Like everyone I want a real Soundcard.
In my case I need it to record 8 channel analog and do mixing and mastering with Cubase Vst 5.
As i read some guys have problems with asio2, some say the plugins like reverb don´t sound good.
Another way to think is: Spend the money for a better PC is more usful than buying a dsp card because you speed up the hole system.
No board, no negativ feedback, I know.
But if you read this and own a solution that works I would be very happy to know it!
If you want to recommend me something, please do!
My setup now:
P3 500,30 gig ibm, 196mb ram, sblive aps,alesis studio 24 mixer.
Thank you for replying!
Creamware Hardware rocks?
There are two main schools of thought:
<b>Native.</b> Uses your computer's CPU to generate sounds, then outputs the sound to a soundcard.
<i>Pros:</i> Lots of software, lots of choices, CPUs are getting faster everyday. <i>Cons:</i> Most of it sounds like crap, and you can't play in realtime with no latency (this part is really important to me.) Current CPUs hit a limit which you can't pass, and must wait for "the next computer" which has enough power.
<b>Non-Host/DSP based</b> Offload the work from the CPU onto specialized audio processors.
<i>Pros:</i> Zero latency, just like real hardware since it <b>is</b> real hardware; Generally better sound quality (always exceptions though); If you need more power, you can add another DSP card (if the DSP system allows it; Oasys doesn't).
<i>Cons:</i> Locked into a particular DSP system; costs more; less choices for software.
Yes, the "miniVerb" that comes with Pulsar sounds pretty bad. However, there are a few 3rd party reverbs that sound fabulous including the Sonic Timeworks 4080L and the larger Earlyfirst PT20xxL series. DSPDEV also makes reverbs that some people really like. Both Earlyfirst and DSPDEV have lesser-quality verbs out for free to play with, but they don't match the ones they sell of course.
If you're on a tight budget and want to get a taste for what DSP can do for you, I would suggest a Creamware Luna II card, or a PowerSampler/Elektra card. If you have the $$, then jump directly into a PulsarII card. I really love my Pulsar, the best part for me is the high soundquality, zero latency, and all the unique 3rd party devices, which you can't get <i>anywhere</i> else
<b>Native.</b> Uses your computer's CPU to generate sounds, then outputs the sound to a soundcard.
<i>Pros:</i> Lots of software, lots of choices, CPUs are getting faster everyday. <i>Cons:</i> Most of it sounds like crap, and you can't play in realtime with no latency (this part is really important to me.) Current CPUs hit a limit which you can't pass, and must wait for "the next computer" which has enough power.
<b>Non-Host/DSP based</b> Offload the work from the CPU onto specialized audio processors.
<i>Pros:</i> Zero latency, just like real hardware since it <b>is</b> real hardware; Generally better sound quality (always exceptions though); If you need more power, you can add another DSP card (if the DSP system allows it; Oasys doesn't).
<i>Cons:</i> Locked into a particular DSP system; costs more; less choices for software.
Yes, the "miniVerb" that comes with Pulsar sounds pretty bad. However, there are a few 3rd party reverbs that sound fabulous including the Sonic Timeworks 4080L and the larger Earlyfirst PT20xxL series. DSPDEV also makes reverbs that some people really like. Both Earlyfirst and DSPDEV have lesser-quality verbs out for free to play with, but they don't match the ones they sell of course.
If you're on a tight budget and want to get a taste for what DSP can do for you, I would suggest a Creamware Luna II card, or a PowerSampler/Elektra card. If you have the $$, then jump directly into a PulsarII card. I really love my Pulsar, the best part for me is the high soundquality, zero latency, and all the unique 3rd party devices, which you can't get <i>anywhere</i> else
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algorhythm
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the best bet for you might to be hawk on ebay and buy a used Pulsar I on ebay and to buy an ADAT A/D convertor. A pulsar can be had for $500 used and the fostex convertor will cost ya bout $300. 240 mhz of floating point on dsps, a boatload of plugins, 8 analog ins with room for expansion, $800, 0 latency. The Luna I will cost ya bout the same, but only 3 dsps and no pulsar software.
subhumans suggestion is good (luna II) but you said you need 8 ins. . .
subhumans suggestion is good (luna II) but you said you need 8 ins. . .
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algorhythm
- Posts: 1139
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"You can add the I/O board to the LunaII for ADAT then you'd have a new second generation card with warranty and the Ultra Low Latency Interface for low latency plugin usage..."
but you will still pay more and not have any A/D convertors. . .
Pulsar I runs at 13 ms, good enough for most - harder for VSTi usage though and playing realtime through VST plugins. warranty might be an issue, but shit always breaks _right after_ the warranty expires.
there are advantages to either approach.
but you will still pay more and not have any A/D convertors. . .
Pulsar I runs at 13 ms, good enough for most - harder for VSTi usage though and playing realtime through VST plugins. warranty might be an issue, but shit always breaks _right after_ the warranty expires.there are advantages to either approach.
shit always breaks _right after_ the warranty expires.
yeah! lol
Thank you guys. The recommendations are interesting. I checked out the Cards and A/D Interfaces. It´s the best you can get for a good price.
I´m not sure if I do it the cheap (Luna 2 and box) way or if I go for the hard way ( HammerfallDSP + XTC ) By the way: anyone got that? It´s to new I think.
So, the mini reverb isn´t that good. Is there another good one you get with the card, or is it better to order the 3rd party reverb as soon as possible?
How about the other software stuff and plugins. Do you like it?
Have a good weekend!
yeah! lol
Thank you guys. The recommendations are interesting. I checked out the Cards and A/D Interfaces. It´s the best you can get for a good price.
I´m not sure if I do it the cheap (Luna 2 and box) way or if I go for the hard way ( HammerfallDSP + XTC ) By the way: anyone got that? It´s to new I think.
So, the mini reverb isn´t that good. Is there another good one you get with the card, or is it better to order the 3rd party reverb as soon as possible?
How about the other software stuff and plugins. Do you like it?
Have a good weekend!
Have a look here at some free devices. Look at the pulldown menu at the top - there's 13 pages of FREE devices. Thye'll keep you going for a while....
http://212.118.205.36/SEITEN/New_pulsa_devic.htm
http://212.118.205.36/SEITEN/New_pulsa_devic.htm
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algorhythm
- Posts: 1139
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Tennessee, USA
- Contact:
have a look at the 2012 reverb on the devices page of this site. also dspdev but out a decent 'freeverb.' pulsar is the shit. the routing environment is the best around IMHO - the synths and fx are top notch. the mod2 is a MUST own. If you are looking for XTC software, I'm not altogether sure that it is available for the Luna cards. It is for the XTC card users (PII SRB) and Pulsar users. haven't heard of the hammerfall dsp stuff, but I know that their ADAT i/o card offers great stability and low latency.