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Posted by: gibsonmatte Dec 29 2008, 09:28 AM

Hi guys!

I've spent some time now searching thru the forums for sound interfaces/cards to use for home recording. I have seen lots of recommendations for the Line6 TonePort but at the same time these seem to have some limitations regarding recording with a mic, am I right?

I stumbled upon this one, the EMU - 0404 USB2 Soundcard that is, and would really like your input to this guys!

I will probably buy an external sound interface soon and really need some expert advice before I decide which interface to buy. I will record guitar (acoustic and electric) as well as song. Since this is merely for home use only ( demos and such ) I don't want to spend a fortune on an interface (max 300 € ).

Thanks in advance!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 29 2008, 02:13 PM

Well, 0404USB is definitely better than Toneport. Just to clarify, with Toneport UX1 you can record both microphone and guitar in multitrack (2 channels).

Toneport comes with Gearbox modeling software that has cool presets for guitar, better than 0404USB.

0404USB comes with onboard DSP effects that can be run without using CPU (Gearbox uses CPU). It has better effects, but not so good for guitar, more for music producing.

Still, I would advise to get 0404USB - it is a better device in general, better converters, and better onboard effects. It has very small latency compared to Toneport as well. You can always run Guitar Rig 3 with it.

Posted by: gibsonmatte Dec 29 2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks for the input Ivan!

And while I got your attention Ivan , do you have any other recommendations? An interface in the same "price range"?

Thanks!

Posted by: kjutte Dec 29 2008, 03:15 PM

Well, I have that card. I use the DI out on my tubeamp, into a behringer frequency filter first though.
I am really satisfied,but depending on your skill and gear the toneport may be a better go for now.

I'd need some more info!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 29 2008, 03:20 PM

If you wanna record guitar+mic, there is Native Instruments Guitar Rig Session. It can be possibly a better choice then 0404USB cause you get Guitar Rig 3 XE version and Cubase 4 LE for free with it. For 199$, I think it's a great deal. It has solid Cirrus Logic converters and supports up to 24bit/196kHz. You will need a bit better computer for working with it, because Guitar Rig will use CPU processing, but since 0404USB don't have good onboard guitar modeler as well, you would have to use GR3 anyway if you know what I mean, and still use the CPU power. So in the end my vote goes to GR Session.

Posted by: jer Dec 29 2008, 03:25 PM

While not familiar with either of those things, I can speka for EMU's sound quality.

I have the 1212m and LOVE it. Sounds awesome!!!!

Posted by: gibsonmatte Dec 29 2008, 03:43 PM

Again thanks for the info Ivan. I checked the Guitar Rig 3 and the sounds were awesome! (the examples sound files that I found on native's webpage).

But what about this setup:
- 0404USB
- POD 2 (today I only use this with a small amp and not connected to my laptop)

This will at least be somewhat cheaper

Posted by: Washburned Dec 29 2008, 03:43 PM

wow guys, I have no words , in here only the UX 1 cost about 200$, not to say about the UX2, feels like the whole government against musicians

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 29 2008, 03:54 PM

Sure mate, this setup looks nice to me. You can use it no problem and get great results. As I said EMU0404 is a very good interface, one class above Toneport and similar devices, so 0404+POD2 should definitely be a solid foundation for making excellent home recordings.

Another important thing, just to add. When going through POD and 0404 you will pass through 2 A/D D/A converter sets, one in POD and one in 0404. If I were making a recording chain I would never use two converter sets. What this means is that if you go through POD first, it will cancel out the good quality converters that 0404 has. Remember, 0404 has 96kHz conversion, while POD has 48 max. This doesn't mean that you cannot work like this, I'm just saying that I would try to avoid it. In that case what I would do is eliminate the POD device, and use Guitar Rig 3 for post processing for some quality recordings. For some fast plug&play recording stuff, POD+0404 sounds like a good idea.

Posted by: Washburned Dec 29 2008, 04:08 PM

sorry for interrupting , but is there any affective difference from the regular 0404 and the 0404USB ?

Posted by: gibsonmatte Dec 29 2008, 04:11 PM

I think Ivan can correct me on this one but as far as I see it the difference from 0404 and the 0404USB is that the 0404USB is an external interface that uses to USB to connect to the PC/Mac.

Posted by: Washburned Dec 29 2008, 05:06 PM

alright , I hope it's the only difference

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 30 2008, 01:04 AM

0404 PCI card doesn't have preamps, and 0404USB has 2 preamps built in. USB mark means that it uses USB 2.0 port for data transfer. The chip, converters and DSP effects are the same.

Posted by: rhoads May 30 2010, 03:59 PM

Hi everybody !
I'm bringing this back to life. Hope I get a quick answer because I about to get a bargain with this kind of sound card.

So, out of what I read this audio interface should be enough for home recording.
Basically I want to use Guitar Rig or Amplitube for guitar effects but for this I need a good sound card because the onboard one is not good.

OK so far, but I read this review: http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU0404
which says that "The guitar input is crap. This is no real Hi-Z input!".

First of all can anybody comment on that (from your won experience) ?

Second, and this is what I'm actually trying to find out, Do I even need this Hi-Z input feature to work good considering the fact that I will use Guitar Rig or Amplitube.

I am trying to clarify if this Hi-Z input is needed only if you want to use the effects that the sound card has incorporated or also if you use Guitar Rig or Amplitube.

And another thing, are there any sound cards that can take from the load of CPU when using guitar software. So, Amplitube (or guitar rig) will not use the CPU so much (and slow down the computer), but instead, will use the sound card. (somehow, it its is possible).

Waiting for your answers.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 30 2010, 07:15 PM

Correct


Didn't test that device in person with instrument, but if the manufacturer says clearly on the site there IS Hi-Z input, and it says so in the manual, than there IS a Hi-Z input. I'm sure manufacturers word is stronger than anonymous comment on the web.


Yes. Hi-Z input means that impedance is rated high, because the signal impedance from instrument is higher than other sources such as microphone or line-level sources. There can be potential damage and tone change if you mismatch the impedance. However, there are cheap DI Box devices that fix this problem, even if you do not have Hi-Z input. DI Boxes have hi impedance line level inputs and turn it to low impedance, mic level outputs.


It's clear now I hope. Software modelers work with digital signal, not analog, so they don't care how the signal was at the input - they only work in digital domain - with what passes digital converters on audio card.


Yes, the CPU will handle these apps much better if the card is faster and has it's own audio processor. This doesn't mean the software modeler workload will be processed with audio card processor, it means audio card has more resources, and it takes off some load out of CPU, so it can perform more stable. If you want to work with modern modelers like GR4, ReValver MKIII or Amplitube 3 (specially within projects), you need at least latest generation dual core processor for comfort DAW work and minimum of 3GB RAM (quad core with minimum 4GB RAM would perform much better tho).

Posted by: rhoads May 31 2010, 07:52 AM

Thank you for your prompt and detailed answer !

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic May 31 2010, 06:30 PM

If you got a bargain for it you should get it since its a very good quality sound card interface. You could use it with no problems with software modelers etc...

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 31 2010, 09:31 PM

You're welcome my friend. Let me know if you need any more help!

Posted by: rhoads Jul 27 2010, 07:21 PM

I finally bought it. That wasn't a bargain anymore but I waited for another one.

For anyone that is interested to buy it, this sound card KICKS ARSE

Especially if you get it at half price .

Thanks for all the info.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jul 28 2010, 06:06 PM

Congrats on getting it! Now you will be hearing/recording some high quality music!