(Yet another) question on external sound cards

[Juan]

All right, I've been passively scouring forums and lists and whatnot for a couple of weeks now, and I still haven't decided on what's the best (linux-friendly) sound card for my needs, so I've decided to resort to you, guys.

At first I was resolute on buying an M-Audio Fast Track Pro, mainly because it was the first external card I saw (guess I hadn't been out much). In fact, the beauty of the interface was the whole reason I decided to set up a humble recording rig. Then I started toying with the idea of basing it on linux, and I began to read up on distributions, which led to reading up on other cards, which led to me being in the state I'm in now: cardless and utterly befuddled as to what to get.

I managed to narrow the list of candidates down, based on my budget and on the cards which are more or less readily available where I live. So the options are: a) the aforementioned M-Audio Fast Track Pro; b) the new (MKII) M-Audio Fast Track USB; c) a Focusrite Saffire 14 (I know it's a firewire device); d) a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB; and e) an Edirol UA-25ex (though that one's used and its condition seems far from mint).

As to what I need: I reckon the most I'll have to track down simultaneously for the time being is either two guitars or one guitar and one mic. Also, I've read bad things about M-Audio preamps and very good things about Focusrite preamps. What I'm wondering if that will make a noticeable difference, seeing as this would be my absolutely first experience with recording.

Anyway, bearing in mind those needs, and of course how possible/unnerving it would be to use those devices in linux, I'd greatly appreciate whatever advice you may give me.

Cheers.

[devilock76]

A couple of questions:

1. Do you already own other outboard gear with preamps, a mixer or other such things?
2. Is portability a concern?

Ken

[Juan]

A couple of questions:

1. Do you already own other outboard gear with preamps, a mixer or other such things?
2. Is portability a concern?

Ken

1. Nope. Well, just the one preamp in my electroacustic guitar.
2. Not a critical concern at the moment, as my rig is desktop based, though it would be nice to use the card with a laptop in the near future.

Thanks!

[devilock76]

In that case, and your needs, the edirol really is highly recommended from most of the users on here. From what I have read it is a good mix of quality and linux compatability. M-audio makes good gear as well but if it is USB 2.0 you are going to have problems.

Personally, I like firewire though so the saffire is high on my list, not sure of it's compatability. I use a presonus firepod as my interface.

Ken

[Pablo]

Before buying anything USB2 (like the UA25-EX in advanced mode) check the USB2 controllers. Many people are having problems with this one:

Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset USB2 Enhanced Host Controller

which seems to work in Windows but not in Linux, unfortunately.

Check with this command:

lspci |grep -i usb

Cheers, Pablo

[Juan]

Hola, Pablo:

Given my luck with hardware as of late, I was almost sure that was the controller I had, but lspci produced this:

00:1a.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation Cougar Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 (rev 04)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation Cougar Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 (rev 04)
03:00.0 USB Controller: NEC Corporation uPD720200 USB 3.0 Host Controller (rev 03)

Cheers.
PD: Also, thanks, Devilock76. I'll try and see if I can gather more information about the other devices before trying my luck with the used UA-25.

[autostatic]

Before buying anything USB2 (like the UA25-EX in advanced mode)...

Hello Pablo, the UA-25EX is a USB1.1 device.

Best,

Jeremy

[Pablo]

Hello Pablo, the UA-25EX is a USB1.1 device.

Hi Jeremy! Thanks for the clarification . I thought USB1.1 devices only could do 16bit/44,1KHz

[autostatic]

Hi Jeremy! Thanks for the clarification . I thought USB1.1 devices only could do 16bit/44,1KHz

They can do 48Khz 24bit full-duplex and if you want any higher sample rates you can only capture or playback. The UA-25(EX) hence has a knob on the back with which you can select capture or playback if you want to use the device @ 96Khz.

[Juan]

Well, it turns out the UA-25 was available where I live, only dismally advertised. I just came back from purchasing it and wanted to thank you all before plugging it in and start configuring it!

J.