1/3 Octave Software EQ - Page 2

RedGTiVR6 · 03-22-2006, 12:37 PM

chuyler and I are talking about a high end studio sound card

leme see if I can lay it out where it makes sense...which I'm not very good at.

We'll just use my set-up as an example:

computer -> PCMCIA sound card -> 701 -> amps - > speakers

now we are looking for:

computer -> sound card -> amps

this sound card will have to have the following:
[list][*]multi-channel RCA outputs (a PAIR of ourputs per channel: R/L)[*]higher voltage coming from the sound card than most sound cards (2v AT LEAST - honnestly 4v would be the lowest I think I'd consider going)[*]enough room between the RCA outs to put a NICE RCA end in there[*]high quality DA converters[*]high quality opamps
[/quote]

things along these lines

yes, the alpine does all of these things, and the only way I'd consider making the change is if I found a card that would actually be higher quality (maybe even same quality) as the alpine.

IF I found that, I'd probably go that route because it would be much more streamlined.

scott_fx · 03-22-2006, 01:07 PM

i actually did a lot of research trying to find a 4v output...looking into the a/v editing cards and breakout boxes (used in protools setups) and didnt find anything that beat the alpine units (trust me... integrating the controller into my dash is costing me a lot of $$ and time, so if there were other easier options i would have gone with that and kept my old setup that i was happy with)

I do have access to a breakout box that is used with our avid and protools system that my side company has but if memory serves me right the voltage isn't that impressive.

not trying to be negative here, i'd like the same thing as you guys. has anyone heard anything new on the onkyo sound cards?

RedGTiVR6 · 03-22-2006, 01:08 PM

thanks for the input scott (i'm assuming that's your name by your screen name).

I personally haven't found anything on the onkyo, but it's worth looking into!

RedGTiVR6 · 03-22-2006, 02:34 PM

some external cards that have been shown to me:

http://www.4beatz.com/proddetail~prod~gigaportag.htm

http://www.audiomidi.com/PHASE-26-US...PID=392&AFID=3

Not sure about the quality of them though...

anyone have any thoughts?

scott_fx · 03-22-2006, 03:52 PM

didnt have too much time to look into it (lunch break) but i found these:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/delta1010lt.html

M-Audio Audiophile 192 High-Definition 4-in/4-out Audio Card
this one has 3.9v on the balanced outs:
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/m...phile-192.html

M-Audio Firewire 18/14
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/firewire-1814.html
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...814-focus.html
not exactly sure about this one

M-Audio Fast Track Pro
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/m...Track-Pro.html

this is very tempting, i may have a pxa-h700 up for sale in the near future.

RedGTiVR6 · 03-22-2006, 03:59 PM

I've found that first and second one as well (just didn't link them)

I guess my concern is finding out about the quality of the components of these cards vs. the alpine...wonder how we could find that out...lol

I guess my next question is how would you interface with the last two you posted?

scott_fx · 03-22-2006, 04:07 PM

from the film world, avid is the leader in editing systems, m-audio is a division of avid so; based on there reputation, i would assume that they are good quality components. I would leave the specs up to you since you are more knowledgable in that realm of the hobby.

i would just go balanced out 1/4" (i believe that's what they use) to balanced xlr (my amp has balanced inputs). if you dont have balanced inputs on your amp i *think* you can make a cable where you ground pin 2 (DONT QUOTE ME ON THIS, I'M JUST THINKING BACK TO MY COLLEGE DAYS) and you'll have unbalanced level. There could be something wrong with this technique but i cant think of it at the moment.

I'm emailing m-audio now and hopefully will get some answers.

Quack · 03-22-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by chuyler1

Anwidasoft claims that their 30 band GEQ plugin will run on a P200 w/ 32MB RAM.
http://www.anwida.com/product.asp?pid=11

They also have a PEQ standalone product with the same requirements...
http://www.anwida.com/product.asp?pid=6

I noticed these while I was looking through Anwidasoft's products. The first is a plugin, so you need to purchase additional software. Andiwasoft points you to Steinberg. Looks like their Wavelab Essential may work (I'm definitely not an expert on this though). At $150, it's the lowest priced software they offer.

