which m-audio card?

[liquid boy]

hey i know a little bit about compter recording etc, and i've read in a few places that m-audio is good value for money.
i'm thinking of getting a card that can record 4 channels at once,
what's the difference between these m-audio cards:
-delta 44
-audiophile 2496
-audiophile 192

anyone who has used these could you tell me what the ups and downs are etc?
i'm going to start by guessing that the 192 has a 192khz sample rate?

cheers.

[bigwoody]

I am using a Delta 1010LT. It has 8 channels in (6 RCA and 2 XLR) and out (all RCA). Works great with my Acer 4200 Athlon. Really quiet, and no latency issues. It was around $200 at Musicians Friend. Since I have a 16 channel mixer, I also got an 8 channel snake with RCA to 1/4 and use 6 for inputs from individual channels and 2 XLR cables from the main R/L. I used the remaining 2 connections from the snake back to the mixer to monitor. The software 'mixer' that comes with the Delta is a tad tricky to get dialed in, but after some frustration I read the manual, and was rockin. Also of note the card has "pre-amps" for the two XLR's or you can switch them to line level. Since I have a mixer and wanted all the inputs the same I switched mine to line. The card has to be out of the machine so it is obviously easier to do ahead of time.

Of course if you don't have a mixer one of the others may be the way to go for the breakout box, but if you have a decent mixer I bet you would be happy with the 1010.

Just sharing my experience since you asked....for what its worth

[Rann]

the 24/96 won't record more than 2 external channels at a time (L/R), but that's all i needed when I bought it. If I had it to do over again, I'd go with the 1010. Other than that, I have no complaints.

peace,
r

[liquid boy]

so, if i'm wanting 4 inputs, i need to go for the delta44 then?

i got the impression from the m-audio that all three of those cards had 4 channels, mainly becuase of the "High-Definition 4-In/4-Out Audio".. .what does that mean if not 4 channels?

[bvesco]

The 4x4 for those other cards probably refers to the presence of stereo digital inputs in addition to the two analog inputs. That's why when you look at their 1010 interface there are only 8 inputs (the other two are S/PDIF).

[liquid boy]

ah i see. that clears it up.

oh, an other question,
hte delta44, the inputs are line-in, or are they mic jack inputs with pre-amps?

[roadpebble]

The Delta 44 has line-in inputs; however those are switchable between +4dB and -10dB signals. Most consumer gear runs at the -10dB level and pro gear is more likely to run at the +4dB level. Outputs from an audio mixer should fall into the +4dB catagory, whereas most gear with RCA outputs are going to be -10db. It is important to note that the Delta 44, Delta 66, and Delta 1010 do not have preamps. The Delta 1010LT does, however, have two, as was previously mentioned. Hence, if you use the Delta 44, 66, or 1010 you must have an external preamp. This is easily taken care of by an audio mixer. Any mixer with 4 sub-outputs would probably do great for you.

[bigwoody]

I do not use the "pre-amps" that came with my Delta 1010LT, as all my inputs come from my mixer. Another advandage of a mixer is most will have phantom power and when you go to a condenser you will need it.