Building a Home Studio: New Updates!Music 

  • Thread starter Thread starter Delphic Reason
  • 10 comments
  • 3,311 views
Delphic Reason

Delphic Reason

Delphicreasonium
Staff Emeritus
Messages
9,589
Messages
GTP_DelphicR
Messages
Esoterik1
I am in the market for a new sound card. Specifically, something with MIDI capability (Direct MIDI hook-up preferred). I am expanding my home studio to include MIDI support, and thus need a good quality sound card with the best integration of MIDI. I will be utilizing various controllers such as a Korg Kontrol49 keyboard, Korg PadKontrol, Korg KP3 Kaos Pad, and a Roland MC-505. Seeing as there are a number of musicians on this site, I thought there might be someone here with some knowledge in this department, that might offer up some good advice.

I am running Windows Vista Pro (32) on an Intel Pentium E2160 Dual-Core with 2gb of RAM.

Just looking for tips of what to look for, what to stay away from, etc... Specific sound cards would be nice, but any advice will be greatly appreciated.



;)
 
You could have a look at the:

Terratec - DMX 6Fire USB

1098801_6e527270c2.png

1098802_953417c036.png


Thats a cheap one tho, If you are serious about sound quality and the cash is flowing then I would go for something like this:

M-Audio - Delta 1010 - 10-In/10-Out PCI/Rack Digital Recording System with MIDI and Digital I/O

Link to Pic

or a:

Digidesign Mbox

pro_53454.jpg
Mbox 2 Pro

Mbox hardware come with a great boatload of Pro Tools related software including an LE version of said DAW, the sound quality is very good but the top one the Mbox 2 Pro is $799 and is a pricy bit of kit, but the bundled software is fantastic.

I personally prefer Logic Pro over Pro Tools, but both do the same thing and are fantastic DAWs, on the plus side Protools can use VST plugins and there are tons of plugins for free on the net so expanding the software side is fantastic too. I just wish it was easy to get VST into Logic :(
 
Last edited:
Well, I would definitely like an internal sound card with MIDI support. So the top option is out. However, I'm not really looking to spend $800 either. Anything in between? Something with simple MIDI functionality and high quality sound?




;)
 
M-Audio makes great stuff. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Personally, I hardly use any hardware synths anymore, so a MIDI interface is something I have not looked for in years. ;)
 
Delphic Reason
I decided to go for the "M Audio Delta 1010LT"

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010LT.html

Exactly what I was looking for and then some.

Thank you, Sprite, for the M-Audio link. After doing some research, I found this to be a fantastic alternative to the $750 flagship card.




;)
Click to expand...

Glad you have found something, Its always hard trying to find the right product for the right job, but with music stuff there are so many variations its more the fact that your spoilt for choice. M-Audio are fantastic and im sure you will use the new hardware. Keep us updated on it.
 
NLxAROSA
M-Audio makes great stuff. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Personally, I hardly use any hardware synths anymore, so a MIDI interface is something I have not looked for in years. ;)
Click to expand...

I'm using Hardware Synths as well as software. I'm using just about any instrument I can get my hands on to make some kind of sound, to be honest. MIDI is just an interesting way of getting the software and hardware to talk to each other so I can get interesting effects. My favorite toy at the moment is my DSI Evolver. Very expensive, but very versatile analog Synth/Sequencer. Having MIDI hookup for it will just open up more possibilities.

Glad you have found something, Its always hard trying to find the right product for the right job, but with music stuff there are so many variations its more the fact that your spoilt for choice. M-Audio are fantastic and im sure you will use the new hardware. Keep us updated on it.
Click to expand...

I'm sure I will. I will keep you all updated.




;)
 
Just received my M-Audio 1010LT

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010LT.html

along with a few other new toys:

Roland SH-32 - Desktop Synthesizer/MIDI Sound Module

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=270
946725698_2325cb7553.jpg


M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 - MIDI Controller Keyboard with integrated DAW automation

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/AxiomPro49.html

I'll be using the Axiom primarily with Pro-Tools and Reason 4, but also with Acid. The automatic DAW controls (also programmable) was the main reason I went this route.

Now I'm looking for a good vocal mic. Condenser? Ribbon? I'm also needing something to mic guitars, drums, and other external sounds.

Any advice?




;)
 
UPDATE:

Well, I sold the M-Audio 1010LT (PCI Audio Interface), and it was for one simple reason, Electro Magnetic Distortion (a common problem with internal audio interfaces). So, I have opted for the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra external audio interface.

fasttrack_ultra_v2008.jpg


http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackUltra.html

This will allow me to locate the interface in a place far away from my PC and anything else that may get in the way of the audio signal.

Hooked up to the Interface will be a Mackie 1402 VLZ3 14 channel mixer.

mackie1402vlz3.jpg


http://www.mackie.com/products/1402vlz3/index.html

Things are coming together. It's a slow process, but a couple more months and the basics of my studio should be finished.



;)
 
Last edited:

Latest Posts

Back