Sound Blaster Audigy card - something worth while?

Rahl schrieb am 11.10.2001 um 04:04 Uhr
Today I purchased the new Sound Blaster Audigy and I will be testing it out with my Sonic Foundry programs. This new card seems to be a major upgrade over the live card. For starters it FINALLY has ASIO suport, and is a 24bit, 96khz/100db SNR. It also comes loaded with an IEEE 1394 compliant FireWire port, which is good for Vegas users. Here are the official specs from the site :

Stunning 24-bit multi-channel performance and 100dB SNR for high definition audio
Innovative EAX® ADVANCED HD™ technology delivers high definition audio environments for ultra-realistic gaming and enriched music effects
Fully integrated SB1394 (IEEE® 1394 compliant) ensures optimum performance for qualified products like DV Camcorders, digital audio players, external hard drives/high speed CD-RWs, and home entertainment equipment
Professional home recording studio with expanded front panel multi I/O connectivity, low latency ASIO™ support and bundled music creation tools
Tap into unprecedented high definition audio and extensive front panel connectivity with Sound Blaster® Audigy™ Platinum. You'll experience incredible audio clarity with 24-bit multi-channel 5.1 sound, and stunning 100dB SNR. The increased power of the Audigy chip enables EAX® ADVANCED HD™ to deliver a host of innovative high definition audio effects with next generation interactive 3D audio for gaming, and sophisticated effects for music. Front panel connectivity of the Audigy drive has the most comprehensive connectors for analog or digital devices including home-stereo receivers, Optical DATs, MIDI devices, and professional audio gear. You'll also have the advantage of high speed connectivity to SB1394™ qualified devices like DV Camcorders, digital audio players, and external hard drives/high speed CD-RWs.
For high definition audio entertainment with the most comprehensive device connectivity, get Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum!

I will be testing out the card to see if it is an effective and reliable card. I will try to keep people posted on whether the card becomes a nightmare, or is a step forward... So far, what are your opinions on the specs, and has anyone else tried this new product?

Kommentare

Rednroll schrieb am 11.10.2001 um 05:19 Uhr
How much did you pay for this card? Sound Blaster is known as a sound card for gamers. What makes you think, that all of a sudden they're gonna make a pro-audio soundcard worth buying? And if they did, it still won't be as good as a company that's been doing this for many years, like Echo, Delta, Sound-D,Korg, Pinnacle,and Hammerfall. So why would you gamble instead of going with a proven good quality sound card? I would say, if you paid 20 bucks for the card, then you got a good buy. Anymore than that you probably didn't make a wise decision. Hate to burst your bubble, but I usually laugh when someone says they have a Sound Blaster card and are doing Professional audio stuff. It's a definite Oxymoron.
Rahl schrieb am 11.10.2001 um 18:09 Uhr
The price for the soundcard was 127.48 US. To answer your second question, which was "What makes you think that all of a sudden they're gonna make a pro-audio soundcard worth buying?" Well I just want to add that maybe, just maybe there might be a diamond in the rough here. It would be great for a musician, audio engineer or any type of media freelancer to get a break from their wallets once in awhile.

Yes, I agree that Creative Labs have usually made great audio cards for gamers, but this one seems deemed otherwise with the inclusion of the firewire port. I mean, hey if you can connect a DV cam on a soundcard, I suppose they might be heading in the right direction. These days everything is native (MOTU etc. Even Digidesign is thinking of doing a native Firewire Pro Tools system), so I figure put the big buck in the system and purchase something similar to the MOTU 828 system. Then reap from the benefits later on with the new native architecture. (Oh and there’s a great editorial piece on native vs. DSP cards in October’s Electronic Musician. The editorial is entitled "What? A Card?")

Do I sound like an oxymoron that doesn't know what he's talking about? I really didn't think so... And to be honest I didn’t take offence at nothing you wrote. I don't believe I made a stupid decision, I believe (as a freelance writer and radio freelancer) that if I by chance discover flaws in the product... I won't shy way in writing them, and selling the article to a proper medium later on, and even including it in this particular forum.

Thanks for your opinion Rednroll, I value it...
djmd schrieb am 11.10.2001 um 19:54 Uhr
I think they certainly might be on to something here. I don't see why they couldn't be capable of pulling this off - I know a lot of people have had problems with the 'Live' but I'm from the school who thinks it was a leap beyond their older generation cards. Perhaps I'm just lucky...

I find it interesting however that they mention nothing about OHCI compliance on the 1394 port. Seems as if they've developed their "own" 1394 certification (big surprise there.) Luckily I have one of the handful of cameras - all canon - that is actually "SB1394 Certified." Seems like a waste to me! Perhaps they have big plans of 1394 products in the future, who knows.

If I hear good feedback about the card, I will probably get one. That way I can eliminate my standalone 1394 card and get the multi-IO box in the front. And what's this remote thing all about anyway?
Rahl schrieb am 11.10.2001 um 21:00 Uhr
From what I see from the webpage is that their Firewire scheme is to have some sort of product certification. Meaning that all Firewire products will work, but the SB1394 certification will assure people that this product works perfectly... Here's what they say about it.

