E-Mu 0404 Interface. Too good to be true?

by **burnisgood** on Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:28 am

Ok so just when I have made up my mind on what interface to get along comes this beauty. With my lack of knowledge though is it simply too good to be true because at the price (£149 - $199 in USA) it really does have a lot of spec.

http://www.zzounds.com/a--3745/item--EMU0404

The thing is it has exactly what I am looking for. I won't need much more than what it has and the software bundle seems like it has everything. Even if they are the lite versions.

So does anyone already own one? Is it really that good for that price? I hope so!!

by **sync** on Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:35 pm

I've been contemplating getting one also. It looks like it could be a really nice unit but I also would like to read a review.

by **John Force** on Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:17 pm

Ive been quite happy with mine for quite some time. But...im not really trying to do professional sounding recordings either, just song scratch pads pretty much.

I havent had any problems with stability thats for sure, not one single problem.....in around 2 years. Running xp sp1 and sp2.

The drawbacks (to me) it doesnt have any balanced 1/4 or xlr ins, just unbalanced 1/4 ins and digital.

The patchmix mixer (software) is kinda weird at first, but once you get used to it, it kinda cool. The provided effects ive found to be totally useless.

All in all, i would say for the price its a good beginner option, but if your running a mixer ide look for something that has some balanced inputs.

by **montsamu** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:27 am

Maybe I'm confused... the E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 does have balanced inputs and outputs... and was released this year...

by **Tweak** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 2:37 am

Yeah this is the NEW 404. There was a PCI 404 which is being discontinued.

Keep in mind its not been out yet. There could be issues with the initial releases

by **nanashiwanderer** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 2:39 am

I'm kinda glad they dropped the price on the EMU1212M
its a 150$ at the moment which makes it a steal for the people who can afford giving up two PCI Slots.

by **burnisgood** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:08 am

Ok cool.

If I were to bite the bullet and get the 1616 would my desktop be able to take it. Spec is really good but will the PCI fit?

Expansion Slots
PCI: 1 Slots
PCIe x1: 1 Slot
PCIe x16 (Graphics): 1 Slots

by **nanashiwanderer** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:21 am

The desktop 1616m isn't out. But in my opinion when you get into that price range just go firewire. The 1820M and 1212M won't fit. However There are lots of great firewire interfaces with similair I/O and digital Audio Converters in that price range 450-500$. And Specs are meaning less... Manufacturers have different methods of testing across the board. M-Audio, EMU,Motu, Presonus, Tacam,Roland,Echo, mackie are going to get similair quality a/d across the board. You only start seeing a noticable minor difference when you go into stuff like RME Fireface 800,Apogee Ensemble, Lynx and external AD/DA like Frontier Design's Tango. Then you go to full blown Premim A/D like apogees and RME's external stuff ect.

Yes PCI is faster, but most people don't seem to have problem streaming 16 channels at near 0 latency over firewire, provided they have a reasonabley fast computer (Tweaks PC DAW, which in todays world can be built for about 500$ in terms of hardwire accepting the SCSI Drives he chose in favor of more economical Seagate Perpendicular Recording SATA.

by **burnisgood** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:44 am

OK thanks that's a great respsonse. There really is so much to think about and so much choice!!!

I think it is out though. In England anyway?

http://www.turnkey.co.uk/web/productAct ... 1616%20PCI

But if my computer can't take it then nevermind eh!!!!

by **burnisgood** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:04 am

Could it take it?

by **burnisgood** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:05 am

The M-Audio 410 looks great as well but I really like the package that Emu give out.

by **nanashiwanderer** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:55 am

yeah from the looks of it if its a pc it could use the PCI version since it takes one PCI slot. Personally though I'd look into M-Audio Firewire 1814, the Tascam FW1804, TC Electronic Konnect 24D they all have similair I/O.
Save you a lot of hassle. You could easily use it with different computers since firewire is very plug in play.

by **sync** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:39 am

There are 5 ratings for the 0404 at Musicians Friend and it is rated very highly so far. The overall rating is 9.2.

by **burnisgood** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:31 am

Interesting. Thanks.

Maybe I should stop being slefish, buy it and review it myself!!!

Actually the only thing I have to compare it to is a Tascam Portastudio!!

by **John Force** on Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:31 pm

montsamu wrote:Maybe I'm confused... the E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 does have balanced inputs and outputs... and was released this year...

oops, guess i shoulda clicked on the link. Mine's the pci card version.

by **jon without an h** on Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:23 am

I have an 0404usb and am very happy with it. I posted a very brief review over in this thread. If anybody has any other questions about the interface I'll be happy to answer them as best I can!

E-Mu 0404 Interface. Too good to be true?

E-Mu 0404 Interface. Too good to be true?

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