The second, standalone product is parametric, but only 3 band. I think we're looking for more control than that.

Here's the link from my original post for Anwidasoft's 15-band standalone EQ, but...it's only 15 bands. Plus it's not listed as a current product, so I'm guessing it's discontinued.

I'm not ruling Anwida out yet...just looks like there stuff won't do the job right off the shelf.

As for soundcard quality, I've setup my Pandora to feed an M-Audio MobilePre USB. I'm using 1/4" unbalanced outputs that terminate to RCA inputs into my Alpine MRV-F450 amp. Subjectively, this setup sounds better than my old setup. I replaced an Alpine CDA-7892 in the old setup with the Pandora and M-Audio soundcard.

A benefit of the soundcard I have is phantom-powered XLR mic inputs. It's easy to plug in a good mic for RTA testing on the computer. Good soundcard overall. I've been meaning to test the output Voltage...just haven't gotten around to it yet.

scott_fx · 03-22-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

I guess my concern is finding out about the quality of the components of these cards vs. the alpine...wonder how we could find that out...lol

i just talked to my buddy who does a lot of music stuff; who just happens to be have two very famous relatives in the music industry, and he has used m-audio for the last six years and loves them. he is also a computer geek too, always building bad *** systems so i respect his opinion.

scott_fx · 03-23-2006, 02:02 AM

i know this is getting kind of offtopic...with soundcards an everything but i think the two are closely related so i'm just going to try to help everyone with a 'total solution'

this site explains some more on converting balanced to unbalanced signals:
http://www.dplay.com/dv/balance/balance.html

i think doing it this way will give you guys a ~4 vrms signal to the amps. anyone see why this shouldnt be the case?

@red:and another thing on m-audio cards, i talked to one of the technical directors at work; who is into audio and amazingly intelligent, and he said that m-audio makes really great products (then we went on to talking about signal voltages and balanced/unbalanced mumbo jumbo)

oh and here is a good write up on the m-audio's competition:
http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/...820/index.html

RedGTiVR6 · 03-23-2006, 08:21 AM

the M-Audio cards have been bmentioned quite a bit around here as alternatives to Sound Blasters....just that in my situation, they don't work....but the next situation may be different!

3onDubs · 03-23-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

the M-Audio cards have been bmentioned quite a bit around here as alternatives to Sound Blasters....just that in my situation, they don't work....but the next situation may be different!

ssshhh....the alpine will hear you and be very upset....

scott_fx · 03-23-2006, 11:16 AM

@3ondubs: ha...mines going to be ****ed, i just picked up an m-audio card on ebay to test out. Looks like my 701 is going to be up for sale

@red: is it the balanced/unbalanced thing that wont work for you? I sent out a few emails to see if there was a way around that (through the cabling) that will get you a 4v unbalanced signal for a balanced line. if not...woops nevermind

RedGTiVR6 · 03-23-2006, 11:39 AM

nah - I needed a PCMCIA card with an optic out.

since I'm not running my computer in a case I don't have anything to secure a PCI card to, much less will I have the height necessary to put on in...lol

scott_fx · 03-23-2006, 11:44 AM

oh! crap! look into 'digi design' stuff, they may have a solution for you. they are the hardware manufacturer for pro-tools setups. if i have a chance today i'll look into it too.

i KNOW you KNOW this...but a 90 degree pci adapter wont help you? thats what i'm using and it doesnt cost that much in vertical height. I snuck my last card uner the xtant shroud. As far as securing it...well i know you can figure something out, fabrication doesnt seem to be a weekness for you. I just made a 'bridge' that i could bolt the horizontal board to and it's pretty secure.