The SB1394 Certification Program ensures optimal performance with SB1394 connectivity and 1394-equipped devices and overall ease of use for the consumers. We intend to help our customers make the best product and brand choices. The ultimate goal of the certification program is to guarantee trouble-free performance and installation, giving our customers the best digital entertainment experience possible.

Rednroll schrieb am 12.10.2001 um 01:09 Uhr
Instead of reading the specifications and statements directly from the Sound Blaster website why don't you read some non-bias reviews elsewhere? Of course they're gonna say, their stuff installs perfectly and is better than anything else you've ever seen.....They're trying to sell THEIR product!!! You think they're gonna say, "Hammerfall cards kick our ass in quality and price, but you'll want to buy ours because we said so?" Geez guys, common...get a clue. As for the NEW concept of having all these great features on the same card....you remember those combination Sound Cards and modems? How well did those work out for you? The same thing will happen to you here, you'll save $10 today so you can go spend $40 tomorrow. I prefer my devices seperate but equal with their own driver and IRQ and an ease of upgrading in the future.

Just some recommendations, let me know in the future how well the Sound Blaster consumer cards work out for you.
trockman schrieb am 12.10.2001 um 02:13 Uhr
Creative is very deceptive in their advertisng for this card. They claim 24/96 but omit to mention that this is only for playback - it still can only record at 16/48.
Rahl schrieb am 12.10.2001 um 03:05 Uhr
Before you bought your gear, did you check out the official website? Anyway, I will do a non biased test of the program myself. I mean, I am sure it has it's flaws... ANd I am not saying it's the best there is or anything... Anyway... I am going to do a lot of testing and let people know about the crap... I will checkout the 24/96 recording... Will let you know
Rahl schrieb am 12.10.2001 um 03:16 Uhr
You're right though, this is a 24bit listening experience... Flaw number one I suppose... Hey, I never said this card would be a God given gift... But I will support the fact that the inclusion of Firewire is a great start... Will write a full report on the card in the coming weeks and let you people now about the card...
JTelles schrieb am 12.10.2001 um 19:56 Uhr
While you are at it... Confirm if the A/D & D/A conversions are 16 bits only. That I find I REAL DRAWBACK...
stumacQ schrieb am 17.10.2001 um 00:28 Uhr
Hi ...

I don't think you can ever reasonably expect a "consumer-grade" card to compete in the same market as a "pro" card. That said, however, I would never take my Ferrari to the grocery store, or use it to pick up the kids from school.

I'll be buying an Audigy primarily for grunt work, and also to fill the void while I wait for my damn RME cards to get shipped! Sometimes it's nice to know that you CAN survive with a consumer card while you're waiting for the arrival of your Hammerfall.

The specs aren't fantastic, but look at the specs anyway: ASIO support? What other "consumer" card has that? None that I'm aware of. If you only need what the Audigy provides, then I think it's a great buy. If you need 3xADAT optical ins and 8x8 analog, get a Hammerfall.

It's just like that communist creed: "From each accordingly to his ability, to each according to his need."

At least, that's what I think.

Hmm ...

-=(stu.macQ)=-
DougHamm schrieb am 17.10.2001 um 04:00 Uhr
I've been looking at this card as well, hoping it's something that perhaps it ain't. One note about the firewire port - it's being touted by CL as the easiest answer to frag fests, and it ships with FireNet. So whether it can do everything else under the sun we expect it to, CL is still targeting this card for gamers.

Now...I'd love to have one of these AND another card in the same PC. Working flawlessly together, one for work and one for play. All for $150. Oh well.

-Doug
IceSwitch schrieb am 17.10.2001 um 20:09 Uhr
Well well, since when is Creative trying to take a dive into the pro circuit again. I remember, their first attempt on that was the AWE32 but that was their first and last attempt too.
No.. the Audigy is still a game card. It has a 32 bit
engine but creative screws that back for I don't have
and idea reason. It can decode 24 bit/96kHz signals tho.
First rule, that's normal, think on the Creative Sales
strategy. They first try to make many bucks with this audigy then create a new version that has indeed 24bit/96kHz recording support so, people back to the stores.

Would you use it for pro recording? nope, not at this moment.
Can Creative create a pro soundcard? Yes, IF they want.
Rahl schrieb am 17.10.2001 um 22:44 Uhr
So far I am kind of disappointed with the Audigy, but honestly I didn't expect much out of this card. I was hoping for a diamond in the rough, but it's nothing special besides the fact that it has the much-needed ASIO driver and the firewire port. I haven't had a chance to test the firewire port yet, but be assured I will...

So far my tests with the ASIO software on other programs such as Reason have been positive, but the real disappointment is that it can't record at 24bit/96khz... I guess this, I suppose, will fool many.

The Audigy card puts them in the right direction for multimedia, but as a professional audio card, it wouldn't be fair calling it average.

So far my verdict is... medium improvements over their last product the SBlive!, but we will only be able to call it a major upgrade when we finally get to record in 24bit/96khz. But for a consumer card… It’s the best one on the market far none!