now.

I am a singer/songwriter with the need to have the ability to simultaneously record a stereo signal from my Kurzweil synth... and a signal from a LD condenser into my Cool Edit pro multitrack software.(Midi will not be an issue..straight audio here) Having the ability to be able to monitor via headphones is a MUST, as I am not going to be using amplification on my keyboard (no bleeding please) and I am going to be singing into my LD condenser mic at the same time as I play. I need to hear the synth for sure! (Keyboard noise is VERY minimal, thankfully) I have been given a few suggestions from retailers, but I seek a "higher authority", namely YOU GUYS. Aardvard LX6 came up, so did Delta 44's and 66's, but there is no provision for monitoring with the Delta's, unless I add-on a headphone amplification unit and so on. Gina's have only 2 inputs, and Layla's are past my expenditure point. I really need help here. I always strive to get the right tool for the job, and have been successful to this point. I just need some help here, or perhaps one of you can refer me to someone in the business who may be able to assist me. Thanks in advance, Lee

 

M-Audio Onmi Studio.

Its a combination of the Delta66 PCI card with the Omni I/O breakout box. It will easily meet your needs. The Delta66 allows 6 (4 of which are analog) simultaneous tracks into and out of your computer. That means you can record your Kurz on Inputs 3-4, while recording your voice on Input 1.

In addition the Omni box has a built in 4 channel mixer (4 stereo channels that is, but with no volume control perfect for synth modules), and a two channel headphone amp, effects inserts for putting a compressor on your vocals, 2 microphone preamps, direct outs for inputs 1-4, and on and on.

It will definitely meet and surpass your needs Lee, for years to come. But it will also take some time to get your head around it, as the manual is not very clear. However you have stumbled across a very good resource for that too!

I have one and, although I am looking to replace it with higher quality components, it has served me extremely well.

mitz

 

I am leaning towards this unit, as long as the soundcard is as heralded as it is for the price. It has to beat my Turtle Beach Santa Cruz hands down, I 'spect. ---Lee

 

not familiar w/turtle, but in terms of pro use, not in the same league as the omni.

 

Well, as long as I am not "left in the dust" with the OMNI as compared to the Lynx's and RME's out there, I will consider the OMNI. I don't expect the same quality as these top of the line cards of course, but I DO expect a noticible jump in fidelity as compared to the Turtle Byotch Santa Cruz card I have been using thus far. Thanks for chiming in! ---Lee

[ September 26, 2003, 05:03 PM: Message edited by: Lee Tyler ]

 

I had a tb montego quadzilla -

The Omni/44/66 combo beats it...hands down! I think trying to get any signal in a mini plug is just not good practice. The pre's on the omni are pretty good. You'll be happy.

 

Thought the OMNI would smoke the 'sumer cards. Just want my money well spent. Thanks Sam! ---
LEE

 

IMO, in the cost-performance ratio, the OMNI is IT. Of course there are products that combine these features and do it better, but at twice the cost...

mitz

 

I have had this setup for acouple of years and it is great. I agree with what the other guys have said. The manual was written on an enigma machine, it is much more versatile than it looks and the mic pres are very quiet. One word of warning if you get one. NEVER plug or unplug a XLR mic with the phantom power switched on. You risk blowing the input chip ( I have- twice). This is good advice with any pp gear but more so with the omni as it has no strapping diodes to stop it, they saved 4c on the cost!

 

In your case I would recomend you ST audio C-station 2000 or maby the new CStation 3000, depending on your budget. I use the 2000 modell and Im really happy with it. It´s got 10 input and 10 output. 8 of the in/outs are analog and 2 are digital.
2 of the analog inputs are even preamped (ok the preamps might not be great but I bet they give any Behringer-mixer-preamp a good run for their money...). All cabels connect to a 19inch beakout box so you don´t have to reach behind your computer...

The best thing with this setup is that it´s not very expensive. The 2000 modell goes for about 5-600$ and considering its a 24/96 ten chanell audiocard I think its a bargain. If you want to spend an even greater amount of money you might go for the 3000 modell it goes for about 900$.

Of course for 900$ you might also considder the WamiRack setup. I havent tried it out myself but I heard a lot of great things about it.

 

Bought the Omni Studio. In the process of evaluating it. Sounds clean, clear, and ALIVE. Made my first recording with it using unbalanced lines and it came out real sweet. It's in the MP3 mixing clinic ("Mad World") for a diagnosis. Will keep you posted. Thanks! ---Lee

 

On my new Delta Omni Studio, there seems to be a favoring of the right side audio---ONLY...when the volume is very, very low. When I lower the volume down to threshold hearing, the right side DEFINATELY sounds louder, but seems to even out with progressive increase in gain adjustments. This is noted as well using the monitor outs with headphones. Can anyone out there confirm that this is an expected occurance with this package? Thanks in advance. ---Lee

 

Lee,
Haven't had that behavior IIRC, I normally leave it around the same level, until its vocal time, then I kill the monitors alltogether. Hence no very low levels here, but I'll check at my soones convenience and report back

mitz

 

Very cool, Mitz. Thanks. I had this response from another board which makes sense:

Whatcha' think, Mitzela?? Awaiting you trying this out on your system. Cheers, Lee.

 

M-Audio states this is NOT typical behavior. They suggested I try another PCI slot and/or use different drivers, but I suspect, as well as the folks that sold me the unit, that that is a doubtful fix. They are going to send me a new unit and give it a shot. I'll let you know what transpires in the next week. Let me know if your unit exhibits this behavior, will ya'? Thanks again! ---Lee

 

My fault Lee, I forgot all about you. I've done a couple recording sessions since we last talked, and no I haven't noticed your right side favoring problem at any level. Sounds like maybe you have bad electronics in the Omni. I'd say RUN back to wherever you got it and get an exchange.

And there is no way in hell that the slot or drivers would cause this type of behavior. I hate M-Audio Tech support. That seems to be their favorite fix. Either that or: "remove the other card... the Delta rules."

Once again sorry for my delayed response

mitz

 

Audio-Midi.com came through as expected and just flat-out sent a replacement with all shipping paid. Seems ok now. Good folks over there. Thanks for rebounding, Mitz! ---Lee

 

my pleasure my man