alternative sound cards

monohouse · Nov 7, 2007, 11:24 AM

what are alternative sound cards that provide the level of control of the DSP as much as Kx provides for the creative's ?

is it E-mu 0404/0101 etc.. ?
is it RME 9632/9664 etc... ?

the reason that I do not want a creative card is because it sucks and it sucks because it is resamples the signal and forcing you to use high-quality (and therefor high cpu usage) resampling plugins to prevent signal damage due to improper hardware resampling) who wants to constantly struggle with their hardware working against them ? not me !

what are the options/alternatives available to me to keep the level of control of the DSP without needing to fight my own hardware ?

Max M. · Nov 8, 2007, 12:32 AM

>what are alternative sound cards that provide the level of control of the DSP as much as Kx provides for the creative's ?

it depends (as always)
to form your own opinion just download those soundcards manuals (they're all available) and take a look over what these cards offer.
Note also, that those RME cards (despite their "HDSP" titles say) provide none "control of DSP" at least in a way "kX" does it. These cards have a DSP (as well as most of others) but they use it only for internal "servicing" purposes (like mixing/routing etc.).
And those Emu-based cards (with their "DSP Effects") are actually only an exception (and to be honest, it is really a queer exception).

>what are the options/alternatives available to me to keep the level of control of the >DSP without needing to fight my own hardware ?

again, it depends on what exactly you need to "control" (if you are about quality - then the best card is the one that has no control at all)

[color=gray] And, well, do not forget - this is the kX forum - not "what soundcard should i buy?"

- there're tons of online resources where your query would be more productive[/color]

monohouse · Nov 10, 2007, 07:35 PM

ok then let's change it to "what sound cards have that which kx-supported ones don't" without loosing what kx has offered so far

Maddogg6 · Nov 10, 2007, 09:11 PM

sorry, it seems the motion is towards software (like VST's) PC hosted effects instead of dedicated hardware DSP for effects in DAW. (its cheaper for anything more than 16/48)

RME cards are great because of all the IO they are capable of - for a bunch of outboard effect rack units and/or recording an entire orchestra. But, from all I see on their site, theres no mention of user programmability of the DSP like kX/ CL cards offer.

Creamware (scope) and TC (powercore) both offered very powerful DSP cards, but it was my understanding you also had to pay for the plugins to use effects they were capable of... so... it seems CL/kX is very unique from what I can tell.

The industry is moving to; you having a multiple core CPU and use software effects. Or... dedicated hardware for limited purposes (rack effect units)

Considering kX is free (and little help from CL) , and CL cards are aimed at consumers.... I dunno... you get what you pay for... you expected more?? from a card marketed to gamers, thats what 10+ years old in design architecture... ?? (10 years ago, multi-CPU was for the dreamers only, now its almost common)

TravelRec. · Nov 13, 2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monohouse

the reason that I do not want a creative card is because it sucks and it sucks because it is resamples the signal and forcing you to use high-quality (and therefor high cpu usage) resampling plugins to prevent signal damage due to improper hardware resampling)....

Sorry, but are you really able to detect the difference with your ears? So... this is bad - I´m not able to do this and I´m happy with my Audigy cards and their great flexibility powered by kX!

Regards,
TravelRec.

Nov 7, 2007, 11:24 AM	#1
monohouse HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 60 Rep Power: 0	alternative sound cards what are alternative sound cards that provide the level of control of the DSP as much as Kx provides for the creative's ? is it E-mu 0404/0101 etc.. ? is it RME 9632/9664 etc... ? the reason that I do not want a creative card is because it sucks and it sucks because it is resamples the signal and forcing you to use high-quality (and therefor high cpu usage) resampling plugins to prevent signal damage due to improper hardware resampling) who wants to constantly struggle with their hardware working against them ? not me ! what are the options/alternatives available to me to keep the level of control of the DSP without needing to fight my own hardware ?

Nov 8, 2007, 12:32 AM	#2
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,639 Rep Power: 69	>what are alternative sound cards that provide the level of control of the DSP as much as Kx provides for the creative's ? it depends (as always) to form your own opinion just download those soundcards manuals (they're all available) and take a look over what these cards offer. Note also, that those RME cards (despite their "HDSP" titles say) provide none "control of DSP" at least in a way "kX" does it. These cards have a DSP (as well as most of others) but they use it only for internal "servicing" purposes (like mixing/routing etc.). And those Emu-based cards (with their "DSP Effects") are actually only an exception (and to be honest, it is really a queer exception). >what are the options/alternatives available to me to keep the level of control of the >DSP without needing to fight my own hardware ? again, it depends on what exactly you need to "control" (if you are about quality - then the best card is the one that has no control at all) [color=gray] And, well, do not forget - this is the kX forum - not "what soundcard should i buy?" - there're tons of online resources where your query would be more productive[/color] Last edited by Max M.; Nov 8, 2007 at 12:45 AM.

Nov 10, 2007, 07:35 PM	Thread Starter #3
monohouse HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 60 Rep Power: 0	ok then let's change it to "what sound cards have that which kx-supported ones don't" without loosing what kx has offered so far

Nov 10, 2007, 09:11 PM	#4
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	sorry, it seems the motion is towards software (like VST's) PC hosted effects instead of dedicated hardware DSP for effects in DAW. (its cheaper for anything more than 16/48) RME cards are great because of all the IO they are capable of - for a bunch of outboard effect rack units and/or recording an entire orchestra. But, from all I see on their site, theres no mention of user programmability of the DSP like kX/ CL cards offer. Creamware (scope) and TC (powercore) both offered very powerful DSP cards, but it was my understanding you also had to pay for the plugins to use effects they were capable of... so... it seems CL/kX is very unique from what I can tell. The industry is moving to; you having a multiple core CPU and use software effects. Or... dedicated hardware for limited purposes (rack effect units) Considering kX is free (and little help from CL) , and CL cards are aimed at consumers.... I dunno... you get what you pay for... you expected more?? from a card marketed to gamers, thats what 10+ years old in design architecture... ?? (10 years ago, multi-CPU was for the dreamers only, now its almost common)