Have 20-bit Echo card and not a lotta $$ -- should i upgrade?

[ian87]

howdy, 1st post!

so i'm running Cubase SX 2.0 + UAD-1 on a P4 tower, and my sound card is probably the weak link in my system: it's an older Echo Gina (20-bit, w/ breakout box). i'm only using the analog ins and outs.

my question is this: is upgrading to a newer 24-bit card the right move at this point? i don't have a ton of cash, so i'm looking for bang for the buck here.

thanks in advance for your help!

-ian

[bubba freaktree]

the echo mia midi is a nice sounding card for $199, but it's finicky about chipsets and stuff.

[finetunes]

I upgraded from a Gina 20 to a Gina 24. You're not going to get much improvement in sound quality.The Gina 20 is a great card. I only upgraded to get the headphone jack feature. I liked the drivers with the Gina 20 better than the 24.
Bubba

[ian87]

cool, thanks guys.

and bubba, that's exactly the info i was looking for. doesn't sound like a 24-bit card is gonna give me the bang for the buck i need at this point.

cheers!!

ian

[meblumen]

In terms of sound quality I don't think you'll really notice much of a difference between 24 and 20 bits, maybe you'll be able to get some more headroom but that would be the most discernable difference. Are you not happy with the quality of your recordings, do you need more I/O, what exactly are your reasons for wanting to make the upgrade? You mention you don't really have a lot of money to spend so I would recommend waiting and saving up instead of trying to stretch your limited funds for something that at the end of the day fit your budget but doesn't really fill your needs. If your not happy with the quality of your recordings you might want to take a look at other areas of your signal chain. What types of mics do you have, what about mic pres, outboard gear etc? I just think you'll notice a bigger difference by getting a better mic or mic pre which is something that wouldn't become obsolete like a a/d d/a converter which lies in a field in which changes and advances are still being made fairly rapidly. Regardless though, save up, buy the best you can and you won't regret it. I always say, do it once, do it right.