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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616 |
I know this has been asked before, but everyone has different needs. My current card is a Sound Blast X-Fi (OEM) so I have always relied on some hacked drivers and apps, since I bought the card on eBay awhile back, and never though how Creative Labs treated people, who didn't buy their retail versions.
Anyway, I've been getting by, but every so often my MID gets out of sync with my audio (I have a Ketron SD4 which sounds great, but because I run it into the input of my SB (which might be a mike or a line-in, I can never really be sure) every time I reboot I get some nasty surprise like MIDI sounds playing double, or finding myself back in the Control Panel twiddling with the new Windows 7 bits (I really miss the old MIDI controls in previous versions of Windows.) It seems every time Microsoft SIMPLIFIES things I lose more control over what I used to have (like Default MIDI Device.)
Anyway, I would like a nice card (could be PCI or PCIe .. I have a slot of each left) that has a simple line-in (I have a USB mike) and a digital out (I would like to either buy digital speakers, or preferably send the out to the SPDIF in of my Stereo Amp.)
Any recommendations would be appreciated (I'd like to stay under $200 if possible.) I'd like to avoid Creative Labs, but if they are the only reasonable choice they'll get my money again...
Thanks!
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 35
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 35 |
The M-Audio Fast Track Pro if you want to go USB, I've been using it, sounds great, the bass guitar is faithfully reproduced fret noise and string growl is all there, voice and guitar sounds awesome and it comes with a killer VST guitar plugin that works with Reaper DAW and others.
I know it's creative but the E-MU 0404 pci is supposed to be great, I have not heard it but the guys on the Reaper forum seem to like it and you can find it for about $99.00 on Amazon
I have a question to, I would like to get more in's and out's and monitoring, has anyone used the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra? P.S. Jan I'm not sure about this one yet, still researching it, but it looks to have more pro home studio functions built in to it.
Warren
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,487
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,487 |
That'll probably be my next soundcard purchase (Fast Track Ultra). Others here have used it. Done a search? This thread was recent - http://www.pgmusic.com/ubbthreads/showfl...amp;Search=trueI have been impressed with this company's bang-per-buck for a while. They recently released drivers for Win 7 for my 'long in the tooth' Delta 1010. That's pretty good support in my eyes. Drivers for W98 thru Win 7 for that card still supported. Happy camper. The Ultra is giving me G.A.S. like I haven't had in quite a while.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616 |
I was looking at the M-Audio 2496 as a "pull-and-replace" PCI card. For $99 (free shipping) it seems very quiet, has a SPDIF out (actually 2) and rave reviews as a "Vanilla" audiophile card. I am pretty much done with SoundFonts (they were fun for a decade) and don't next EAX "Crystallizers" and other toys.
I have too many boxes hanging off the machine already to hang yet another USB device on it. The 2496 has been around since like 2006, and I hear few complaints (aside from newbies who don't know how to download a driver ..)
Anyone want to talk me out of it quick ?? I got an itchy PayPal finger .. especially < $100..
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I have had no problems with an M-Audio AP2406 card here, works fine with pgmusic products. I've had this card for a long time now. Good card.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,487
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,487 |
Except it's PCI
That's the only drawback. Look how many new systems support PCI (few)
It's a good soundcard, but future doesn't look good for support on newer systems.
That said, I still currently use a similar PCI card for main DAW. For the price it's a deal if you have a system that uses PCI and plan on staying with it for a bit. Just know PCI is on it's way out.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
E-MU jhas already released a PCIe version for some of their pro-sumer soundcards.
That's a good sign and I am hoping that Delta/M-Audio follows suit there.
PCIe just may solve a few bandwidth and other common problems for us, if implemented properly with good drivers.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,810
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,810 |
Quote:
Except it's PCI
That's the only drawback. Look how many new systems support PCI (few)
It's a good soundcard, but future doesn't look good for support on newer systems.
That said, I still currently use a similar PCI card for main DAW. For the price it's a deal if you have a system that uses PCI and plan on staying with it for a bit. Just know PCI is on it's way out.
My new Dell did have one PCI slot available for the older PCI cards. I picked up the Audiophle 192 and it works like on champ on Win 7 and the new Dell.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,487
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,487 |
Good to hear Jazzmandan.
I just grabbed the new win7 drivers for the 1010 also, but finding a system with the slot is the hard part. Glad they are still out there.
That said I may be looking at the Ultra just for future-proof. I think USB will be here a while.
Although I probably just jinxed it by saying that.
PCIe does have nice specs. And I do like having the card in a slot inside the system for some reason.
Another option.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
I have the 2496 in my computer. I have a couple of PCI slots, 4 PCI-e 16 and a couple of PCI-e x4s.
I have the Asus Xonar D2X, which I use as my main sound card, it also has S/PDIF In and Out, in a combo jack, allowing you to use either optical or coaxial, which I send to my receiver. However, the 2496 S/PDIF goes to my external A/D and D/A converters, and I have been very happy with the sound I get.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616 |
I went with the 2496 (my old X-Fi was PCI so it was direct swap.) I build my own machines, so I usually find a mobo with ONE PCI slot available. If they go away in the next couple years, I'm out 85 bucks .... That's the computer biz ...
I am VERY pleased with the sound. The software is not pretty, but I finally got it to play directly into proggies like Audacity and SoundForge directly from BIAB and RealBand (to keep from having to render all the time.)
I went with a Coaxial cable (just got it today) to the back of my harman/kardon AVR-45. It's a bit of an old unit, but does the job. I am not used to hearing NO hum !! I never knew what quiet was !!
Thanks for all the recommendations !
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
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Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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