PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

Hello and sorry if this isn't the correct forum for this:

I'm looking forward to purchasing a CreamWare soundcard, for both audio and MIDI use, probably second hand since the prices seem to be rather buyer-friendly.

However, I'm getting awfully mixed up by all the separate cards and their different versions and upgrades: Luna, Luna II, Elektra, Pulsar I, Pulsar II, PowerPulsar, SCOPE Home, Project and Professional... I'm sure you get the picture!

The used Pulsar I cards with 4 DSP's aren't too expensive and there are rather plenty of them for sale. What I'd like to know is what can they do, how far can they be upgraded to and at what actual cost.

For instance the Modular synth system, which looks absolutely fabulous; what version must the Pulsar software be for it to be included, and if it's not, what does it cost to upgrade the software to include it? Or should I forget the Pulsar line altogether and try to find a card of a different type?

I apologize if my questions are dumb or illogical in anyway. Any other advice regarding obtaining a cost-effective CreamWare system for personal, non-professional use is more than welcome!

Thanks in advance!

the luna2/powersampler cards are scope home cards. the pulsar2 is scope project, and the powerpulsar/scope sp card is the scope professional card.

the pulsar1 card is fine and can be used with all the same software. it can also integrate fully with a second generation card. the pulsar1 cannot do ultra low latency, however. to go below 13ms at 44.1khz it must be teamed with a secnd gen card. there are other refinements in the second generation cards(like the ability to do an sp/dif loop), but they are not as obvious as the latency issue...

hope that helps. as you can see there really aren't that many different cards, just different packages....

Also make sure that before buying to know what software (software keys)are included with your purchase.

Most PulsarI don't come with Mod II unless the user has upgraded (proPack) or bought the device online for the board.

you don't automatically get all the trimming of Scope 4.0 simply by installing Scope 4.0 version. based on what software keys belong to your card you will be able to unlock certain software of the Scope Platform.

So find what devices are bundles with that PulsarI before you buy it.

That warning goes for Luna/Powersampler/Electra/Pulsar1/Pulsar2 (some early Pulsar2 cards don't have the full software either.

To let you know that 4 DSP ( Pulsar 1 ) is really low, I call my Pulsar II ( 6 DSP ) my survival kit so you see.

Around 5 voices for small modular patches, 2-3 medium, very large : can't be run.

By size, I mean how much it eats DSP, the Flexor modules add-on are a massive rocket booster to the modular but they are hungry.

If you have the money for putting a 3 + 4 DSP cards combo that would be a winner and as was said " weight " what plugs are included with each card also consider a Scope Pro with one fat bundle ( synths of FX ) included for free.

Happy numbers crunching !

hehe.. yeah well... I use my pulsar 1 (yes "one") only as a low latency card for cubase. Most synths are vsti and I still can't get XTC to work...