Delta 44 or 66?

[gUEv]

I am completley over "computer speakers" i dont care about 5.1 at all, as i just listen to music on this computer. hearing (even mp3s) on a good pair of studio monitors simply changed my entire thought process, and immedidiatley regret the thousands i have spent at creative and logitech.


anyways...so yeah, i have http://www.avantonline.com/event_ps6.htm and i will soon be getting http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=28353

I am not going to be doing any heavy recording or using a mixer on this computer, but can i plug in a small roland or something later on if i decide?

now the sound card, so i need the "S/PDIF digital I/O (coaxial) with 2-channel PCM" on the delta 66?

I dont even know what digital I/O is, but I am assuming the delta 44 will be find for both my speaker needs?

can someone explain the advantages ond igital I/O?

anyways, any adivce is always appreciated, thanks everyone

 

[charlieg6]

As you noted, the 44 and 66 are the same with the exception of S/PDIF I/O. The digital I/O is useful if you have an external A/D or D/A converter, or if you want to record from a digital source- which apparently you do not, and that's fine. The 44 will work well for all your needs including playing back music and recording with your mixer hooked up.

Oh, the advantages of the digital IO:
- if you have a digital source, like a DAT, you can transfer the data from the source into your card without extra A/D conversion (which means less degradation of the signal).
- also, you can use an external A/D or D/A with the digital I/O, since your external A/D conversion will more likely be better than the Delta's (the Deltas aren't bad, but they aren't the *best* either- to get something better you would be spending around $400). Using external conversion would be how you would utilize all of the 66's inputs at once if you're recording.

PS- I own the 66, so I have actually used this gear. Oh, and congrats on the Events- I have the ASP8's. Great monitors.

 

[uvc1977]

Hey Guev, since sound engineering is my "job" here are my 2 cents.

To add to what Charlieg6

one other advantage digital I/O, a cheap soundcard like the Delta 44/66 with a spdif interface can be combined with a high quality mic-pre-amp/analog digital convertor and be able "potentially" be able to record your own music with excellent results. I say "potentially" because the skill of the sound engineer, mics & pre-amps you use, the acoustical space you record in all play a big part and finally the "talent" being recorded.

Spdif is a 2 channel i/o format - stands for Sony Phillips Digital Interface.

You wont be able to connect the spdif output from the M-Audio Delta 66 to the Event monitors because they dont have a Spdif interface, you'll have to use the analog outputs

In regards to the Delta soundcards they are fine for recording line level signals such as keyboards/synths but since they dont have mic pre amps you would need to look at either buying a mic pre amp or a mixing console with inbuilt mic pre amps. There are plenty of inexpensive soundcards out there that have inbuilt mic pre-amps. A few to consider

Edirol UA-25 $US239
M-Audio Mobile Pre $US149
Tascam US-122 $US199
M-Audio Firewire Solo $US199

Out of these I personnelly recommend the Edirol UA-25, well designed and excellent features for stereo recording. If you think you want to record more channels at a time then you will have more to spend more $$$,

 

[charlieg6]

All good points listed above. Just to clarify, almost any mixer you buy will have mic preamps built it. They may not be the best, but they will get you by until you can tell the difference. The USB interfaces listed above will probably have better preamps than most cheap mixers you buy.

Personally, I like the Delta cards because I get to choose my own external preamps for every source, but that isn't for everyone, esp. if you want an "all-in-one" box. Also, I still have an unfounded fear of USB for multiple channels of digital audio carried over from USB 1.0, even though I used the M-Audio USB interface for a short time and it did fine.

 

[uvc1977]

I havent used the M-Audio Delta cards, but everything i have read has been positive. In regards to USB I wouldnt worry, i have used a Edirol UA-5 for the last 3 and a half years for on location work and I have not had a single problem. For stereo recording usb is fine, for multi track recording stick with firewire. Anyhow Guev congrats on your Event Monitors.

 

[albumleaf]

Originally posted by: gUEv
I am completley over "computer speakers" i dont care about 5.1 at all, as i just listen to music on this computer. hearing (even mp3s) on a good pair of studio monitors simply changed my entire thought process, and immedidiatley regret the thousands i have spent at creative and logitech.


anyways...so yeah, i have http://www.avantonline.com/event_ps6.htm and i will soon be getting http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=28353

I am not going to be doing any heavy recording or using a mixer on this computer, but can i plug in a small roland or something later on if i decide?

now the sound card, so i need the "S/PDIF digital I/O (coaxial) with 2-channel PCM" on the delta 66?

I dont even know what digital I/O is, but I am assuming the delta 44 will be find for both my speaker needs?

can someone explain the advantages ond igital I/O?

anyways, any adivce is always appreciated, thanks everyone

I would suggest waiting for a good deal to pop on ebay. I got a pair of new tr-8's for $250 shipped just a little while ago and I saw a pair of new 20/20 bas go for 350+ship some time ago as well

 

[gUEv]

thanks for the advice everyone! educational and helpful, probably one of the best-answered threads i have ever poster


anyways, it looks like the 44 will be fine, all of the mixing/audophile stuff (which is totally not my dept/out of my league) is doen on the video editing machine downstairs.


again, thanks everyone.