Any advances on the E-MU 0404 USB 2.0?

[shanx99]

Hello to all and can I just thank Tweakheadz for such an amazingly helpful site. I have learnt all my (limited!) knowledge of computer recording from here.

Basically Im wanting to set up a rig to be used between a
1.8 GHz pentium 4, 512Mb RAM, 20 Gb HD laptop and
a 1.8 GHz AMD Athlon 256Mb RAM Desktop, 120 GB HD.

The rig will be primarily to record vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass and in the future I hope to add drums, strings, piano via midi.

Given I want to use the rig primarily on my laptop, portability seems to be key and so PCI is out as an audio card. The firewire port on my laptop is the older version and its USB ports are only 1.1. I do however have a USB 2.0 PCMCIA adapter and so I am thinking a USB 2.0 audio interface is the way to go. (does anyone know if running the USB through PCMCIA s a compromise in speed?)

One interface that has caught my attention is the EMU 0404, is this a resonable device? Its seems faster with USB 2.0, has Hi-Z inputs for my mic, bass and elec guitar directly and also the midi for future use., I have read mixed reviews and heard about the curses of USB interfaces but this one doesnt seem to have the related issues of latency etc.

To summarise I would just like to know:

1. are any other options given my computer hardware/recording wishes?

2. is the EMU 0404 seems a reasonable choice given my budget (£150/$200).

3. USB a feasable option? Have the previous problems in general been ironed out?

4. Would Cubase SX3 work ok with the EMU 0404?

5. Any better suggestions than an SM57 concerning mics in the same price range?

A big thanks in advance, and sorry for so many questions!

Cheers,

David

[Martinmax]

man why to go with usb if your budget is 200$ you can gat Emu 1212m with is better sound card

[shanx99]

Why not go for the Emu 1212? Its it a PCI card which therefore is no use with my laptop. Also the 0404 has XLR and Hi-Z for putting guitars directly in.

Am I really compromising so much by going down the USB route?

Cheers

David

[terry]

shanx99
what model laptop. im assuming you have a pcmcia slot and you do have a usb 2.0 or if your fire wire is at least 400 Then your options are wide open. and you might want to add at least more ram. as far as what you are looking at give it a shot. run it threw it paces. if it does not work for you in a short amont of time return it, I had once bought a k-8 every body told me it was the greatest thing since slice bread. boy were they wrong. With out going back and rereading your post im also assuming you have read tweaks guide I wish did before i pick up the k-8

[lilguitar]

Shanx99

I'm considering the emu 0404 usb also for the same reasons you are. I don't think many people have tried it and everytime I look the unit is sold out even now at zZounds. The other thing is that I think most people are confusing it with the 0404 PCI and don't realize that this is the new 0404 USB. Of couse the 1212M would be better than the 0404 PCI...but thats not what we're talking about.

I like that the 0404 USB has a pre-amp rated at -127db EIN. The FMR RNP is rated at -120db, so I'm really curious how the EMUs pre-amp compares. If you consider that the price is 1/2 of what a RNP costs this alone is a huge plus when you combine the fact that the A/D, D/A converters for the EMU are 113db to 117db versus 120db from the 1212M. Only a difference of 3-7db. So IMO that's almost a 2 for 1 with the 0404 USB with a small trade off for converters...on paper of course. I might just take the plunge and buy one, just so I can review the darn thing.

I think the USB would be fine considering that like you, I am only going to be recording 1 or 2 inputs at a time as well, your system should not get bogged down with that at all. The faster PCI and Firewire are better for transfering large amounts of data which you're just not gonna have with two inputs. People reading this post should consider that. Sure if you think long term, you may want to think about something with more inputs, but for me this works.

Good luck, if anyone has any experience with the 0404 USB please add a line or two.

[gvox]

Yes I'm very very curious as to whether this is a good solution, I have one on order but am seriously considering dropping another $100 to get the TC Konnekt 8 instead!

[beast0rz]

I received one a while ago but my beloved guitar has been out of action due to me being a clumsy bastard so I've not really had a chance to do much with it.

To be perfectly honest, I'm fairly new to music technology (2nd year music tech student) so I don't think I'd be able to give it a very fair review, however I'm pretty happy with it. Simple to set up, very clean sound from the pre-amps and easy to use. I've not really noticed any problems with CPU use, but then again I've not really used it for anything too demanding yet.

So yeah... a bit of helpless info really!

[gvox]

hey beast any input on how ur 0404 is working is great, I dont know if anyone else here is using it, so at minimum *I'm* curious

Would you care to elaborate on your PC / setup, for point of reference sake?

[terry]

shanx99

Hey how about some feed back!

[beast0rz]

My set up is as follows:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (Venice)
A8N-E motherboard (nForce4 chipset)
1gb Samsung PC3200 DDR RAM (2x512mb)
160gb HDD (partitioned for dual booting)
400gb external Freecom HDD
Oh, EMU 0404 USB (obviously)

I'm dual booting Windows XP SP2 for normal and audio use and using Cubase SX3.

I mainly use Cubase for recording little tracks mainly just as a hobby, the main instrument I record is guitar which is either going through my guitar multieffects unit or being recorded clean and using Guitar Rig 2 software edition.

