New Sound card part II

[Dogboy73]

Okay, Since info on the Terratec Phase 24FW seems to range from minimal to none I'm a little put off buying one now. Everyone seems to gravitate towards the M-Audio cards & I can't seem to resist doing this myself. So, I've shortlisted 2 cards that I think will be suitable for my needs.

M-Audio Audiophile FireWire

M-Audio FireWire Solo

Both seem well priced & both are external Firewire cards which is favorouable as I plan to get a laptop in the future. I/O options vary but I think I should have everything covered with either of these + my Behringer UB502 (the worlds smallest mixer!). 2 quick questions (1 of which I've asked before but could do with some extra confirmation on the replies I got).

1). Is latency likely to be an issue with an external FireWire card?

2). Will I still get my basic stereo audio in games & DVD's?

Some people asked before if a breakout box was really needed & I would now say YES. It's already like the spaghetti junction round the back of my PC as is & I really can't be arsed fumbling around trying to attach cables amongst other things (I have a USB key but no working USB ports on the front of my PC. right pain in the arse trying to use that!) I'd rather pay more & go the breakout box route.

Cheers for any advice on this.

[Slow Joe]

1). Is latency likely to be an issue with an external FireWire card?

No

2). Will I still get my basic stereo audio in games & DVD's?

Probably

[Dogboy73]

1). Is latency likely to be an issue with an external FireWire card?

No

Cool.

2). Will I still get my basic stereo audio in games & DVD's?

Probably

Cheers for your reply Slow joe. Trying to get info on these 2 cards & the Phase 24W has been like trying to get blood out of a stone! I thought the M-Audio cards were very popular but not many people seem to have anything to say about the FireWire products. I thought there would be plenty of laptop/M-audio users on here.

I've e-mailed Dolphin to see if they can shed some light on the in-game sound issue. No reply yet though. Maybe they're unsure themselves. I only play the odd round on Counter Strike but sad though it is I don't think I could do without my CS fix & so need my in game audio! :wink:

[Bricks]

I was also considering one of the FW cards from M-audio. But I just can't make up my mind.

I almost ordered a Solo (for the XLR and 'guitar' input, I need that more than the MIDI of the FW Audiophile), but then I saw it required Service Pack 2 which I'm not to keen on to install. Should I indeed worry about it?

The FW 410 also looks nice but would cost me twice as much as the Solo.

Maybe I'll still end up with a PCI audiophile 2496 and a UB802 mixer...

[Dogboy73]

I don't have SP2 either (Can't be arsed downloading it at the risk of it screwing something up on my system!).

I'm now swaying towards an M-audio Delta 44 or 66. This still has a breakout box with 4-in/4-out I/O (Via 1/4" jack plugs). I think this will do me & you can pick them up new for around £100 now so it's very well priced compared to even the cheapest M-Audio FW cards.

I've also got a small Behringer mixer (UB502). With that & the Delta I think I should have all my I/O requirements tied up & then some!

[der_gary]

... but then I saw it required Service Pack 2 which I'm not to keen on to install. Should I indeed worry about it?

... (AFAIK) ... Firewire requires Service Pack 2 (which I also don't have) and unless you are making a completely clean install, or are willing to risk trashing some of your settings/applications by installing it 'after-the-fact' which is to say not sequentially OS/SP1/SP2 > applications etc.. You might reconsider firewire, for the time being anyway...

It's a 'risk' as some people have had trouble, and others haven't.

... It seems Microsoft has cut some kind of deal with venders (probably regarding 'certification') whereby they can't provide the necessary means of using either USB-2, or firewire, unless you have installed the appropriate SP, which of course you can't get anywhere (in theory) but from MS. :roll:

best.

[Dogboy73]

http://forum.midiaddict.com/viewtopi...56493&start=25

Had a change of heart again Made some last minute changes to my decission to buy the Delta 44 (After I'd changed from the FireWire idea previously). Ended up with an Audiophile 2496 & a Soundcraft Compact 4 mixer :?