Is my cheap soundcard holding me back?

euphoria89 · 3rd February 2009

Hi,

At the moment, i'm using an M-Audio Fast Track USB with PTMP8. For the moment, the recordings are done elsewhere, and mixed at mine.

I have some Tapco S8's (soon to be replaced with BM5A's) and use the phono outputs on the rear of the device.

Now i understand fairly well the conversion process (i think!) and was wondering something. The main outs from PT8 will need to be converted from Digital to Analog to go into my speakers. What i dont really understand is how much i will be affected (especially with new monitors) of the cheap converters inside the Fast Track.

At the moment the quality seems more than adaquate, but i'm wondering whether to save and get a decent firewire soundcard (need to eventually to actually do my own recordings) or a new computer as mine is struggling a little.

Thanks!
Nathan.

camerondye · 3rd February 2009

If you can afford something better...go for it, otherwise just mix great music with what you have which probably is just fine and don't sweat the small stuff. As long as you know how your mixes are/aren't translating, then you will accommodate which is what you'll do on any system for the most part (barring perfect room/best converters/best monitors/hand of god). I haven't heard about or of the Fast Track USB but M-Audio's products are usually fine.
cam

moon_unit · 3rd February 2009

Your room acoustics will hold you back a lot more than cheap converters.

euphoria89 · 3rd February 2009

Thanks guys.

As i only use this box for mixing, i didnt think it would make a massive difference to audio quality, but i didnt want to go ahead and buy some half decent monitors and then find out i need to get a decent soundcard/converters, as i cant afford it right now. However, i would use my money to get a soundcard now if it would actually make a noticable difference in quality to my audio chain, but now i think i'll wait.

Rob C · 6th February 2009

It's fine. You'll know when it's time to upgrade. Don't be in a rush to throw away gear that you already own unless you've come across some limitation that is hurting your mixes or your workflow. It'll happen eventually but it sounds like there's no need for you to open up your wallet just yet.

rty5150 · 6th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon_unit

Your room acoustics will hold you back a lot more than cheap converters.

yup, this is very true.

so, how is your room?

rich

mcballs · 6th February 2009

Maybe the converters on the m-box aren't bad, but I know that the difference between my old m-audio 2496 and my UA 2192 was HUGE. If you can afford it, go for it!

3rd February 2009	#1
euphoria89 Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Nottingham, UK Posts: 587 Thread Starter	Is my cheap soundcard holding me back? Hi, At the moment, i'm using an M-Audio Fast Track USB with PTMP8. For the moment, the recordings are done elsewhere, and mixed at mine. I have some Tapco S8's (soon to be replaced with BM5A's) and use the phono outputs on the rear of the device. Now i understand fairly well the conversion process (i think!) and was wondering something. The main outs from PT8 will need to be converted from Digital to Analog to go into my speakers. What i dont really understand is how much i will be affected (especially with new monitors) of the cheap converters inside the Fast Track. At the moment the quality seems more than adaquate, but i'm wondering whether to save and get a decent firewire soundcard (need to eventually to actually do my own recordings) or a new computer as mine is struggling a little. Thanks! Nathan.

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3rd February 2009	#2
camerondye Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 1,418	If you can afford something better...go for it, otherwise just mix great music with what you have which probably is just fine and don't sweat the small stuff. As long as you know how your mixes are/aren't translating, then you will accommodate which is what you'll do on any system for the most part (barring perfect room/best converters/best monitors/hand of god). I haven't heard about or of the Fast Track USB but M-Audio's products are usually fine. cam

3rd February 2009	#3
moon_unit Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Bucktown. Chicago, IL Posts: 926	Your room acoustics will hold you back a lot more than cheap converters.

6th February 2009	#5
Rob C Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Halifax, NS Posts: 181	It's fine. You'll know when it's time to upgrade. Don't be in a rush to throw away gear that you already own unless you've come across some limitation that is hurting your mixes or your workflow. It'll happen eventually but it sounds like there's no need for you to open up your wallet just yet.

6th February 2009	#7
mcballs Gear addict Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 377	Maybe the converters on the m-box aren't bad, but I know that the difference between my old m-audio 2496 and my UA 2192 was HUGE. If you can afford it, go for it!