Like I say, I've not really had a chance to properly test out the 0404 yet. Before for recording guitar I was using a Creative Audigy SE with ASIO4ALL and simply plugged my multieffects unit (Korg AX1500G) into the line input, so since using a proper pre-amp the clearness of the guitar sound was amazing in comparison.

[terry]

beast0rz

I would have to say the 0404 is going to be one huge leap from the audigy se. I was using the audigy zs and noticed a big improvement when i up graded to my firebox. Not to get off topic what guitar are you using?

[beast0rz]

Haha yeah it is a bit of a leap!

I was using a Maverick F2 (now discontinued) but I managed to pop the truss rod out the back of the neck by accidentally standing on the headstock whilst half-asleep (not a clever move... -_-). However tomorrow/later on today I should be getting a Maverick F1 through which I managed to get at a pretty good price!

[terry]

beast0rz

I see, Did you have any issues plugging your Korg AX1500G pedals into the line in preamp of the emu 0404 like say feed back or a ton of noise? the only reason I ask is since I have a hellraiser with active pickups i can only use the line level inputs which by passes the preamp. I was wondering Now that I will be picking up my podxt live if it will no longer be a issue.

[beast0rz]

beast0rz

I see, Did you have any issues plugging your Korg AX1500G pedals into the line in preamp of the emu 0404 like say feed back or a ton of noise? the only reason I ask is since I have a hellraiser with active pickups i can only use the line level inputs which by passes the preamp. I was wondering Now that I will be picking up my podxt live if it will no longer be a issue.

I've had no issues with feedback or noise when using my Korg with the 0404usb.

[terry]

beast0rz

Well i Pick up my podxt live "I'm in love again" one of the feature it has on the pod is it has a pad switch that composites for active pickups on my guitar, wow I don't even need to even plug it into the fire box since it has a usb. also if i did i could only use line level inputs, now I'm beginning to wonder why did i even get the firebox especially the direction i will be going in anyways

[lilguitar]

Guys, I've just recieved my 0404usb last week and have only played with it a bit, but this thing is freakin QUIET!!! By quiet I mean the pre-amp. I sold my RNP and Bluetube DP and it is absolutely amazing at the difference. Of course before I was recording at 16bit vs 24bit, but even in the headphones it's quiet...not just on the mix.

Exactly what I've been looking for...I'm stoked!! I'm using Sonar for my software and recording my Taylor acoustic thru two SM81s and then vocals thru my RODE NT1A. My computer isn't even that new and has no probs running XP on an AMD 1.8GHz Athlon w/only 512Mb and I am having no problems recording two tracks simul. I haven't really had a chance to put the 0404 thru the ringer, but I am flippin impressed by the simplicity and top notch sound quality and clarity that this lil box is pumping out so far. More to follow...but I think this will be the low cost interface champion for 2007!!

[jon without an h]

I am using an 0404usb as well. I have had it about 1 month and haven't really got in depth with it yet but my impression so far is very good. I am using it with a Dell D820 and Sonar.

The build quality seems very solid, the unit is pleasantly heavy but not unwieldy. The Neutrik connectors on the front really hold on to your instrument cables! I have to give them a good yank to get them out, I don't really like that. I did have an issue with the first one I bought, the phantom power did not work, but I exchanged it and the new unit is completely functional.

The noise floor is quite low. The preamps are as good as you could expect for the price - I am using an external unit. The converters are also good, the sound is clear and crisp with no coloration that I can hear. I love the usability of the interface, the controls are quite intuitive. I am running XP x64 and the driver is very solid. I have not had any problems with dropout recording two tracks at once, the USB2.0 interface is performing great for me.

Well that's all I can think of to comment on, but feel free to follow up with any questions and I'll answer them as best I can!

[beast0rz]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone could help me. I also have an 0404 USB, however me being the clumsy disorganised moron I am I've managed to damage the drivers CD.

If anyone is able to, could someone possibly copy the files from the CD and upload them to somewhere for me, such as megaupload.com?

[beast0rz]

...nobody wants to help me out then?

[Tweak]

Why not go to the Emu website and download them?

[beast0rz]

They only have the Mac beta drivers available to download.

I've contacted them and they're asking for £8 (around $15-20) to mail me out a replacement CD. I don't have an issue with the money, I just think it's ridiculous that they don't have the drivers available to download.

I asked on the E-MU support forums and someone suggested trying to find someone with the drivers CD and asking them to rip it as an image file or searching around some of the more reputable torrent sites.

[terry]

beast0rz

Depending on where you got it from. GC sometimes has spare cd's leftover from their store use equipment. They might be able to help.

[beast0rz]

Cheers for the tip, but I ordered it online. We don't have Guitar Centre in the UK (atleast I don't think we do).

[terry]

beast0rz

Still the same check with your local stores that carry it and has it setup as a demo or has a open box or even better yet see if that store can contact manufactures area rep. to get one in most cases it wont cost you a thing they usually have spares.

[Mr.Johnny]

I have the cd with the drivers, I can get you that. pm me.