Using a pc as a sampler: what card?

cordura21 · 8th October 2003, 04:45 PM

Hey guys. I have a mac and I think I'll go the "pc as a sampler/softsynth" route. So I was thinking about what card should I use. I already have a Digi 001 on the mac, so the only card I know that would be ideal is the Terratec EWS88D. A friend also suggested the DSP 24 from ST Audio. The main featuresI want is multiple discrete digital out. Is it necessary to have midi on both to sync them or is there another way (maybe midi over ethernet?

Anyways, are there any other good cards that you can recommend for this setup? Thanks a lot. Andrés

Mr. Nice · 8th October 2003, 08:15 PM

I can just tell you what I was advised here on these forums, but you should know that I've got no experience with this set-up. Anyways, RME Hammerfall 9632 or 9652 seems to be a good option for the PC soundcard cause it has the ADAT ins and out which give you a substantial amount of channels to hook up to your 001, and it all has to be hooked or synced up with Midi. Steinberg offers some kind of VST systme link with there software whcih does something that you're looking to do much cleaner. they also recommend using the Hammerfall cards, not to mention that RME is supposedly 1 of or if not the most solid soundcard companies there is for both PC and MAC. Latency is something of an issue if you're hooking up 2 computers and with the case of the RME cards, they're the best.

Again, I'm telling you what I was told, but it seems to be the way to go.

GOOD LUCK!

cordura21 · 9th October 2003, 02:04 PM

I like the fact that RME cards work on both macs and pc , but Terratecs don't. I also heard the Terratec's analog out is not that great. But there seems to be a $200 difference in price. I'll be monitoring the card via the Digi 001 thru the optical in, so I don't care much about analog outs.
Thanks for the recommendation. I couldn't see clearly the difference between b/n the 9632 and the 9652, the RME site is a little complicated.
Any other recommendations?

Mr. Nice · 9th October 2003, 03:42 PM

The 9652 has an additional 8channels of ADAT in and 8 Channels Out, plus a WC input, output, I think, therefore the higher price. This only makes sense if the Digi001 has all this Adat ins, which I'm not so sure of. Also take a look at the Digi 96/8, which could be a bit cheaper and might be substantal enough for what you'd like to do.

Good Luck!

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8th October 2003, 04:45 PM	#1
cordura21 Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Argentina Posts: 39	Using a pc as a sampler: what card? Hey guys. I have a mac and I think I'll go the "pc as a sampler/softsynth" route. So I was thinking about what card should I use. I already have a Digi 001 on the mac, so the only card I know that would be ideal is the Terratec EWS88D. A friend also suggested the DSP 24 from ST Audio. The main featuresI want is multiple discrete digital out. Is it necessary to have midi on both to sync them or is there another way (maybe midi over ethernet? Anyways, are there any other good cards that you can recommend for this setup? Thanks a lot. Andrés

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8th October 2003, 08:15 PM	#2
Mr. Nice Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Jersey Posts: 537	I can just tell you what I was advised here on these forums, but you should know that I've got no experience with this set-up. Anyways, RME Hammerfall 9632 or 9652 seems to be a good option for the PC soundcard cause it has the ADAT ins and out which give you a substantial amount of channels to hook up to your 001, and it all has to be hooked or synced up with Midi. Steinberg offers some kind of VST systme link with there software whcih does something that you're looking to do much cleaner. they also recommend using the Hammerfall cards, not to mention that RME is supposedly 1 of or if not the most solid soundcard companies there is for both PC and MAC. Latency is something of an issue if you're hooking up 2 computers and with the case of the RME cards, they're the best. Again, I'm telling you what I was told, but it seems to be the way to go. GOOD LUCK!

9th October 2003, 02:04 PM	#3
cordura21 Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Argentina Posts: 39	I like the fact that RME cards work on both macs and pc , but Terratecs don't. I also heard the Terratec's analog out is not that great. But there seems to be a $200 difference in price. I'll be monitoring the card via the Digi 001 thru the optical in, so I don't care much about analog outs. Thanks for the recommendation. I couldn't see clearly the difference between b/n the 9632 and the 9652, the RME site is a little complicated. Any other recommendations?

9th October 2003, 03:42 PM	#4
Mr. Nice Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Jersey Posts: 537	The 9652 has an additional 8channels of ADAT in and 8 Channels Out, plus a WC input, output, I think, therefore the higher price. This only makes sense if the Digi001 has all this Adat ins, which I'm not so sure of. Also take a look at the Digi 96/8, which could be a bit cheaper and might be substantal enough for what you'd like to do. Good Luck!