M-Audio Duo USB

[logancircle]

Can anyone tell me if this unit sends 4 signals into computer? It looks like it has 2 phantom XLR ins and 2 1/4" line level ins, but I don't know if you can only send in either xlr OR the line level ones. Can you tell from this? Thanks. http://www.m-audio.com/products/m-audio/duo.php

[ottokbre]

from what I understand, it can only convert two channels at a time. however, it does have SPDIF if you already have tracks on some outboard piece of gear that is compatible.

The quattro offers four in, but only at 16bit, i think. the limitations of USB1.1

[markpar]

from what I understand, it can only convert two channels at a time. however, it does have SPDIF if you already have tracks on some outboard piece of gear that is compatible.

The quattro offers four in, but only at 16bit, i think. the limitations of USB1.1

You are correct on both assertions.

-mark

[ottokbre]

if the pre's are the same as the DPM3, it should be a clean little box tho.
that and MIDI make it a cool little workhorse for 2-fiddy.

[thearnicasync]

Hi. Thought I'd add to the Quattro specs referenced above. You can record four in and two out simultaneously at 24 bit. Your sample rate will be locked at 44100 (or maybe 48kHz), though. Don't even think about 96kHz, as you can only monitor two channels of 96, either incoming or outgoing.

Oh, you can only get four simul. i/o at 16 bit, 44100.

The other spec that doesn't get mentioned enough is that the drivers SUCK ASS.

[logancircle]

Dude, can you expand on the ass-sucking factor? Can you use other drivers?

[markpar]

Your sample rate will be locked at 44100 (or maybe 48kHz), though.

If it's USB 1.1, the sample rate can only be 44.1kHz.

-mark

[thearnicasync]

Re: Previous MarkPar posts

Maybe you know something I don't, but according to the control panel for the quattro you can have:

6 channels at 24 or 16/48 (4 in/2 out) higher latency
4 channels at 24 or 16/48 (2 in/2 out) lower latency
2 channels at 24 or 16/96 (2 out for DVD or something) high latency

Just an FYI.

Re: Sucky Drivers

They stagger, crap-out, and need relaunched every hour or so. They install poorly and take a week to settle in. Unistalling (to restall) is complicated and inevitably leads to redundant files that screw things up. I don't know, I had a delta 44 and it never had problems, except crapping out when using too many Waves/Magneto plugs. The new Waves 3.0 absolutely kills the drivers or the computer or both...I can't tell cause I don't really trust the computer message to indicate one or the other: "Drive too slow or system overload." What part of the system? The processor or the audio drivers.

BooHoo!!!!

[markpar]

Re: Previous MarkPar posts

Maybe you know something I don't, but according to the control panel for the quattro you can have:

6 channels at 24 or 16/48 (4 in/2 out) higher latency
4 channels at 24 or 16/48 (2 in/2 out) lower latency
2 channels at 24 or 16/96 (2 out for DVD or something) high latency

Hmmm.... I was under the impression that 44.1 is all you could do via USB. I could definitely be wrong.

Thanks for the clarification.

-mark

[thearnicasync]

For anyone interested, here's a link to Sound Device's data streaming notes for their USBPre (usb 1.1). There's an equation at the bottom you can adapt for 24 bit, 192kHz, or whatever. There's another great technote on the site that explains usb bandwidth in depth.

Here's the link: http://www.usbpre.com/datarates.htm

[cwileyriser]

I just got a Duo to use as a standalone AD converter with my Roland VS-1880 to test the theory that adding an outboard ADC would be the best thing I could do for my recordings. Plus it'll give me another couple of mic pres and a way to do computer recording sometime if I feel like fooling with that too (I guess I could expand to 32 or more tracks by using the 1880 and a computer MIDI'ed together - not that I've ever felt the need, but who knows...). When I get around to using it as an ADC later this week, I'll post my impressions here.

CWR
-----------------
(and since I've been seeing lots of drummer jokes, I'll give the drummers a break and bang on accordion players, which I'm allowed to do since I play in a band with an accordion player...)

Q: What do you call an accordion player with a beeper?


A: An optimist.

[logancircle]

So would I have trouble using the Quattro doing 4 or 6 simultaneous tracks onto PT or Cooledit if I use my PC with 1.1Ghz AMD Athlon processor with 512 RAM?

[thearnicasync]

You'll have a lot of trouble getting six tracks into your PC. There are only four inputs.

Suerte a ti...

That is, unelss you meant 4 in 2 out, in which case you'll be fine...

As far as your specific system, I'd suggest buying your Quattro somewhere you can return it if it sucks. I've been using one for a year...it's never failed me but it's sure been a pain!