EMU- 1820,1616m,1616,or 1212

[Crisis]

Out of those 4...... which ones the best, and which one should i get.....

emu1616m
http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=237&subcategory=239&product=15189

emu1616
http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=237&subcategory=239&product=15163

emu1212m
http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=237&subcategory=239&product=15759

emu1820
http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=237&subcategory=239&product=9870

[itsplayed]

Out of the list, I'd say that the 1616M is the best choice. Although the 1820 does have a few features that the 1616M does not....the 1616M does have better specs and can be used as either a fixed PCI interface or as a portable interface via cardbus adapter. The 1820 is also a discontinued product.

[poorsod]

Depends how much I/O you need too, obviously. The more ins you have the more instruments you can record at a time.

The 'M' in 1616M and 1212M refer to the AD/DA quality. They have a slightly higher SNR. The 1212M's onboard ADs are the best in the line, but it doesn't have a breakout box or a preamp which the 1616 and 1616M does.

Note that the entire line is modular from the 1010 digital card. That is, the 1212M is the 1010 card and the 0202 daughter I/O card. The 1616M is the 1010 card and the Microdock-M breakout box. The 1820 is the 1010 card and the breakout.

So if you buy the 1212M for your PC, you can get a 1616M PC CARD-style for your laptop and move the breakout between the two. That's what I plan to do in the not-too-distant future, since I already have a 1212M but an unsatisfactory preamp.

[Crisis]

I dont think the 1820 is a discontinued product, but i know for sure the 1820M is.......


So one is saying 1616M the other 1212M...

Upping for more feed.

Which ones the best.

O and i just basically need an input for a microphone, possibly two.

__________
Im kinda leaning toward the 1616m

[passerby3141]

The 1616M may be the best buy if you do not already have any mic preamps or a mixer, it would have everything you need to record and monitor all in one package.

[itsplayed]

Although the 1820 can still be gotten, it is a discontinued product. The 1212M and the 1616M share the same base card, thus the 1212M can be upgraded to the 1616M with the purchase of an microdock. If you don't need the extra midi I/O, mic preamps, headphone amp or phono input and don't plan on doing surround mixing, the 1212M is a good call. I have both the 1212M(v1) and the 1820M.

[monnie101]

I bought the 1616 even though I was originally just needing a few inputs, because I know I can make use of the others and that in the future I might like to record live sound like bands. I thought about getting the m version but I thought since it's not for a real working studio and I'm not going to be doing professional work for others that I would be ok with the plain 1616. In the long run I'm saving money because I was going to spend $200 on a card, then later on when i needed more imputs I'd be spending more money for a seperate card or boxes.


If you just need a mic input then the 1616/m would be a waste. If your looking for a good value with lots of features you may use in the future then go for the 1616 or 1616m. You can hookup a turntable straight to it without an external mixer wich is very kool. It's got that ground and everything.

I was just going to ask about the laptop card because eventually I'm going to want to go live. So that is great to hear that all I have to do is by the card and use it with my current breakout box. That's a great option.

Crisis, check out my thread on the 1616 if you haven't yet. I'll have a video up soon.

[Crisis]

^ Awsome ill be waiting for the video.

[monnie101]

It's up :)

UnBoxing the E-mu 1616
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9TDe-O95rE

[jmail]

monnie101, I like that knife you use there, almost makes it look like a psycho movie, what with the lighting and all... Alfred Hitchcock and all... lolol

You mention Patchmix being confusing, so check out the SOS Patchmix Article (http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov05/articles/emupatchmix.htm) for some great enlightenment.

Also, as for rack-mounting the breakout box, you can use a universal shelf and even fit some of the smaller pre-amp or effects boxes next to it in the same rack space...